How do differences in native language affect out-of-body experiences?
Frontiers in psychology January 1, 2024 Hirotaka Uchitomi, Yuma Yamamoto, Kishiko Ueno et al. 1 citation
Out-of-body experiences (OBEs) can be induced scientifically and are of interest for applications in the Metaverse and medicine. This study replicated a 2007 experiment to test whether native language influences the ability to have such experiences. Nineteen age-matched native English and Japanese speakers completed the experiment, and their experiences were assessed via questionnaires. No significant differences were found between the two language groups; OBEs were induced similarly in both, suggesting that people respond to the same stimuli regardless of native language. However, differences in introspective reports indicated that the quality of the experiences may differ, possibly due to linguistic background. Understanding these cultural and cognitive factors could inform OBE applications in borderless virtual environments and healthcare.