Recent survey data suggests that a large share of Gen Z believes they have strong intuitive or “psychic” abilities in everyday life. According to a survey by Talker Research involving 2,000 Americans, around 30 to 33 percent of younger adults say they experience what they describe as psychic moments, a higher percentage than older generations. In this context, “psychic” does not refer to supernatural powers, but rather to strong gut feelings and instincts about situations. The findings suggest that intuition is becoming a more common way for young people to explain how they make decisions.
For many Gen Z respondents, these so-called psychic moments are linked to simple daily instincts rather than anything mystical. The Talker Research survey found that common examples include knowing when something feels “off,” sensing when someone is not telling the truth, or feeling when it is the right time to leave a situation. Around 33 percent said they can sense when something is wrong, while 28 percent mentioned detecting dishonesty. Another 26 percent reported having a gut feeling about when to walk away from something, which they later believed was the correct decision.
@notcarolinerosee everything i’ve ever found out has been through a dream no other source #fyp ♬ original sound – d0mcab
Across generations, intuition appears to be a regular part of decision-making, even if people describe it differently. The survey found that about 71 percent of Americans rely on intuition at least sometimes, while only around 11 percent say they do not believe in it at all. On average, respondents reported having about 18 moments per year that they considered “psychic” or strongly intuitive. Gen Z stood out with roughly two such moments per month, compared with about one per month among baby boomers.
These intuitive experiences also appear in practical daily situations. Around 25 percent of respondents said they had a bad feeling before something happened, while a similar percentage reported simply “knowing” an outcome in advance. About 24 percent said they thought of someone just before that person contacted them. Other examples included 22 percent sensing that someone could not be trusted, and 19 percent saying they knew what someone was going to say before they said it.
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Differences between generations also appeared in specific areas where intuition was strongest. Gen X respondents were the most likely to say they could correctly predict outcomes, at around 21 percent. Millennials reported a stronger connection between dreams and intuition, also at about 21 percent. When it came to dating, both Gen Z and millennials reported similar levels of intuition at around 14 percent. Financial intuition was also shared across generations, with Gen Z and baby boomers showing similar confidence at about 14 percent.
Adam Dickinson, a former FBI intelligence analyst and current intuition advisor, said that intuition is often connected to the brain recognising patterns based on previous experiences. He explained that intuition usually feels calm and steady, while anxiety tends to feel repetitive, urgent, and stressful. Many respondents admitted they struggled to tell the difference between the two. According to the survey, around 35 percent said they were not confident they could separate gut feelings from anxiety.
The growing interest in intuition is also linked to wider social and online trends. Content related to astrology, tarot cards, manifestation, and similar beliefs has become increasingly visible on social media platforms such as TikTok. At the same time, many respondents said therapy and mental health support had helped them better understand their emotions and internal reactions. However, technology use, including AI and constant online activity, was also seen by many participants as reducing trust in personal instincts.
