BBC World Service - CrowdScience, Can I really manifest the future? Homepage Accessibility links * Skip to content * Accessibility Help Close menu BBC World Service CrowdScience * Home * Episodes * Clips * Podcast * Contact CrowdScience * Join us on Facebook Main content Listen now Can I really manifest the future? CrowdScience Is there any science to support the belief that you can turn your goals into reality just by waiting for the universe to manifest them? Show more CrowdScience listener Kassy in India wants to know if there’s any science to support the practice of ‘manifesting’ – the idea that you can make your wishes come true just by writing down your goals and sending your dreams out to the universe. Is it just a wacky belief or can it be backed up by research? Caroline Steel looks at the evidence to see if manifesting works. She talks to researcher Lucas Dixon in Australia, who has found that people who believe in manifesting are more likely to take risky financial decisions or end up bankrupt. She meets neuroscientist Sabina Brennan in Ireland who argues that psychology has already proven that our thoughts and beliefs shape our reality, through cognitive behavioural therapy for example. So there is evidence to show that some of the techniques in manifesting can work. Caroline also talks to psychologist Gabriele Oettingen in the US, whose research has demonstrated that just thinking about our wishes actually decreases our energy and makes it less likely that we’ll achieve our goals. She’s come up with her own method for increasing the likelihood of success. And Caroline tries out a manifesting technique for herself. Can it help her realise her dreams? Presenter: Caroline Steel Producer: Jo Glanville Editor: Ben Motley (Photo: Enthusiastic brunette girl celebrating- stock photo Credit: Mix and Match Studio / 500px via Getty Images) Show less Download Choose your file * Higher quality (128kbps) * Lower quality (64kbps) Available now 26 minutes Last on Mon 16 Mar 2026 13:32 GMT BBC World Service Australasia, East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa only More episodes Previous What keeps the universe in balance? Next Can I unlock my car using my head? See all episodes from CrowdScience Featured * . Broadcasts * Fri 13 Mar 2026 20:32 GMT BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview & Europe and the Middle East only * Fri 13 Mar 2026 21:32 GMT BBC World Service except Online, Americas and the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East & UK DAB/Freeview * Mon 16 Mar 2026 02:32 GMT BBC World Service except Americas and the Caribbean * Mon 16 Mar 2026 05:32 GMT BBC World Service Australasia, Americas and the Caribbean, South Asia & East Asia only * Mon 16 Mar 2026 09:32 GMT BBC World Service * Mon 16 Mar 2026 13:32 GMT BBC World Service Australasia, East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa only Show more / Show less Podcast * CrowdScience Answering your questions about life, Earth and the universe Related Content Similar programmes By genre: * Factual > Science & Nature > Science & Technology By format: * Discussion & Talk * Online schedule * Help & FAQs * Contact us * News in more than 40 languages * Terms of Use * About the BBC * Privacy Policy * Privacy Policy * Cookies * Cookies * Accessibility Help * Parental Guidance * Contact the BBC * Make an editorial complaint * Careers * BBC emails for you * Advertise with us Copyright (c) 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.