The Difference Between Psychics and Mediums

Most of us have probably had psychic experiences to some degree. Maybe you’ve had a gut feeling that prompted you to go to a particular store at a certain time, only to discover that they were selling exactly what you needed at a great price. Or maybe you’ve had a strong urge to avoid taking a specific route home, only to find out that an accident had occurred along that path. These are all examples of psychic “pulls.” They’re more defined than a simple gut feeling, and they often come accompanied by a clear sense of knowing (which is called claircognizance).

There are countless stories of people who claim to have psychic abilities. Some are genuine, and have astonished well-known scientists by demonstrating their powers under tightly controlled conditions. Others, however, are just deluded, and use a variety of techniques (known as cold-reading or hot-reading) to trick unsuspecting people into giving them their money. There are also those who have true psychic abilities, and make a living advising people about their futures and helping them navigate the challenges of life.

Some of these people are referred to as psychics, while others have a more esoteric reputation: They’re called mediums. But what exactly are the differences between psychics and mediums? And can the terms be used interchangeably? Read on to learn more about these fascinating topics.