How do differences in native language affect out-of-body experiences?

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.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Out-of-body experiences are scientifically inducible cognitive phenomena attracting global attention due to their application in the Metaverse and medical care. Despite previous studies suggesting that one's native language influences one's cognition, the out-of-body experiences of humans with different native languages have not been investigated separately. This study replicated an experiment from a 2007 study to investigate whether differences in native language affect the ability to have scientifically induced out-of-body experiences. A total of 19 age-matched native English and Japanese speakers completed the experiment in two blocks. Thereafter, their experiences were evaluated using questionnaires, and their responses were compared. Importantly, no significant differences between the English and Japanese native-speaker conditions were found. The results showed that out-of-body experiences were induced similarly in both groups, suggesting that people can have out-of-body experiences as a response to similar stimuli, regardless of their native language. However, differences in participants' introspective reports suggested that their experiences may differ qualitatively, possibly, due to the different linguistic backgrounds. The elucidation of the mechanisms of science-assisted out-of-body experiences that consider different cultural and cognitive characteristics, such as native language, could lead to the investigation of their applications in the borderless Metaverse and medicine.