Voice-hearing in people with psychosis and in nonclinical spiritualist communities shows important similarities and differences. Nonclinical voice-hearers report less distress and more control over their voices, consistent with prior findings. They also often integrate multiple sensory modalities into a single entity, experience high levels of associated visual imagery, and perceive voices in locations that differ in relation to perceptual boundaries. Most nonclinical voice-hearers reported hearing voices before encountering spiritualism, indicating that onset was not solely due to deliberate practice. The study suggests that understanding how spiritual voice-hearers cultivate and control voices after onset may inform interventions for distressing voices in psychosis.
Pub psychic nights in Britain, attended predominantly by working-class women, serve as spaces for spirit communication led by a medium or psychic. Based on 16 interviews and four participant observations, these events help attendees deal with grief and loss, extending beyond entertainment. They offer opportunities to address existential questions and seek comfort outside traditional religious institutions. The nights blur boundaries between ordinary and extraordinary, transforming historically male-dominated pub spaces into local hubs of female-led spirituality. This research deepens understanding of contemporary spiritual practices and their significance for marginalized communities.