What Does Being a Psychic Really Mean?

Psychic is a term that describes someone who claims to have special powers beyond the normal range of human senses, such as extrasensory perception (ESP) or clairvoyance. These abilities, if true, are inexplicable by scientific methods. They have been reported throughout history, and are often associated with the paranormal and supernatural.

Throughout history, people who have been described as psychic have inspired both amazement and fear in their audiences. But what does being a psychic really mean? Is it a condition of abnormal psychology, or does it actually indicate some kind of higher-level consciousness?

A psychic is able to receive and interpret messages from spirit guides and departed loved ones. To hone their skills, psychics meditate to calm their mental chatter and to clear the way for communication. They may also use cards, crystals, tea leaves or anything else that will help them channel the message. Some psychics also claim to have telekinetic and teleportation abilities.

The word “psychic” has been around for centuries, but it became more popular in the 1800s after the popularity of English Spiritualism. Madame Blavatsky, a Russian writer and founder of the Theosophical Society, was a prominent figure in the movement, which focused on Eastern mysticism.

In one experiment, scientists Matteo Borrini teamed up with a psychic named Natalie to demonstrate their abilities before a live audience. Before the performance, the audience members were surveyed to find out whether they believed in psychics, and then again afterward to see if their beliefs had changed. They were shocked to discover that the number of people who thought that psychics had real abilities increased sixfold after the demonstration.