Researchers in paranormal phenomena theorize that mental waves of energy, called psi waves, exist. These waves have been proposed to explain the process by which telepathy—mind-to-mind communication—works. Under this theory, during either intentional or unintentional telepathic communications, whether between two people, a person and an animal, or even a person and an extraterrestrial, waves from both minds spread in all directions around their sources and are eventually exchanged, though they might be distorted somewhat by various factors in the environment. (Believers in psi waves say this distortion can be minimized by intense concentration, as is produced during meditation or religious rituals.)

People who believe in psi waves liken them to waves in the electromagnetic spectrum, which can also be distorted and which also spread in all directions. Such people also say that both psi waves and some electromagnetic waves work at very low energy and are therefore difficult to discern. However, the presence of electromagnetic waves can be measured with various devices, whereas psi waves have never been detected.

SEE ALSO:

• Extrasensory Perception
• Telepathy

SOURCE:

The Greenhaven Encyclopedia of Paranormal Phenomena – written by Patricia D. Netzley © 2006 Gale, a part of Cengage Learning