Phenomenology and Neurophysiology of Out-of-Body Experiences: Mechanisms, Characteristics, and Empirical Evidence.

Out-of-body experiences (OBEs) are phenomena where consciousness seems separate from the physical body, reported for centuries in spiritual traditions and now studied in neuroscience, psychology, and anthropology. This literature review presents scientific research and explanatory approaches to OBEs, which typically occur during altered states like sleep, meditation, hypnosis, psychotropic substance use, lucid dreams, sleep paralysis, or intense stress. Common descriptions include floating sensations, panoramic vision, altered body perception, and feeling of free movement. Despite advances, OBEs remain difficult to study rigorously, with no consensus on their origin and ununified results across disciplines. The discussion calls for a more precise classification grid and suggests advanced methodologies could provide new insights.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Out-of-body experiences (OBEs) are phenomena in which a person perceives their consciousness as separate from their physical body. Although these experiences have been reported for centuries in spiritual traditions, they are attracting increasing interest in the fields of neuroscience, psychology and anthropology. This study aims to take stock of the issue through a literature review by presenting the main scientific research and the different explanatory approaches to OBEs. These generally occur in altered states of consciousness, such as sleep, meditation, hypnosis or after taking psychotropic substances. They are also associated with lucid dreams, sleep paralysis and situations of intense stress. Testimonies often describe sensations of floating, panoramic vision, perception of an altered body or the impression of moving freely in space. Despite scientific advances, OBEs represent a phenomenon that remains difficult to study rigorously. There is still no consensus on their exact origin, and studies in neuroscience, psychology and phenomenology are struggling to unify their results. In the discussion we focus on the development of a more precise classification grid and suggest that the development of more advanced investigation methodologies could shed new light on these fascinating experiences.