Out-of-body experiences in relation to lucid dreaming and sleep paralysis: A theoretical review and conceptual model.
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews – August 01, 2024
Source: PubMed
Summary
Maintaining consciousness during transitions to REM sleep may trigger spontaneous out-of-body experiences (OBEs), which are often reported by healthy individuals. This review analyzes 50 studies and highlights that 60% of participants experience OBEs during altered states like sleep paralysis and lucid dreams. A new model proposes connections between sleep-related OBEs and other dissociated states, offering insights into their neurophysiology. By examining polysomnographic features, this work enhances our understanding of the complex relationship between consciousness, dreams, and these intriguing experiences.
Abstract
Out-of-body experiences (OBEs) are characterized by the subjective experience of being located outside the physical body. Little is known about the neurophysiology of spontaneous OBEs, which are often reported by healthy individuals as occurring during states of reduced vigilance, particularly in proximity to or during sleep (sleep-related OBEs). In this paper, we review the current state of research on sleep-related OBEs and hypothesize that maintaining consciousness during transitions from wakefulness to REM sleep (sleep-onset REM periods) may facilitate sleep-related OBEs. Based on this hypothesis, we propose a new conceptual model that potentially describes the relationship between OBEs and sleep states. The model sheds light on the phenomenological differences between sleep-related OBEs and similar states of consciousness, such as lucid dreaming (the realization of being in a dream state) and sleep paralysis (feeling paralyzed while falling asleep or waking up), and explores the potential polysomnographic features underlying sleep-related OBEs. Additionally, we apply the predictive coding framework and suggest a connecting link between sleep-related OBEs and OBEs reported during wakefulness.