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116-473: Released theatrically on October 26, 2001, the film grossed $ 68 million at the box office on a budget of $ 42 million and received generally negative reviews upon release. Ghost hunter Cyrus Kriticos and his psychic assistant Dennis Rafkin lead a team on a mission to capture a spirit called the Juggernaut. Several men, including Cyrus, are killed while the team can catch the ghost . Cyrus's nephew Arthur,

232-605: A 2016 reboot . The Ghostbusters concept was inspired by Aykroyd's fascination with the paranormal . The Conjuring is a 2013 American supernatural horror film directed by James Wan and written by Chad Hayes and Carey W. Hayes . It is the inaugural film in The Conjuring Universe franchise, in which Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga star as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren . Their purportedly real-life exploits inspired The Amityville Horror story and film franchise . In The Conjuring ,

348-528: A "demonic Speak & Spell" whose "phrases often sound like they were cherry picked from a John Carpenter flick". Ghost hunters use a variety of techniques and tools to investigate alleged paranormal activity. While there is no universal acceptance among ghost hunters of the following methodologies, a number of these are commonly used by ghost hunting groups. Ghost hunters may employ the assistance of psychics , mediums , or clairvoyants . Trance mediums and other " sensitive " individuals are thought to have

464-475: A "spooky home" in Worthington, Ohio , was occupied, a group of teenagers stepped on the edge of the property to explore. The homeowner fired on the teenagers' automobile as they were leaving, seriously injuring one. A woman hunting for ghosts was killed in a fall from a University of Toronto building. An offshoot of ghost hunting is the commercial ghost tour conducted by a local guide or tour operator who

580-612: A 1950 book, Harry Price: Biography of a Ghost Hunter by Paul Tabori. He was also a longstanding member of the Ghost Club based in London. Price joined the Society for Psychical Research (SPR) in 1920, and used his knowledge of stage magic to debunk fraudulent mediums. In 1922, he exposed the "spirit" photographer William Hope . In the same year he traveled to Germany with Eric Dingwall and investigated Willi Schneider at

696-701: A Department of Psychical Research, and to loan the equipment of the National Laboratory and its library. The University of London Board of Studies in Psychology responded positively to this proposal. Price had a number of public disputes with the SPR, most notably regarding professed medium Rudi Schneider . Price exposed Frederick Tansley Munnings , who claimed to produce the independent "spirit" voices of Julius Caesar , Dan Leno , Hawley Harvey Crippen and King Henry VIII . Price also invented and used

812-439: A background in science that the methods used are both illogical and unscientific". Anyone can be a ghost investigator, "failing to consider alternative explanations for anomalous… phenomena", considering emotions and feelings as "evidence of ghostly encounters". "Improper and unscientific investigation methods" for example "using unproven tools and equipment", "sampling errors", "ineffectively using recording devices" and "focusing on

928-413: A cause that can be fixed, such as low blood sugar , alcohol withdrawal , high fever , recent stroke , and recent head trauma . Unprovoked seizures have no clear cause or fixable cause. Examples include past strokes, brain tumors, brain vessel malformations, and genetic disorders. If no cause is found, it is called an idiopathic seizure. After a first unprovoked seizure, the chance of experiencing

1044-403: A complete blood count that may show infection. A comprehensive metabolic panel is ordered to rule out abnormal sugar levels (hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia) or electrolyte abnormalities (such as hyponatremia) as a cause. A lumbar puncture is mainly done if there is reason to believe infection or inflammation of the nervous system is occurring. Toxicology screening is also mainly done if history

1160-596: A ghost in death?" are left underexplored. Additionally, Hill gives a historiography of the field of "modern paranormal interest: monsters , UFOs , and ghosts." Hill does not insult or ridicule the people she writes about, but explains their stories through case studies. Regal feels that this book will not deter believers in the paranormal, but it is an important part of a "growing literature on amateur paranormal research". Regal states that paranormal researchers are not engaging in scientific discovery but rather in "blithely in confirmation bias , selective evidence compiling, and

1276-607: A ghost-catching business in New York City . Ghostbusters was released in the United States on June 8, 1984, and grossed 242 million USD in the United States and more than 295 million USD worldwide, making it the highest-grossing comedy film of its time. It launched a media franchise , which includes two sequels ( Ghostbusters II and Ghostbusters: Afterlife ), two animated television series ( The Real Ghostbusters and Extreme Ghostbusters ), video games , and

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1392-639: A group of paranormal investigators, parapsychologists , and a spiritual medium named Tangina Barrons ( Zelda Rubinstein ) in their efforts to assist the family. A reboot of the series, Poltergeist , was directed by Gil Kenan and released on May 22, 2015, that features the host of a paranormal-themed TV show who comes to the aid of the family. Ghostbusters is a 1984 American fantasy comedy film produced and directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis . It stars Bill Murray , Aykroyd and Ramis as Peter Venkman , Ray Stantz and Egon Spengler , eccentric parapsychologists who start

1508-405: A low risk of re-occurrence, but have a higher risk of death compared to those with epilepsy. Approximately 8–10% of people will experience an epileptic seizure during their lifetime. In adults, the risk of seizure recurrence within the five years following a new-onset seizure is 35%; the risk rises to 75% in persons who have had a second seizure. In children, the risk of seizure recurrence within

1624-527: A mote of dust or other particle, and are especially common with modern compact and ultra-compact digital cameras . Ghost Hunters features the activities of a Warwick, Rhode Island , ghost hunting group called The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS). Since 2004, the program has garnered some of the highest ratings of any Syfy network programming, presenting a mix of paranormal investigation and interpersonal drama. It has since been syndicated on NBCUniversal sister cable channel Oxygen and also airs on

1740-413: A number of causes. Seizures can be classified into provoked or unprovoked. Provoked seizures have a cause that is temporary and reversible. They are also known as Acute Symptomatic Seizures as they occur closely after the injury. Unprovoked seizures do not have a known cause or the cause is not reversible. Unprovoked seizures are typically considered epilepsy and treated as epilepsy. Of those who have

1856-407: A pair of spectral glasses that allow the wearer to see the supernatural realm to avoid the ghosts. The Jackal, one of the most dangerous ghosts, attacks Kathy and Arthur, but they are saved by Kalina Oretzia, a spirit liberator attempting to free the ghosts. Kathy disappears. The four adults gather in the library, where Arthur learns that Jean's ghost is also in the house. Kalina explains that the house

1972-399: A person spacing out for a few seconds ( absence seizures ). Most seizures last less than two minutes. They are then followed by confusion/drowsiness before the person returns to normal. If a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, it is a medical emergency ( status epilepticus ) and needs immediate treatment. Seizures can be classified as provoked or unprovoked. Provoked seizures have

2088-657: A picture is taken, sometimes it may be bugs or water droplets. He contends that "there are no plausible hypotheses that describe the mechanism by which a person who dies will become a hovering ball of light that appears on film but is invisible to the eye." He does not believe there is any science behind these beliefs; if there were, then there would be some kind of discussion of who, what and why this can happen. In his investigations he can not find any "plausible hypothesis" that orbs are anything paranormal. Science writer Sharon Hill reviewed over 1,000 "amateur research and investigation groups" (ARIGs), writing that "879 identified with

2204-569: A piece of apparatus known as a "voice control recorder" and proved that all the voices were those of Munnings. In 1928, Munnings admitted fraud and sold his confessions to a Sunday newspaper . In 1933, Frank Decker was investigated by Price at the National Laboratory of Psychical Research . Under strict scientific controls that Price contrived, Decker failed to produce any phenomena at all. Price's psychical research continued with investigations into Karachi's Indian rope trick and

2320-628: A risk of causing epilepsy. Infection with the pork tapeworm , which can cause neurocysticercosis , is the cause of up to half of epilepsy cases in areas of the world where the parasite is common. Meningitis and encephalitis also carry the risk of causing long-term epilepsy as well. During childhood, well-defined epilepsy syndromes are generally seen. Examples include Dravet Syndrome , Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome , and Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy . Neurons function by either being excited or inhibited. Excited neurons fire electrical charges while inhibited neurons are prevented from firing. The balance of

2436-409: A second one is about 40% within 2 years. People with repeated unprovoked seizures are diagnosed with epilepsy . Doctors assess a seizure by first ruling out other conditions that look similar to seizures, such as fainting and strokes. This includes taking a detailed history and ordering blood tests. They may also order an electroencephalogram (EEG) and brain imaging (CT and/or MRI). If it

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2552-445: A seizure for a prolonged time. Other conditions that commonly get mistaken for a seizure include syncope , psychogenic nonepileptic seizures , cardiac arrhythmias , migraine headaches , and stroke / transient ischemic attacks . There are times when a person has never had a seizure but anti-seizure medications are started to prevent seizures in those at risk. Following traumatic brain injury , anti-seizure medications decrease

2668-409: A seizure have such a bite. Weakness of one limb or asymmetric reflexes are also signs a seizure just occurred. Presence of urinary incontinence or fecal incontinence also strongly suggests a seizure occurred. However, most people who have had a seizure will have a normal physical exam. Blood tests can determine if there are any reversible causes of the seizure (provoked seizures). This includes

2784-898: A seizure, about 25% have epilepsy . Those with epilepsy may have certain triggers that they know cause seizures to occur, including emotional stress, sleep deprivation, and flickering lights. Dehydration can trigger epileptic seizures by changing electrolyte balances. Low blood sugar, low blood sodium , high blood sugar , high blood sodium , low blood calcium , high blood urea , and low blood magnesium levels may cause seizures. Up to 9% of status epilepticus cases occur due to drug intoxication. Common drugs involved include antidepressants , stimulants ( cocaine ), and antihistamines . Withdrawal seizures commonly occur after prolonged alcohol or sedative use. In people who are at risk of developing epileptic seizures, common herbal medicines such as ephedra , ginkgo biloba and wormwood can provoke seizures. Systemic infection with high fever

2900-409: A successful series of sequels, all dealing with the paranormal and mysterious ghost sightings. Kinetic Games 's indie survival horror game sees the player(s) take on the role of ghost hunters contracted to explore various premises for ghosts. The game received a large influx of popularity after its September 2020 release due to many well-known Twitch streamers and YouTubers playing it, mainly for

3016-659: A survey conducted in October 2008 by the Associated Press and Ipsos , 34 percent of Americans say they believe in the existence of ghosts . Moreover, a Gallup poll conducted on June 6–8, 2005, showed that about one-third (32%) of Americans believe that ghosts exist, with belief declining with age. Having surveyed three countries (the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom), the poll also mentioned that more people believe in haunted houses than any of

3132-517: A team of paranormal investigators led by demonologist John Zaffis who investigate allegedly haunted locations in hopes of identifying and removing objects they believe can trigger supernatural activity. The objects are transported for eventual display in Zaffis's museum. The series premiered in 2011 on the Syfy cable television channel and was cancelled in 2013. Poltergeist is the original film in

3248-496: A treatment option. Epilepsy surgery is especially useful for those with focal seizures where the seizures are coming from a specific part of the brain. The amount of brain removed during the surgery depends on the extent of the brain involved in the seizures. It can range from just removing one lobe of the brain ( temporal lobectomy ) to disconnecting an entire side of the brain ( hemispherectomy ). The procedure can be curative, where seizures are eliminated completely. However, if it

3364-404: A widower, is informed by Cyrus's estate lawyer, Ben Moss, that he has inherited Cyrus' mansion. Financially insecure, Arthur decides to move there with his two children, Kathy and Bobby, and their nanny, Maggie. Dennis meets the family as they tour the mansion. The residence is made entirely of glass sheets inscribed with Latin phrases, which Dennis recognizes as barrier spells. He discovers that

3480-470: Is a common cause of seizures, especially in children. These are called febrile seizures and occur in 2–5% of children between the ages of six months and five years. Acute infection of the brain, such as encephalitis or meningitis are also causes of seizures. Acute stroke or brain bleed may lead to seizures. Stroke is the most common cause of seizures in the elderly population. Post-stroke seizures occur in 5-7% of those with ischemic strokes. It

3596-580: Is a former ghost hunter turned scientific skeptic. In May 2018, Kenny Biddle, a skeptical investigator of paranormal claims, spent a night in the White Hill Mansion in Fieldsboro, New Jersey , along with a group of fellow skeptics. The mansion, built in 1757, has traditionally been visited by many ghost hunting teams who claim to have experienced paranormal activity and communicate with spirits via EVPs while there. According to Biddle, many of

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3712-415: Is a machine powered by captive ghosts, allowing its users to see the past, present, and future. The only way to shut it down is by creating a 13th ghost from a sacrifice of love. Arthur realizes that he must become that ghost to save his children. Armed with the spectral glasses, Arthur and Dennis enter the basement to find the children. Dennis barricades Arthur behind a glass sheet for his protection. Dennis

3828-534: Is a person's first seizure and it was "provoked", or caused by another condition, treatment of the cause is usually enough to treat the seizure. If the seizure is "unprovoked", brain imaging is abnormal, and/or EEG is abnormal, start anti-seizure medications is generally recommmended. A seizure can last from a few seconds to 5 minutes. Once it reaches and passes 5 minutes, it is known as status epilepticus . Accidental urination ( urinary incontinence ), stool leaking ( fecal incontinence ), tongue biting, foaming of

3944-401: Is also important in evaluating risk for epilepsy. History regarding medication use, substance use, and alcohol use is important in determining a cause of the seizure. Most people are in a postictal state (drowsy or confused) following a seizure. A bite mark on the side of the tongue or bleeding from the mouth strongly indicates a seizure happened. But only a third of people who have had

4060-421: Is based on the type of seizure. Anti-seizure medications may be slowly stopped after a period of time if a person has just experienced one seizure and has not had anymore. The decision to stop anti-seizure medications should be discussed between the doctor and patient, weighing the benefits and risks. In severe cases where seizures are uncontrolled by at least two anti-seizure medications, brain surgery can be

4176-462: Is beaten to death by the Hammer and the Juggernaut, two other dangerous ghosts. It is revealed that Cyrus faked his death to lure Arthur to the house; Kalina is his partner and lover, revealed when she knocks Maggie unconscious with a large book and promptly kisses Cyrus upon his arrival. Cyrus has orchestrated the abduction of Kathy and Bobby so that Arthur will become the 13th ghost, which will not stop

4292-540: Is called recovery position . Timing of the seizure is also important. If a seizure is longer than five minutes, or there are two or more seizures occurring in five minutes, it is a medical emergency known as status epilepticus . Emergency services should be called. The first line medication for an actively seizing person is a benzodiazepine , with most guidelines recommending lorazepam . Diazepam and midazolam are alternatives. It may be given in IV if emergency services

4408-647: Is estimated to result in costs of US$ 1.7 billion or 0.5% of the GDP. They make up about 1% of emergency department visits (2% for emergency departments for children) in the United States. Scientific work into the prediction of epileptic seizures began in the 1970s. Several techniques and methods have been proposed, but evidence regarding their usefulness is still lacking. Two promising areas include: (1) gene therapy , and (2) seizure detection and seizure prediction . Gene therapy for epilepsy consists of employing vectors to deliver pieces of genetic material to areas of

4524-475: Is first rate, but 13 Ghosts is distinctly lacking in scares." On Metacritic , the film has a weighted average score of 30 out of 100, based on reviews from 24 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "C+" on an A+ to F scale. Ed Gonzalez of Slant Magazine rated the film two out of four stars, panning the film's lack of scares, and predictable plot twists. However, Gonzalez commended

4640-413: Is higher in those who experienced brain bleeds, with 10-16% risk in those patients. Recent traumatic brain injury may also lead to seizures. 1 to 5 of every 10 people who have had traumatic brain injury have experienced at least one seizure. Seizures may occur within 7 days of the injury (early posttraumatic seizure ) or after 7 days have passed (late posttraumatic seizure). Space-occupying lesions in

4756-498: Is loss of inhibitory neurons because they die due to the injury. The brain may also adapt and make new neuron connections that may be hyper-excitatory. Brief seizures, such as absence seizures lasting 5–10 seconds, do not cause observable brain damage. More prolonged seizures have a higher risk of neuronal death. Prolonged and recurrent seizures, such as status epilepticus, typically cause brain damage. Scarring of brain tissue ( gliosis ), neuronal death, and shrinking of areas of

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4872-446: Is not curative, it can be palliative that reduces the frequency of seizures but does not eliminate it. Helmets may be used to provide protection to the head during a seizure. Some claim that seizure response dogs , a form of service dog , can predict seizures. Evidence for this, however, is poor. Cannabis has also been used for the management of seizures that do not respond to anti-seizure medications. Research on its effectiveness

4988-422: Is not recommended. While both fever medications ( antipyretics) and anti-seizure medications reduce reoccurrence, the harmless nature of febrile seizures outweighs the risks of these medications. However, if it was a complex febrile seizure, EEG should be done. If EEG is abnormal, starting prophylactic anti-seizure medications is recommended. During an active seizure, the person seizing should be slowly laid on

5104-408: Is often a member of a local ghost-hunting or paranormal investigation group. Since both the tour operators and owners of the reportedly haunted properties share profits of such enterprises (admissions vary depending on the location, length and other aspects of the tour), some believe the claims of hauntings are exaggerated or fabricated in order to increase attendance. The city of Savannah, Georgia ,

5220-430: Is ongoing, but current research shows that it does reduce seizure frequency. A ketogenic diet or modified Atkins diet may help in those who have epilepsy who do not improve following typical treatments, with evidence for its effectiveness growing. Following a person's first seizure, they are legally not allowed to drive until they are seizure-free for a period of time. This period of time varies between states, but

5336-602: Is present. Rectal and intranasal forms also exist if a child has had seizures previously and was prescribed the rescue medication. If seizures continue, second-line therapy includes phenytoin , fosphenytoin , and phenobarbital . Levetiracetam or valproate may also be used. Starting anti-seizure medications is not typically recommended if it was a provoked seizure that can be corrected. Examples of causes of provoked seizures that can be corrected include low blood sugar, low blood sodium, febrile seizures in children, and substance/medication use. Starting anti-seizure medications

5452-520: Is quitting as their nanny. James Gunn performed rewrites to the script, but was uncredited. There were some reshoots that were filmed during September 11, 2001. While the backstories for nearly all the ghosts are not mentioned in the movie, they are hinted at and are explicitly described in the "Ghost Files", a special feature on the DVD, with Cyrus as the narrator. With a few exceptions, they seem to become more dangerous as their numbers increase. The film

5568-406: Is recommended to start anti-seizure medication. If a person has an unprovoked seizure, but physical exam is normal, EEG is normal, and brain imaging is normal, then anti-seizure medication may not be needed. The decision to start anti-seizure medications should be made after a discussion between the patient and doctor. In children with one simple febrile seizure , starting anti-seizure medications

5684-590: Is said to be the American city with the most ghost tours, having more than 31 as of 2003. Harry Price (1881–1948) was a British parapsychologist , psychic researcher and author who gained public prominence for his investigations into psychical phenomena and his exposing of fraudulent spiritualist mediums . He is best known for his well-publicized investigation of the purportedly haunted Borley Rectory in Essex , England. Price's exploits were given wide exposure in

5800-430: Is suggestive. Brain imaging by CT scan and MRI is recommended after a first seizure, especially if no provoking factors are discovered . It is done to detect structural problems inside the brain, such as tumors. MRI is generally the better imaging test, but CT scan is preferred when intracranial bleeding is suspected. Imaging may be done at a later point in time in those who return to their normal selves while in

5916-404: Is usually between 6 and 12 months. They are also cautioned against working at heights and swimming alone in case a seizure occurs. Following a first unprovoked seizure, the risk of more seizures in the next two years is around 40%. Starting anti-seizure medications reduces recurrence of seizures by 35% within the first two years. The greatest predictors of more seizures are problems either on

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6032-520: Is usually for those with medium to high risk of seizures re-occurring. This includes people with unprovoked seizures with abnormal brain imaging or abnormal EEG. It also includes those who have had more than one unprovoked seizure more than 24 hours apart. It is recommended to start with one anti-seizure medication. Another may be added if one is not enough to control the seizure occurrence. Approximately 70% of people can obtain full control with continuous use of medication. The type of medication used

6148-549: The Cornell Hospitality Quarterly in 2020 stated that "haunted tourism has allowed attractions like historic house museums as well as abandoned hospitals, schools and prisons 'to remain intact' or bring in the money needed to make necessary improvements". According to architectural historian Jen Levstik, revenues from haunted tourism can help fund historic preservation, "so long as the tours are also providing historically accurate information related to

6264-558: The Poltergeist trilogy , directed by Tobe Hooper , co-written by Steven Spielberg and released on June 4, 1982. The story focuses on the Freeling family, which consists of Steven ( Craig T. Nelson ), Diane ( JoBeth Williams ), Dana ( Dominique Dunne ), Robbie ( Oliver Robins ), and Carol Anne ( Heather O'Rourke ), who live in a California housing development called Cuesta Verde, which comes to be haunted by ghosts. The film depicts

6380-681: The Halloween season. The American entertainment web series BuzzFeed Unsolved included BuzzFeed Unsolved Supernatural episodes where hosts Shane Madej and Ryan Bergara discussed alleged ghosts, hauntings and demons, often seeking evidence of their existence. In 2019, Bergara and Madej left Buzzfeed to host a web series similar to Buzzfeed Unsolved Supernatural called Ghost Files in 2022, documenting their attempts to find evidence of supernatural beings and occurrences. Interest in ghost hunting has driven tourism to historical sites and locations claimed to be haunted. A study published in

6496-638: The backfire effect while all the time complaining that it is the other side doing it… They, like all of us, are ultimately not searching for ghosts… they are looking for themselves." Kenny Biddle is the Chief Investigator for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and writes a column for Skeptical Inquirer called A Closer Look (2018–present), on his use of scientific skepticism to investigate paranormal claims, which include ghost photography, ghost hunting equipment and psychic ability. Biddle

6612-793: The fire-walking abilities of Kuda Bux . In 1936, Price broadcast from a supposedly haunted manor house in Meopham , Kent for the BBC and published The Confessions of a Ghost-Hunter and The Haunting of Cashen's Gap . This year also saw the transfer of Price's library on permanent loan to the University of London (see external links), followed shortly by the laboratory and investigative equipment. In 1937, he conducted further televised experiments into fire-walking with Ahmed Hussain at Carshalton and Alexandra Palace , and also rented Borley Rectory for one year. The following year, Price re-established

6728-415: The history of allegedly haunted sites. Paranormal research dates back to the nineteenth century, with organizations such as the Society for Psychical Research investigating spiritual matters. Psychic researcher Harry Price published his Confessions of a Ghost-Hunter in 1936. Ghost hunting was popularized in the 2000s by television series such as Most Haunted and Ghost Hunters , combined with

6844-412: The scientific method . No scientific study has ever been able to confirm the existence of ghosts. Ghost hunting is considered a pseudoscience by the vast majority of educators, academics, science writers and skeptics. Science historian Brian Regal described ghost hunting as "an unorganized exercise in futility". Typically, a ghost-hunting team will attempt to collect "evidence" supporting

6960-443: The spiritualist era and early organizations founded to investigate paranormal phenomena, like London 's The Ghost Club and the Society for Psychical Research , but that modern investigations are unrelated to academic parapsychology . Potts writes that modern ghost hunting groups ignore the scientific method and instead follow a form of "techno- mysticism ". The popularity of ghost hunting has led to some injuries. Unaware that

7076-514: The 12 angry ghosts he and Cyrus captured are imprisoned in the house, held captive by the spells. As he warns Arthur, Moss unwittingly triggers a mechanism that seals the house and releases the ghosts. Moss dies when a set of sliding doors cut him in half. Bobby sees several of the ghosts, including the Withered Lover – his mother, Jean, who had died of injuries sustained in a house fire. He is knocked unconscious and dragged away. Dennis uses

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7192-538: The 1940s, Price concentrated on writing and the works The Most Haunted House in England , Poltergeist Over England and The End of Borley Rectory were all published. Price's friends included other debunkers of fraudulent mediums such as Harry Houdini and the journalist Ernest Palmer . Edward Warren Miney (1926–2006) and Lorraine Rita Warren (née Moran, 1927–2019) were American paranormal investigators and authors associated with prominent reports of haunting from

7308-617: The 1950s to the present. Edward was a World War II United States Navy veteran who became a self-taught and self-professed demonologist , author, and lecturer. Lorraine professes to be clairvoyant and a light trance medium who worked closely with her husband. In 1952, the Warrens founded the New England Society for Psychic Research , the oldest ghost hunting group in New England . They authored numerous books about

7424-484: The 1976 Amityville Horror case in which New York couple George and Kathy Lutz claimed that their house was haunted by a violent, demonic presence so intense that it eventually drove them out of their home. The Amityville Horror Conspiracy authors Stephen and Roxanne Kaplan characterized the case as a "hoax". Lorraine Warren told a reporter for The Express-Times newspaper that the Amityville Horror

7540-792: The Canadian cable network, OLN . In addition to their television venture, TAPS hosts a three-hour weekly radio show called Beyond Reality , operates a website where they share their stories, photographs, and ghost hunting videos with members. TAPS cast members also appear at lectures, conferences and public events. Ghost Adventures premiered in 2008 on the Travel Channel . The TV series features ghost hunters Zak Bagans , Nick Groff (seasons 1–10), Aaron Goodwin , Billy Tolley , and Jay Wasley as they investigate reportedly haunted locations hoping to collect visual or auditory evidence of paranormal activity . Haunted Collector features

7656-457: The EEG or on imaging of the brain. Those with normal EEG and normal physical exam following a first unprovoked seizure had less of risk of recurrence in the next two years, with a risk of 25%. In adults, after 6 months of being seizure-free after a first seizure, the risk of a subsequent seizure in the next year is less than 20% regardless of treatment. Those who have a seizure that is provoked have

7772-418: The Ghost Club, with himself as chairman, modernizing it and changing it from a spiritualist association to a group of more or less open-minded skeptics that gathered to discuss paranormal topics. He was also the first to admit women to the club. Price drafted a bill for the regulation of psychic practitioners, and in 1939, he organized a national telepathic test in the periodical John O'London's Weekly . During

7888-562: The Sacred Disease , who proposed that the source of epilepsy was from natural causes rather than supernatural ones. Early surgical treatment of epilepsy was primitive in Ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian medicine. The 19th century saw the rise of targeted surgery for the treatment of epileptic seizures, beginning in 1886 with localized resections performed by Sir Victor Horsley , a neurosurgeon in London. Another advancement

8004-650: The US, the film opened ranking 2nd behind K-PAX , making $ 15,165,355. It spent 10 weeks in the US box office, eventually making $ 41,867,960 domestically, and $ 68,467,960 worldwide. Reviews for Thirteen Ghosts were mostly negative. Praise was directed toward the production design but the film was criticized for its lack of scares and a number of strobe effects throughout that could induce seizures . It holds an approval rating of 19% on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes , based on 96 reviews with an average rating of 3.7/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "The production design

8120-580: The Warrens come to the assistance of the Perron family, who experience increasingly disturbing events in their farmhouse in Rhode Island in 1971. The Conjuring was released in the United States and Canada on July 19, 2013, and grossed over 319 million USD worldwide. A sequel, The Conjuring 2 , was released on June 10, 2016, and a prequel, Annabelle , directed by John R. Leonetti , written by Gary Dauberman and produced by Peter Safran and James Wan

8236-409: The ability to identify and make contact with spiritual entities. Demonologists , exorcists , and clergy may be brought in to say prayers , give blessings , or perform rituals for the purpose of cleansing a location of alleged ghosts , demons , poltergeists , or " negative energy ". Hunters may also collect local testimony and accounts about alleged hauntings, and research the history behind

8352-477: The anemic and shoddy scholarship of popular paranormal investigation, the public, unaware of the fundamental errors ARIGs make, can be persuaded by jargon and "sciencey" symbols. Hill sees the supernatural bias of such groups as an indication of how "far removed ARIG participants really are from the established scientific community". In Hill's 2017 book Scientifical Americans, reviewed by historian Brian Regal for Skeptical Inquirer magazine, Regal notes that

8468-434: The area; however, there are many natural explanations for rapid temperature variations within structures, and there is no scientifically confirmed evidence that spirit entities exist or can affect air temperatures. Some ghost hunters claim that circular artifacts appearing in photographs are spirits of the dead or other paranormal phenomena; however, such visual artifacts are a result of flash photography illuminating

8584-426: The art direction, while also stating it was underutilized. Roger Ebert praised the production values saying, "The production is first-rate...The physical look of the picture is splendid." However, he criticized the story, lack of interesting characters, loud soundtrack, and poor editing. In 2005 Ebert included it on his list of "Most Hated" films. In the years since its release and disappointing box office performance,

8700-511: The audio. Biddle subsequently reset the experiment and has offered a prize to ghost hunters for proof of their claim that they can obtain direct answers from spirits via EVP. Biddle has also criticized what he calls "paranormal gadgets" that are popular with ghost hunters, such as the Ovilus, a device designed to respond to electromagnetic field variations with words from a pre-programmed dictionary, which, according to Popular Mechanics resemble

8816-460: The book is particurarly timely, as it addresses an era when many people question the authority of science. Regal wonders why believers think that "untutored amateurs know more (and are more trustworthy) than professional scholars". He also asks why there is little discussion on "philosophical and theological aspects of their work". For instance, theoretical questions such as "What is a ghost?" and "Does one's religion in life determine if they can become

8932-496: The brain ( abscesses , tumours ) are one cause of unprovoked seizures. In people with brain tumours , the frequency of epilepsy depends on the location of the tumor in the cortical region . Abnormalities in blood vessels of the brain ( Arteriovenous malformation ) can also cause epilepsy. In babies and children, congenital brain abnormalities, such as lissencephaly or polymicrogyria , will also result in epilepsy. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in newborns will also predispose

9048-415: The brain ( atrophy ) are linked to recurrent seizures. These changes may lead to the development of epilepsy. Diagnosis of seizures involve gathering history, doing a physical exam, and ordering tests. These are done to classify the seizure and determine if the seizure is provoked or unprovoked. Events leading up to the seizure and what movements occurred during the seizure are important in classifying

9164-415: The brain that is affected. Focal seizures usually consist of motor symptoms or sensory symptoms. Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain and typically involve both sides of the body. They all involve a loss of consciousness and usually happen without warning. There are six main types of generalized seizures: tonic-clonic, tonic, clonic, myoclonic, absence, and atonic seizures. Seizures have

9280-443: The category of 'ghosts'". Hill reports that many groups used the terms "science" or "scientific" when describing themselves; however they overwhelmingly display neither understanding of nor adherence to scientific norms. Hill writes: ARIGs often promote their paranormalist viewpoint as scientifically based, especially in community presentations or lectures at educational facilities. While scientifically minded observers can readily spot

9396-491: The early 2000s. Many offer electromagnetic field (EMF) meters , infrared motion sensors and devices billed as "ghost detectors". The paranormal boom is such that some small ghost-hunting related businesses are enjoying increased profits through podcast and website advertising, books, DVDs , videos and other commercial enterprises. One ghost-hunting group called "A Midwest Haunting" based in Macomb, Illinois , reported that

9512-427: The emergency room. An electroencephalography (EEG) measures the brain's electrical activity. It is used in cases of first seizures that have no provoking factor, normal head imaging, and no prior history of head trauma. It will help determine the type of seizure or epilepsy syndrome present, as well as where the seizures are coming from if its focal. It is also used when a person has not returned to baseline after

9628-468: The existence of paranormal activity . Ghost hunters also refer to themselves as paranormal investigators . Ghost hunters use a variety of electronic devices, including EMF meters , digital thermometers , both handheld and static digital video cameras , including thermographic and night vision cameras , night vision goggles , and digital audio recorders . Other more traditional techniques are also used, such as conducting interviews and researching

9744-526: The film has gathered a prominent cult following, finding further success and more positive reception. Elvis Mitchell of The New York Times said of the film "what we're left with after the scares is just plain dumb." In August 2023, Dark Castle Entertainment announced that they're planning to make a Thirteen Ghosts series. Ghost hunting Ghost hunting is the process of investigating locations that are purportedly haunted by ghosts . The practice has been heavily criticized for its dismissal of

9860-441: The five years following a single unprovoked seizure is about 50%; the risk rises to about 80% after two unprovoked seizures. In the United States in 2011, seizures resulted in an estimated 1.6 million emergency department visits; approximately 400,000 of these visits were for new-onset seizures. Epileptic seizures were first described in an Akkadian text from 2000 B.C. Early reports of epilepsy often saw seizures and convulsions as

9976-429: The floor. Witnesses should not try to stop the convulsions or other movements. Potentially sharp or dangerous objects should be moved from the area around a person experiencing a seizure so that the individual is not hurt. Nothing should be placed in the person's mouth as it is a choking hazard. After the seizure, if the person is not fully conscious and alert, they should be turned to their side to prevent choking. This

10092-568: The ghost hunters claimed that the EVPs they obtained "were not just random responses; they were direct, intelligent responses to specific questions". To challenge these claims, Biddle's group conducted a controlled experiment: the group recorded audio while asking any spirits in the Mansion to help them in locating a small foam toy hidden somewhere on the premises by a third party. They asked direct questions, but no responses were detected during review of

10208-578: The history of the location... and not the phenomena". In his article for Skeptical Inquirer Radford concludes that ghost hunters should care about doing a truly scientific investigation: "I believe that if ghosts exist, they are important and deserve to be taken seriously. Most of the efforts to investigate ghosts so far have been badly flawed and unscientific – and, not surprisingly, fruitless." Although some ghost hunters believe orbs are of supernatural origin, skeptic Brian Dunning says that they are usually particles of dust that are reflected by light when

10324-451: The home of Baron Albert von Schrenck-Notzing in Munich . In 1923, Price exposed the medium Jan Guzyk . Price wrote that the photographs depicting the ectoplasm of the medium Eva Carrière taken with Schrenck-Notzing looked artificial and two-dimensional, made from cardboard and newspaper portraits and that there were no scientific controls as both her hands were free. In 1920 Carrière

10440-459: The increasing availability of high-tech equipment. The Atlantic Paranormal Society reported a doubling in their membership in the late 2000s, attributing this to the television programs. Despite its lack of acceptance in academic circles, the popularity of ghost-hunting reality TV shows has influenced a number of individuals to take up the pursuit. Small businesses offering ghost-hunting equipment and paranormal investigation services increased in

10556-432: The lack of inhibition of neurons resulting in seizures. Glutamate serves to excite neurons into firing when appropriate. It was found to be increased in those with epilepsy.  This is a possible mechanism for why there is hyper-excitability of neurons in seizures. Seizures that occur after brain injury may be due to the brain adapting to injury ( neuroplasticity ). This process is known as epileptogenesis . There

10672-428: The machine as Kalina had claimed but trigger its activation. Cyrus kills Kalina, who objected to Cyrus putting the children in danger and summons the ghosts to activate the machine. Arthur witnesses all 12 ghosts in the main hall orbiting a clockwork device of rotating metal rings, with his children at the center. He fights Cyrus while Maggie disrupts the machine's controls, releasing the ghosts from its power and causing

10788-410: The machine to go haywire. The ghosts hurl Cyrus into the moving rings, slicing him to pieces. With the encouragement of Dennis' ghost, Arthur jumps through the machine safely to protect his children. The house's walls shatter as the malfunctioning machine rips itself apart, freeing the ghosts. Jean's ghost tells them she loves them before she disappears. As the family departs, Maggie angrily declares she

10904-636: The more famous hauntings, such as Amityville and the Snedeker family haunting, did not happen and had been invented. Stories of ghosts and hauntings popularized by the Warrens have been adapted as or have indirectly inspired dozens of films, television series and documentaries, including 17 films in the Amityville Horror series and six films in The Conjuring Universe including Annabelle , Annabelle: Creation , and Annabelle Comes Home , spin-off prequels of The Conjuring . According to

11020-430: The mouth, and turning blue due to inability to breathe commonly are seen in seizures. A period of confusion typically follows the seizure that lasts from seconds to hours before a person returns to normal. This period is called a postictal period . Other symptoms during this period include drowsiness, headache, difficulty speaking, psychosis, and weakness. Observable signs and symptoms of seizures vary depending on

11136-626: The newborn to epilepsy. Strokes, brain bleeds, and traumatic brain injury can all also lead to epilepsy if seizures re-occur. If the first seizure occurs more than 7 days following a stroke, there is a higher chance of the person developing epilepsy. Post-stroke epilepsy accounts for 30%-50% of new epilepsy cases. This is also the case for traumatic brain injury, with 80% of people with late posttraumatic seizures having another seizure occur, classifying it as epilepsy. Infections of newborns that occur while before or during birth, such as herpes simplex virus , rubella , and cytomegalovirus , all carry

11252-414: The number of people taking its tours had tripled, jumping from about 600 in 2006 to 1,800 in 2008. Others, such as Marie Cuff of "Idaho Spirit Seekers" pointed to increased traffic on their websites and message boards as an indication that ghost hunting was becoming more accepted. Participants say that ghost hunting allows them to enjoy the friendship of like-minded people and actively pursue their interest in

11368-594: The other paranormal items tested, with 37% of Americans, 28% of Canadians, and 40% of Britons believing. In 2002, the National Science Foundation identified haunted houses, ghosts, and communication with the dead among pseudoscientific beliefs. Critics question ghost hunting's methodology, particularly its use of instrumentation, as there is no scientifically proven link between the existence of ghosts and cold spots or electromagnetic fields . According to skeptical investigator Joe Nickell ,

11484-624: The paranormal and about their private investigations into various reports of paranormal activity. They claimed to have investigated over 1,000 cases during their career, and have been involved with various supernatural claims such as the Snedeker family haunting, the Enfield Poltergeist and the Smurl haunting , as well as claims of demonic possession in the Trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson . The Warrens are best known for their involvement in

11600-469: The paranormal. According to Jim Willis of "Ghosts of Ohio", his group's membership had doubled, growing to 30 members since it was founded in 1999 and includes both true believers and total skeptics. Willis says his group is "looking for answers, one way or another" and that skepticism is a prerequisite for those who desire to be "taken seriously in this field." Author John Potts says that the present day pursuit of "amateur ghost hunting" can be traced back to

11716-432: The property [and] the humanity of the people at those properties, and not just the salacious things that can't be backed up beyond hearsay or rumor." Seizure A seizure is a sudden change in behavior, movement, and/or consciousness due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain . Seizures can look different in different people. It can be uncontrolled shaking of the whole body ( tonic-clonic seizures ) or

11832-764: The recorder, EMF detectors can be set off by faulty wiring, microwave towers, iron, recording equipment, or cell phones, and heat sensors can pick up reflections off of mirrors or other metal surfaces. Nickell has also criticized the practice of searching only in the dark, saying that since some ghosts are described as "shadows or dark entities," he conducts searches in lighted rather than darkened conditions. According to investigator Benjamin Radford , most ghost-hunting groups, including The Atlantic Paranormal Society , make many methodological mistakes. According to Radford, "[a]fter watching episodes of Ghost Hunters and other similar programs, it quickly becomes clear to anyone with

11948-410: The risk of early seizures but not late seizures. However, there is no clear evidence that anti-seizure medications are effective at preventing seizures following brain surgery ( craniotomy) , a brain bleed, or after a stroke . Prevention of seizures from re-occurring after a first seizure depends on many factors. If it was an unprovoked seizure with abnormal brain imaging or abnormal EEG, then it

12064-464: The site being investigated. According to ghost hunters, a cold spot is an area of localized coldness or a sudden decrease in ambient temperature . Temperature decreases claimed to be associated with cold spots range from a few degrees Fahrenheit to over 40 degrees. Many ghost hunters use digital thermometers or heat sensing devices to measure such temperature changes. Believers claim that cold spots are an indicator of paranormal or spirit activity in

12180-474: The séance Valiantine claimed to have contacted the "spirit" of the composer Luigi Arditi , speaking in Italian . Price wrote down every word that was attributed to Arditi and they were found to be word-for-word matches in an Italian phrase-book. In 1926, Price formed the National Laboratory of Psychical Research as a rival to the SPR. Price made a formal offer to the University of London to equip and endow

12296-556: The two maintains our central nervous system. In those with seizures, neurons are both hyperexcitable and hypersynchronous, where many neurons fire numerously at the same time. This may be due to an imbalance of excitation and inhibition of neurons. γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and Glutamate are chemicals called neurotransmitters that work by opening or closing ion channels on neurons to cause inhibition or excitability. GABA serves to inhibit neurons from firing. It has been found to be decreased in epilepsy patients. This may explain

12412-709: The type of seizure. The person's memory of what happened before and during the seizure is also important. However, since most people that experience seizures do not remember what happened, it is best to get history from a witness when possible. Video recording of the seizure is also helpful in diagnosis of seizures. Events that occurred after the seizure are also an important part of the history. Past medical history, such as past head trauma, past strokes, past febrile seizures, or past infections, are helpful. In babies and children, information about developmental milestones, birth history, and previous illnesses are important as potential epilepsy risk factors. Family history of seizures

12528-402: The type. Seizures can be classified into generalized seizures and focal seizures, depending on what part of the brain is involved. Focal seizures affect a specific area of the brain, not both sides. It may turn into a generalized seizure if the seizure spreads through the brain. Consciousness may or may not be impaired. The signs and symptoms of these seizures depends on the location of

12644-574: The typical ghost hunter is practicing pseudoscience . Nickell says that ghost hunters often arm themselves with EMF meters , thermometers that can identify cold spots, and wireless microphones that eliminate background noise, pointing out the equipment being used to try to detect ghosts is not designed for the job. "The least likely explanation for any given reading is it is a ghost," maintains Nickell. Orbs of light that show up on photos, he says, are often particles of dust or moisture. " Voices " picked up by tape recorders can be radio signals or noise from

12760-494: The work of " evil spirits ". The perception of epilepsy, however, began to change in the time of Ancient Greek medicine. The term "epilepsy" itself is a Greek word, which is derived from the verb "epilambanein", meaning "to seize, possess, or afflict". Although the Ancient Greeks referred to epilepsy as the " sacred disease ", this perception of epilepsy as a "spiritual" disease was challenged by Hippocrates in his work On

12876-463: Was "refuted by eyewitnesses, investigations and forensic evidence". In 1979, lawyer William Weber reportedly stated that he, Jay Anson , and the occupants "invented" the horror story "over many bottles of wine". General criticism of the Warrens include those by skeptics Perry DeAngelis and Steven Novella , who investigated the Warrens' evidence and described it as "blarney". Skeptical investigators Joe Nickell and Ben Radford also concluded that

12992-409: Was investigated by psychical researchers in London. An analysis of her ectoplasm revealed it to be made of chewed paper. She was also investigated in 1922 and the result of the tests were negative. In 1925, Price investigated Maria Silbert and caught her using her feet and toes to move objects in the séance room. He also investigated the "direct voice" mediumship of George Valiantine in London. In

13108-402: Was not a hoax. The reported haunting was the basis for the 1977 book The Amityville Horror , which was adapted into the 1979 and 2005 movies of the same name, while also serving as inspiration for the film series that followed. The Warrens' version of events is partially adapted and portrayed in the opening sequence of The Conjuring 2 (2016). According to Benjamin Radford , the story

13224-511: Was released in 2014. A 2002 point and click mystery game set in the fictional town of Dowerton, England, where the abandoned Station Hotel has become the location of numerous disappearances, and is reported to be haunted. The players take the role of a man in the search for his lost brother, an architect who vanished while doing scouting and evaluation for a building company. A local team of ghost hunters disappeared there too, leaving all of their equipment and documentation behind. The game spawned

13340-485: Was released on VHS and DVD on April 2, 2002. The film initially debuted on the Blu-ray format on October 19, 2010 in a double feature with House of Wax (2005). A special collector's edition Blu-ray was released by Shout Factory under their Scream Factory label on July 28, 2020. This new release features brand new interviews with the cast and crew, plus a brand new audio commentary with director Steve Beck. In

13456-548: Was that of the development by the Montreal procedure by Canadian neurosurgeon Wilder Penfield , which involved use of electrical stimulation among conscious patients to more accurately identify and resect the epileptic areas in the brain. Seizures result in direct economic costs of about one billion dollars in the United States. Epilepsy results in economic costs in Europe of around €15.5 billion in 2004. In India, epilepsy

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