Blinks, Beeps, and Boundaries: The Science of REM Pods & MEL

Podcast Tech or Trick? When  the owas developed by Gary Galka after the tragic loss of his daughter, Melissa (hence “MEL”), as a means to detect environmental changes he believed were associated with her spirit. Its blend of temperature and EMF sensors became popular for investigations seeking correlation between anomalies.

The REM Pod—short for Radiating EM field Pod—is a newer invention designed specifically for paranormal use. Its antenna emits its own electromagnetic field and sounds an alarm when something with a conductive signature enters that field.

• What it measures: Electromagnetic fields (in milligauss) and ambient temperature (in °F/°C)
• Useful for: Tracking environmental shifts and mapping EM hotspots
• Science status: Legit electrical tool with measurable parameters

• What it does: Emits a static EM field from a small antenna. When the field is disturbed (by a conductive object like a hand), it lights up and sounds an alert
• Science status: Technically sound in detecting near-field disturbances but lacks shielding, calibration control, and context for valid interpretation.  More advanced models offer features like automatic baseline adjustment to reduce false positives from environmental factors or electrical equipment. 

In simple terms: the devices measure real things, but that doesn’t automatically mean ghostly things.

What you need:

• REM Pod or similar device
• MEL Meter (optional for environmental readings)
• A notebook
• Metal objects, natural materials (wood, fabric), and human proximity

Steps:

1. Set your device on a stable surface in a room with no electronics nearby.
2. Approach it slowly with different objects (e.g., keys, hands, plastic items).
3. Measure at which distance and with what material the alert triggers.
4. Repeat while using the MEL Meter to track ambient EMF changes in the room.

Goal: Learn the device’s range, sensitivity, and environmental triggers so you’re not startled when it reacts during a session—or misled when it doesn’t.

We love tech like the  MEL Meter for creating timelines: did EMF shift as the room got colder and footsteps were heard? That’s useful. The REM Pod? It’s great for public-facing demos, but not as a standalone evidence device.

1. Controlled Environment:
   • Minimize electronic interference and place the REM Pod in a stable location.
   • Utilize the REM Pod's automatic or manual baseline adjustment features to account for environmental disruptions.
   • Consider using a Faraday cage in areas with high electromagnetic interference.

1. Verification and Cross-referencing:
   • Correlate REM Pod alerts with readings from other ghost-hunting tools like EMF meters and temperature deviation tools.
   • Use multiple REM Pods and place them near trigger objects to gather more comprehensive data.

1. Documentation and Analysis:
   • Document all alerts with detailed information on time, location, and potential environmental factors.
   • Video record the REM Pod to capture alerts for later analysis and look for intelligent patterns in the responses.

1. Sensitivity and Communication:
   • Adjust the REM Pod's sensitivity and maintain open communication within the investigation team to avoid interference from communication devices.

While REM Pods are widely used by ghost hunters as a tool for detecting and potentially communicating with spirits, their sensitivity to various environmental factors and lack of rigorous scientific validation mean that their effectiveness in paranormal investigations remains a subject of debate.

We include these tools when:

• ONLY with an accompanying Static Sensor, such as the SEER from Lauren Haunts to rule our false positives of radio waves. 
• We’ve done a full electrical sweep and baseline test first.
• We're layering data—if a temp drop, audio anomaly, and REM Pod trigger happen at the same moment the SEER goes off, that's worth noting.

Never rely on devices that look cool but don’t offer replicable data. And if it screams every 15 seconds no matter what you do it’s probably just excited to be included . Listen to our Tech or Trick Episode "When The Ghost Is Just A Radio" to learn more about all the ways REM Pods can be false triggered. 

• Galka, G. (2012). “Design and Development of the MEL Meter.” Paranormal Equipment Journal.
• GhostStop Equipment Comparison Guide: [https://www.ghoststop.com]
• Radford, B. (2010). Scientific Paranormal Investigation.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): EMF Basics – https://www.nist.gov
• "When The Ghost Is Just A Radio"