Psychic research was actually quite big in the 70's until it was later discovered that many of the 'positive' results had been achieved by a group of test subjects using conjuring skills to distract the researchers, misdirecting their attention etc. After that it rapidly lost all credibility in scientific establishments and now it is really on the fringes.
Those that have studied it have never been able to get statistically valid data proving that the phenomenon even exists. Anyone want to post a link proving me wrong?
http://www.amazon.com/Mind-Reach-Scientists-Psychic-Abilities-Consciousness/dp/1571744142/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269386362&sr=8-1they test astral projection and found statistical significance (i.e. at least 95 percent chance). it's a great book