Scientific evidence supports the existence of psionic abilities.

the verdict

REFUTED

the evidence says no

Recorded sources

0 sources for · 3 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Is it true that scientific evidence supports the existence of psionic abilities?

No. Scientific evidence does not support the existence of psionic abilities, as rigorous, transparent, large-scale replication attempts and meta-analyses have consistently failed to reproduce initial positive findings.

Verdict: REFUTED · 0 sources for, 3 against · Last checked 4 Oct 2026

The analysis

The retrieved papers feature multiple high-rigor replication attempts and meta-analyses showing that purported psi effects (such as ESP or precognition) either vanish under controlled, transparent conditions or do not differ significantly from chance. While a few older or niche studies claim positive results or discuss methodological reframing, the weight of higher-quality replication and metascientific evidence clearly refutes the claim that scientific evidence supports psionic abilities.

Evidence against · 3

Raising the value of research studies in psychological science by increasing the credibility of research reports: the transparent Psi project.

2023

A transparent, multi-laboratory replication attempt of Bem's famous ESP experiment failed to reproduce the original positive findings.

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Z, K., B, P., B, S., P, S., M, Z., M, K., BE, B., D, C., P, T., K, S., M, G., TR, E., Y, Y., JK, M., H, L., F, Y., D, D., JP, R., M, B., R, S., A, A., P, A., R, O., N, P., K, K., B, H., S, W., B, V., K, G., & B, A. (2023). Raising the value of research studies in psychological science by increasing the credibility of research reports: the transparent Psi project.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.191375

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More against · 2

A meta‐analysis of mass‐media tests of extrasensory perception

1999

A large-scale meta-analysis of mass-media ESP studies involving over 1.5 million trials found that overall results did not differ significantly from chance expectation.

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Milton, J. & Wiseman, R. (1999). A meta‐analysis of mass‐media tests of extrasensory perception. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1348/000712699161378

Metascientific replication project with the advanced meta-experimental protocol of the transparent psi project procedures for testing the precognitive effect claimed by Bem.

2025

Using advanced metascientific protocols to minimize biases, subsequent large-scale replication trials ultimately failed to reliably demonstrate precognitive effects.

Get citation

J, W., N, v. S., S, S., M, W., KA, K., J, M., & Z, K. (2025). Metascientific replication project with the advanced meta-experimental protocol of the transparent psi project procedures for testing the precognitive effect claimed by Bem.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0335330

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