Cultures all around the world believe in spirits that survive death to live in another realm. In fact, ghosts are among the most widely believed of paranormal phenomenon: Millions of people are interested in ghosts. It’s more than mere entertainment; A 2019 Ipsos poll found that 46% of Americans say they truly believe in ghosts. (The nation is discerning in its undead beliefs; only 7% of respondents said they believe in vampires).
And about 18% of people say they have either seen a ghost or been in one’s presence, according to a 2015 Pew Research study. Why do so many claim to have such brushes with the afterlife?
What Are Ghosts?
A common belief is that ghosts revisit places they knew in life, which is why so many people ask, “Is my house haunted?” before settling into a new home.
Grief can sometimes blur the line between a comforting presence and an actual ghost. When you sense the presence of a loved one who has passed, it’s often soothing—maybe you catch a familiar scent or see something that reminds you of them. But encountering a ghost can feel much more unsettling. Ghosts might stick around people or places they were close to because of “unfinished business” or unresolved trauma from their final moments.
For a lot of people, the word “ghost” conjures up one of two images: A menacing apparition that terrorizes unsuspecting homeowners, or a cute trick-or-treater covered in a white bed sheet.
Stereotypes aside, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a ghost as a “disembodied soul,” or the soul of someone who’s died that either lives in the spirit world or, somehow, still exists in ours.
Sherrie Dillard, medium and author of the book “I’m Still With You,” says it’s important to distinguish between ghosts and the spirits of loved ones who have passed on.
What does science say about ghosts?
From these beliefs, people may start to experience things like seeing ghosts. The bottom line?
“There’s a whole spectrum of different ghost experiences,” says Simmonds-Moore, “and some are easier to explain with basic psychology than others.”
However, she notes that there are cases where people report paranormal encounters and seem to gain knowledge they couldn’t have known beforehand. These experiences are harder to explain.
For example, some people visit places they’ve never been, yet somehow know specific details about events that happened there or what someone was wearing—information they shouldn’t logically have access to.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the classic idea of a ghost haunting a place,” Simmonds-Moore explains. “It could be that certain information is tied to a location, and some individuals are more attuned to picking up on it.”
Some people also report encountering deceased loved ones, especially during times of grief, which can be understandable given the emotional toll of loss.
“But there are cases where people might know a person has died before it’s been announced, or they see an apparition at the moment of someone’s death without knowing they had passed,” she adds. “Sometimes, they even know how the person died before anyone has told them.”
These rare and puzzling experiences can challenge normal explanations. Simmonds-Moore believes that while they don’t necessarily confirm the existence of traditional ghosts, they point to something else—perhaps an aspect of a person’s life or consciousness that lingers and can be accessed by others.
“Whether ghosts exist in the conventional sense or not, there are some very rare experiences that are hard to explain,” she says. “And those cases leave a big question mark.”
If Ghosts Are Real — What Do They Want?
When a loved one visits us after passing, Coffey explains, there can be several reasons for their presence.
“Sometimes they come because they love us and want to show that death isn’t the end—it just changes the relationship,” he says. “Other times, we call them up, and they can decide whether or not to interact with us. Often, they willingly bridge the gap between our worlds.”
Ghosts, however, may have different motives, according to Dillard.
“They’re drawn to strong emotional energy because they need it to sustain themselves,” she says. “Sometimes, they want to be acknowledged or recognized, seeking our emotional reaction. Whether it’s fear, stress, or something else, ghosts are after that emotional energy.”
Some ghosts may be looking for help, hoping someone will see them and guide them, while others—particularly those like poltergeists—have darker intentions. Unlike lost souls, these entities are drawn to negative energy, often found in places with a troubled or traumatic past.
“They generate immense fear, and for good reason. If objects are flying across the room, they could cause harm. Their presence is often only felt through fear and intimidation,” Dillard adds.
Even rarer are demonic spirits, like those depicted in films such as The Exorcist. While rare, Dillard asserts that such entities do exist. “They happen. There are documented cases,” she says.
The Difference Between Spirits and Ghosts
We often use the terms “spirits” and “ghosts” as if they mean the same thing, but I’ve always thought of spirits as having a loving, kind motive, while ghosts are associated with more malevolent or haunting intentions. However, technically speaking, that’s not entirely accurate.
Their Essence
Spirits are the souls of humans or other sentient beings (like animals) who have passed on, and they are manifestations of spiritual energy. They can interact with people and the physical world if they choose. Ghosts, on the other hand, are impressions of human energy—more like echoes in space and time. They often don’t interact with us and may not even realize they’re ghosts, unlike spirits, who are aware and active. So, you could say that ghosts lack consciousness, while spirits have it. That’s the key difference.
Because of this, ghosts are stuck in one place or moment, while spirits are free to move on.
Their Appearance and Atmosphere
In terms of appearance, both spirits and ghosts can look similar—if you can even see them, that is. They might show up as apparitions.
Personally, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a ghost or an apparition replaying energy through time. But I do think that in moments of deep grief or heartache, we can leave a strong imprint of energy on the world around us, whether we’re alive or not. This kind of energetic imprint is what some people may experience as a ghost.