When you hear strange noises in the middle of the night or see mysterious shadows moving through your home, it’s easy to jump to the conclusion that your house is haunted. While a haunting might be fun in a horror movie, it can be very disturbing in real life.
While many people have experienced paranormal activity in their homes, there are also a number of scientific explanations for these incidents. These include sleep paralysis, sensitivity to chemicals in building materials, variations in electromagnetic activity and structural faults. But there are some who believe that ghosts play a role in these cases as well.
A haunted house has often been described as a place filled with dust, cobwebs and creaking doors. It is also known to be cold and misty, and can feature a variety of unpleasant smells, including the scents of pipe tobacco and sulfur. It’s also possible for a ghost to try to get your attention through touch, such as a tug on the hair or a push on a staircase. In more negative situations, a ghost might be seen as a malicious poltergeist or even a violent apparition.
Haunted houses have been popular for centuries, with many historical sites displaying signs of supernatural activity. In the 1920s, professional haunted houses began to outspend non-profit organizations like the Jaycees and became a major industry. But after a tragic accident trapped and killed a group of teenagers at one of these attractions, politicians enacted stricter safety regulations, and the popularity of haunted houses declined.