When hearing that I go ghost hunting, people raise an eyebrow. Their next response is either be “huh” with some skepticism or genuine interest. Either way, it isn’t something that many people hear often, and it leads to questions. Below are some of the questions asked most, and my answers to them. If you have a question that isn’t listed here, or if any of the answers surprised you, leave a comment!

Do Ghosts Scare Me?

While there have been a few times I’ve felt uneasy at a location, ghosts don’t scare me. You honestly have more to fear from the living than you do the dead. Because many haunted spots sit in secluded areas, they become ideal locations for underage parties, drug use, and squatters. Abandoned buildings, while potentially home to a few ghosts, are dangerous to explore due to the wear and tear of time and lack of maintenance. While some locations have grumpier spirits, you can get a sense of that when there, and if it becomes uncomfortable I leave. I’m here for the research, not the thrills. Approaching it that way, it doesn’t scare me.

Is It Like On TV?

That answer depends on the show. Shows that focus on the technical aspect and history of the location mirror what ghost hunting is like. The biggest chunk of time spent during investigations is on research, analyzing, and waiting. It isn’t jump scare after jump scare. Shows that focus on the spooks are focusing on ratings, not so much reality. I do go into more detail about this here.

Is Ghost Hunting Done in the Dark?

The only time I investigate in the dark is while using infrared cameras, or if you want your auditory senses heightened while sitting down. Aside from those two scenarios, trying to research in the dark becomes not only difficult but dangerous. Trying to fumble around for buttons, swapping about batteries, and knowing where tripping hazards are are all important. While investigating in the dark is perfect ambience for TV audiences, it isn’t practical for investigators.

Is Ghost Hunting Dangerous?

It can be, but not for the reasons most people ask. They are thinking of angry spirits that may throw objects, and it does happen occasionally. That tends to only happen when antagonizing a spirit, and the investigator should expect that as a possibility. The largest danger is what I mentioned above, and that is when the living use the location as a spot to break the law in seclusion.

Does Anything Ever Follow Me Home?

While there are hundreds, if not thousands of stories in folklore about spirits following the living home, in the last ten years at least of investigating, nothing has ever followed me home. Spirits attach to locations or someone at their time of death. That attachment may break, but not transfer. If that was the case ghosts would never stay in the same location. If it is still a concern, there are ways to cleanse yourself. Burning some sage, sprinkling some sea salt over yourself, holy water, and even singing bowls can rid yourself of energy. This is the bowl that I use. It’s compact and has a gorgeous tone.

Have I Ever Used A Ouija Board?

When younger, all the time. But once investigating more and gaining some wisdom, I stopped. One of the things I love most about the paranormal is that we really have no idea what spirits are, or how we connect to them. While ouija boards may connect to spirits, it’s opening up a connection to everything that can connect. You have no control over it, no matter how many protections you use. It’s casting into an unknown abyss. Because of that, I don’t use them. It’s too much risk for a method of communication that may or may not be who you are trying to communicate with.

What’s The Weirdest Experience I’ve Had?

Back in 2010, I investigated with Lesley Marden and Fiona Broome at the Webster Tay House in Franklin New Hampshire. That night a paranormal group presented evidence gathered at the location. Afterward, the three of us took the chance to explore the home. The site had two or three additions to the original home, and they were all so different from each other it was hard to think of it one as one house. On one of the upper floors, Lesley and I walked down a hallway, and at one door both lowered our voices and walked slower. It took us a minute to both stop and laugh, and realize what was happening.

No one was behind that door, and we knew by asking if anyone was home out of courtesy before exploring. Despite knowing that, we both swore there was an elderly lady trying to sleep inside, and if we woke her up there would be hell to pay. We were both hesitant to even try to turn the doorknob, but they had locked all of the doors in that area of the home. While it wasn’t anything scary, it’s definitely weird when a location affects your thought process and makes you sense spirits on a different level.

Would I Live In A Haunted House?

It really all depends on the house. If it’s occasional doors slamming, shapes out of the corner of your eye, and objects moving, sure. But once it starts to disrupt life on a regular basis, especially when you’re trying to sleep, absolutely not. It doesn’t scare me., I just want some peace and quiet when I’m home.

How Did I Start Ghost Hunting?

I always had an interest in the paranormal growing up. When home sick I watched Unsolved Mysteries, and anytime there was an episode about ghosts I was drawn in. Once able to drive, I started visiting local locations and using any equipment I could find. That’s how I adopted low tech ghost hunting methods, which ultimately turned into the book. One of the sites I followed was written by Fiona, and in 2008 she offered a ghost hunting class which I signed up for in a heartbeat. That’s where I met Fiona, and we started working together after the classes ended.

What Is My Favorite Place To Investigate?

South Street Cemetery is hands down my favorite place for a few reasons. Not only is it the where Fiona taught the first class, but it has a fair share of ghosts who call it home. It’s also a beautiful cemetery located right next to the ocean in Portsmouth, so it’s a perfect spot for walking on sunny days and photography. You can learn more about the ghosts here.

Now that you know a little more about ghost hunting, what are your thoughts? Did any of the answers surprise you? If so, or if you have any other questions, comment below!