Stuff They Don't Want You To Know CLASSIC: You're Getting A Vibe: The Strange Science of Auras
Dec 26, 2025
Dive into the mysterious world of auras—intangible energies perceived from people and objects. Explore historical roots, from ancient beliefs to modern New Age interpretations. Discover Kirlian photography's striking images and how they challenge spiritual claims. Skepticism remains regarding reproducibility and the role of genetics in suggestibility. Hear about fascinating individual perceptions, including synesthesia and the faint bioluminescence humans emit. Can science and personal experiences coexist in the realm of auras?
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Creepy Family Heirloom Feeling
- Matt recalls a childhood statue that felt charged and unsettling when nearby.
- He wonders whether objects can emit a vibe independent of their backstory.
Grocery Store Golden Aura
- Matt tells of an older woman in a grocery store who told him his aura was golden and bright.
- He left confused and later discussed the encounter with his wife.
Leadbeater Shaped Western Aura Ideas
- Charles Webster Leadbeater popularized the term aura in the West after studying theosophy in India.
- He remixed chakra ideas without credit, shaping modern Western aura beliefs.