Magic Flights or Mind’s Eye? Further Explorations of Dimensional-Slip Narratives

A case study of a woman called Nell, who reported four experiences of being physically transported to other realms, was analyzed using AI-assisted content analysis and expert evaluation. The experiences were compared against explanations including kundalini awakenings, physical mediumship, bilocation, and electromagnetic field (EMF) effects. The findings aligned most strongly with EMF-related activity and, to some extent, bilocation phenomena. Post-hoc accounts from family members in the same area suggested possible environmental influences or behavioral contagion. The authors introduce a continuum model of bilocation integrating psychology, neuroscience, and parapsychology. No evidence was found that Nell physically moved, pointing instead to an interplay of boundary-thinness, altered states, and environmental factors in her anomalous cognitions.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This case study examines the phenomenon of dimensional-slips, i. e., anomalous distortions or perceptions of spacetime that may involve transcendental content or themes. Our investigation specifically centers on “Nell,” a known ‘haunted’ woman who documented four experiences of perceived physical transports to other realms. Using a mixed-methods approach, we employed AI-assisted content analyses with secondary evaluations by subject matter experts to assess Nell’s experiences through the competing theoretical lenses of kundalini awakenings, physical mediumship, bilocation-related phenomena, and electromagnetic field (EMF) effects. Findings indicated strong alignment with EMF-related activity and, to some extent, bilocation phenomena, as compared to the other hypotheses explored here. Post-hoc accounts of different dimensional-slips experienced by Nell’s family members in the same geographic vicinity further hinted at the probable influences of environmental variables or behavioral contagion. Finally, we build on key literature cited in the study to introduce a continuum model of bilocation, integrating concepts from psychology, neuro­science, and parapsychology. There was no conclusive evidence that Nell physically moved anywhere, so our findings arguably point to the interplay among boundary-thinness, altered states, and environmental factors in her anomalous cognitions. These results underscore the need for further multidisciplinary inquiries into dimensional-slip narratives and their implications for consciousness studies. Future research should therefore incorporate controlled experiments and broader case studies to refine theoretical models of these extraordinary experiences.