Energy drainers are everywhere! They can be your family members, friends, or co-workers, or maybe YOU are one yourself. 😳 (it’s okay we all get a little needy sometimes)

But when you feel emotionally drained, psychically attacked, or lethargic with no physical energy (and no credible explanation), that’s when things become a little sus.

Hmm… What’s really going on?

When you intuitively feel something is off, the best action is to take a look around and discover what or who is causing you to feel this way.

Although there is no scientific evidence to support the claim of energy vampires, there is psychological and scientific explanation for the exhaustion you feel around certain people or environments.

In this post, I’ll share some spiritual energy protection hacks, and I’ll also share the psychological reasons why you may feel drained around certain people, places, or things.

This way, you can keep your vibe high and say “No way, that’s so gross!” to future energy drainers!

Let’s go! 🚀✨

What Is a Psychic Vampire?

In short, A psychic vampire, aka energy vampire, is someone who feeds off the life force of others to compensate for their own energy deficiencies.

Think of it like a vibe somone is carrying. All they want to do is suck all your energy, attention, time, resources from you. They are never satisfied and will drain everything from you. Once you’re depleted, the leave you and move on to their next victim. 🧛🏻‍♀️

This behavior often stems from unresolved emotional or mental issues or a lack of self-awareness. (More about the psychology later.)

However, in spiritual communities, psychic vampires are a little more complex, because the person doesn’t have to physically have access to you, they can drain your energy with their thoughts alone.

(Damn, no one’s safe around here. 😐)

Signs You’re Being Drained or Attacked

So first things first, please seek medical advice if these *symptoms* are persistent. Don’t be a dummy; metaphysics is cool, but so is expert opinion.

OK so, Not sure if you’re under a psychic attack or being sucked dry?

Here are a few signs:

• Physical Symptoms: Dizziness, headaches, chronic fatigue, and muscle tension. (These can be signs of emotional fatigue. It is natural to experience low energy if you recently experienced something stressful. Listen to your body and rest.)
• Emotional Indicators: Irritability, depressed mood, and heightened anxiety.
• Mental Clues: Confusion, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances.
• Spiritual Signs: Synchronicities, intuitive insights, and vivid dreams.

This isn’t a definitive list but any of these symptoms can indicate that an external source is suckling all your energy.

And now it’s time to cut them off, so you can regain your life force back.

Spiritual Defense Against Psychic Vampires

Protecting yourself is crucial for maintaining your well-being.

Here are some effective strategies:

1. Set Clear Boundaries: Limit interactions with individuals who leave you feeling drained.
2. Practice Cord-Cutting Rituals: Visualize severing the energetic ties that bind you to the energy vampire. A simple method involves imagining a protective figure (ex, Archangel Michael, God, Spirit Guides) cutting these cords with a divine weapon or sword.
3. Engage in Spiritual Purification: Regularly cleanse your energy field, aka aura, through meditation, smudging with sage, or taking salt baths to remove residual negative energy. Insight State
4. Strengthen Your Aura: Visualize a protective bubble of light surrounding you, acting as a shield against energy drainers. Intuitive Souls Blog

Psychology and Science of Energy Vampires

While the concept of psychic vampires is rooted in spirituality, metaphysics, and folklore, there are psychological theories that can explain this phenomenon in a more scientific way.

Here are some evidence-based perspectives that align with the idea of energy vampires:

1. Emotional Contagion & Mirror Neurons

Psychologists have found that emotions are contagious. Emotional contagion is the phenomenon where people “catch” the emotions of others through mirror neurons in the brain. If you spend time with a highly negative person, their emotions can affect your mood, energy, and even physical health. (Association for Psychological Science)

2. Narcissistic & Borderline Personality Traits

People who exhibit narcissistic or borderline personality disorder traits often seek emotional validation and attention from others in ways that can be draining. These individuals might unknowingly manipulate, guilt-trip, or create emotional chaos, leading to emotional exhaustion for those around them.

• Narcissists feed off admiration and control, draining others’ mental energy.
• Borderline personality traits involve extreme emotional highs and lows, making relationships highly draining and unpredictable.
  (American Psychological Association)

3. Codependency & Energy Draining Relationships

The “energy vampire” dynamic is often found in codependent relationships, where one person becomes emotionally reliant on another for validation, support, or control. This can lead to:

• Feeling constantly exhausted after interactions.
• Emotional burnout from excessive caretaking.
• Guilt-tripping and manipulation to keep the energy exchange going.
  (Psychology Today)

4. Psychological Projection & Unconscious Energy Drain

Some people unknowingly act as psychic vampires by projecting their unresolved emotions onto others. Projection is a defense mechanism where someone disowns their own thoughts or feelings and attributes them to someone else.

For example:

• A person who struggles with self-worth may constantly seek reassurance from others.
• Someone with deep anger issues might create conflict and make others feel drained.
  (Verywell Mind)

5. Stress & Somatic Energy Drain

Being around negative or emotionally intense people can activate the body’s stress response, leading to:

• Cortisol spikes (stress hormone) that cause fatigue.
• Mental exhaustion due to over-processing negativity.
• Weakened immune system over time.
  (National Institute of Mental Health)

6. The Polyvagal Theory & Nervous System Regulation

Dr. Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory suggests that our nervous system responds to social interactions in three ways:

• Ventral Vagal (Safe & Social) – Relaxed and connected.
• Sympathetic (Fight or Flight) – Alert, stressed, and hyper-aware.
• Dorsal Vagal (Shutdown & Depressed) – Overwhelmed, exhausted, dissociated.

When interacting with emotionally chaotic or manipulative individuals, our nervous system can shift into “fight or flight” mode, making us feel exhausted or even numb after the interaction.
(Stephen Porges, PhD)

Protect Yourself Using Psychological Strategies:

1. Set Strong Boundaries – Limit exposure to emotionally draining people. (sometimes, this is the only way)
2. Practice Emotional Detachment – Don’t engage in their negativity. ( energy vampires thrive off high emotional states and will provoke you to get their feed)
3. Self-Regulation Techniques – Meditation, deep breathing, and mindfulness can help. (learn to regulate and control your nervous and emotional system)
4. Increase Self-Awareness – Recognize your emotional reactions and reclaim your energy. (I have an awesome blog post about this. READ IT HERE.)
5. Seek Therapy if Necessary – If you’re stuck in a toxic cycle or environment, please seek professional help. ( Its why they exist.)

My Conclusion: Do Psychic Vampires Exist?

Hmm. From a scientific perspective, energy vampires are more accurately described as individuals with toxic personality traits. And I do not like these people in my aura, but it is sometimes unavoidable.

I’ve learned to set boundaries, view my personal space as sacred, and be cautious about who has access to my energy.

That’s how I keep my peace. ☮️

What do you think? How have you dealt with psychic vampires? Let me know in the comments.