Many people believe in the power of the Ouija board and warn against playing with it because of the fear that users open themselves up to some supernatural threat. This worry is especially prevalent in horror films and television shows, where it has remained a stock scare element since the release of The Exorcist (Schmidt, 2025). On the other hand, plenty of people think of it as just a harmless game. This is how its producer and copyright holder, Hasbro, characterizes it (Hasbro, 2025). Then there is the scientific perspective. While the Ouija board is not particularly well-studied, the research to date suggests that natural factors, like subconscious body movements, are what is really at work here (Gordon & Rosenbaum, 1984).

If the naturalistic perspective is right, does that prove that Ouija boards are completely harmless? The answer is more complicated than one might think, but a new study sought to address this question. The research by Álex Escolà-Gascón, Neil Dagnall, and Andrew Denovan (2025) appeared in the journal Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice, and it revealed some important findings about Ouija boards and the possible consequences of their use.

Before examining the results, it’s worth reviewing some Ouija board basics since these figure in the research design. Also called spirit boards, talking boards, or even witch boards, Ouija boards are a familiar fixture in popular culture, especially in scary movies and similar contexts. While many variations exist, most characteristics pertaining to the Ouija board are relatively standardized. They typically include a piece of cardboard or wood (i.e., the board itself), inscribed with the alphabet, Arabic numerals, and some short words like "yes," "no," and "goodbye." A planchette is also included: a smaller wooden or plastic board standing on pegs or casters to enable it to glide over the board.

To use a Ouija board, the planchette is placed on the board, and two or more participants place their fingertips gently on the planchette. They must then ask questions to the alleged spirits nearby, typically beginning with an inquiry like “Is there anyone here that would like to talk?” If all goes well, the planchette should then move across the........

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