OBEs

An out-of-body experience (OBE) is a subjective phenomenon in which a person perceives the world from a location outside the physical body, often describing the self as located above, beside, or at a distance from the body. The experience is reported across cultures and contexts and is studied within psychology, neuroscience, and related fields.

OBEs can occur spontaneously or in association with sleep–wake transitions, meditation, trauma or illness, near-death experiences, hypnosis, or the use of certain drugs. They may be brief or prolonged and can be accompanied by vivid sensory impressions or emotional responses.

Common phenomenology includes a sense of floating or rising out of the body, vividly seeing one’s body and surroundings from an external vantage point, and sometimes movement through space or travel beyond the room. Reports vary in detail and interpretation, and cultural background can influence how the experience is described.

Proposed explanations are debated. Neurophysiological accounts point to disruptions or misintegration in brain networks that help anchor self-location, notably the temporoparietal junction and vestibular systems. Other theories involve REM intrusion, dissociation, and cognitive processing, while cultural or personal expectations may influence interpretation.

In research, OBEs are regarded as subjective experiences with limited objective evidence. They are not considered proof of consciousness existing independently of the body, and prevalence estimates vary. Studies emphasize methodological challenges and replication issues, and OBEs are often discussed separately from near-death experiences.