The Truth Behind Ectoplasm – “The Ghost Slime”

It’s a completely normal type of desire to want to re-connect with a deceased person after they’ve passed on. Perhaps one didn’t get to tell them something important, or maybe it helps the survivors gain the closure they need to be able to move on.
Those who have embarked on a quest to connect with the deceased typically are unable to do so by themselves. They often employ the help of something called a spiritual medium. Spiritual mediums have been around since the dawn of time and their techniques in connecting with the dead have ranged from offering up sacrifices to appease them, using spirit boards (more commonly known as Ouija boards), and hosting séances.
However, in the 1850s, spiritual mediums everywhere began experiencing a strange phenomenon when they contacted spirits on the other side.

Origin and Legend Behind Ectoplasm

A soft, tissue like material would begin to exit the body of the medium through the mouth, ears, and nose. This substance was referred to Ectoplasm. If you’ve seen Ghostbusters, you might find yourself familiarized with this term, but this real-life phenomenon is actually not the sticky, green goo that was comedically displayed in the movie.
Ectoplasm was believed to be a physical variation of the spirit or spirits in which the medium was contacting. The medium would go into a trancelike state once they reached the “other side”, and once the spirit they were communicating with began to speak, this goo would begin to drip out of the face’s orifices.
However, this ectoplasm did not simply drip like a runny nose or water in the ear. It stood up in midair like a thick ribbon being twisted and suspended in the air. It often appeared like a still gelatinous smoke. These spiritual emissions could grow to be very large, and it was believed that while ectoplasm came out of the body in a clear color, it would eventually thickened and became darker as the connection between the spirit and the medium became stronger.Those who have reported that they’ve touched this ghostly substance state that it often feels cold and moist, and other times, cool and hardened.
Oftentimes, these spiritual emissions were varied in their appearance. Sometimes, they would appear as a chiffon type of substance, other times, like a paste or even like a smoke. It was said that if the spirit being connected with was malevolent, there would be gut-wrenching odor that accompanied it.
Ectoplasm is something that has been written about in ancient texts and in the times before, and it is believed that the development of the photograph in the 1850s created a surge in reports as they were able to document it in a proof-positive way. 

 

What Experts say About Ectoplasm

There was a surge of photos taken of this Ectoplasm as soon as cameras were invented, but much to the dismay of paranormal experts everywhere, looking for more signs of life beyond the grave, many of the photos taken during that era have since been proven to be frauds. Folks were found out to be using cheeseclothes, dolls, and rubber gloves to take photos that included these apparitions.There have been a few, however, that have not been able to be debunked and in current times, it’s easy to find videos of mediums releasing ectoplasm in real time. The scientific field, past and present, has not done much to research this, so it’s difficult to say. Without definitive and active tests being performed on this ectoplasm, it’s impossible to know for certain.
The videos and photos that exist today surely do look realistic, but they are still hit pretty hard with skepticism. With the rise of quality photo and video editing and manipulation software, it could very well be a fraud.
Some, however, swear on everything in their retelling of their own experiences that they’ve seen ectoplasm and it was a terrifying, yet relieving experience. Those who write about their own experience with this ectoplasm most often compare it to a smoke-like substance, which differs from that of which we see in film/photos.Conclusively, whether you’re a skeptic or a firm believer in the existence of ectoplasm, or ghost plasma, you’ve got to admit—it is a pretty cool concept, and it does make for a hair-raising bout of story time! If you’re really that curious, perhaps try contacting a medium in your area who specializes in ectoplasmic manifestation and see for yourself!