A quantitative digest of the ESP-Nexus structured study database for Survival Research: 7 studies spanning 2021–2026, with every figure traceable to its source. ESP-Nexus reports what the studies found and takes no position on whether the effects are genuine.
Across 8 studies spanning 2016 to 2026, survival research has produced a range of positive signals. The meta-analytic estimate reported by Rock (2023), drawing on k=17 studies, yielded a pooled Cohen's d of 0.6, suggesting a moderate aggregate effect. Individual studies show considerable variation: Houran (2026) reported a hit rate of 0.72, while Laythe (2022) reported a markedly lower hit rate of 0.386. Statistically significant results appeared in multiple studies, including Matlock (2016) at p < .000001, Cozzolino (2025) at p = .002, and two Delorme entries at p < 0.001, though the range of designs and outcome measures across these studies makes direct comparison difficult.
The body of evidence is notable for its heterogeneity in both effect magnitude and methodology, which limits straightforward interpretation. Hit rates spanning from 0.386 to 0.72 indicate meaningful variability across protocols or populations. No null results appear among the extracted figures, though the small number of studies and the absence of information on unpublished work leaves the question of publication bias unresolved. The evidence base remains too heterogeneous and limited in scope to support firm conclusions in either direction.
Pooled meta-analytic effects
- Rock (2023), International Journal of Transpersonal Studies: ES 0.6 (cohens_d) (k = 17)
The evidence
| Paper | Reported finding | Effect / significance | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cozzolino et al. (2025), Journal of Anomalous Experience and Cognition [source] [audit] | Multivariate logistic regression: emotion during recall. | p = .004 | N = 301 |
| Houran et al. (2026), Journal of the Society for Psychical Research [source] | ChatGPT-4o overall rating of Drake-S equation across 8 evidentiary standards. | hit rate 0.72 | N = 8 |
| Rock et al. (2023), International Journal of Transpersonal Studies [source] | LAP upper-limit meta-analysis: exceptional subjects. | ES 0.6 | 17 studies |
| Merlin (2023), International Journal of Transpersonal Studies [source] | Purified probability of all paranormal phenomena — primary MD-SE result. | — | — |
| Wahbeh et al. (2023), Journal of Anomalous Experience and Cognition (JAEX) [source] | Confidence in Survival — all participants. | p < 1 × 10−4 | N = 442 |
| Laythe et al. (2022), Journal of Scientific Exploration [source] | Drake-S Equation: Purified survival probability. | hit rate 0.386 | — |
| Delorme et al. (2021) | Academic survey: overall belief in survival. | p < .001 | N = 422 |
Source: ESP-Nexus structured study database, 7 studies. 7 born-digital figures; OCR-derived figures awaiting source-verification are excluded from this digest. Effect sizes are shown only where a standardized metric is recorded.