bodiespossess

Bodiespossess is a term encountered in folklore, religious studies, and speculative discourse to describe a state in which a person’s body is believed to be controlled by an external agent, consciousness, or entity. The term is not a standard category in mainstream science but is used to discuss beliefs about possession, forms of embodiment, and related experiences.

Across cultures, beliefs about possession attribute bodily control to spirits, deities, ancestors, demons, or other beings. Rituals such as exorcism, trance, shamanic initiation, or devotional practices are often framed as ways to invite, prevent, or manage bodiespossess experiences. In some traditions possession is sought for healing, divination, or communication with the supernatural; in others, it is feared as a malevolent intrusion.

From a medical and psychological perspective, experiences described as possession can reflect dissociative disorders, temporal lobe epilepsy, sleep-related phenomena, or psychosis. Clinicians examine onset, context, triggers, and neurological findings to distinguish cultural or religious interpretations from psychiatric conditions. Treatments may involve psychotherapy, culturally sensitive care, or medication where appropriate, with attention to consent and safety.

In contemporary fiction, media, and parapsychology, bodiespossess is used as a plot device to explore autonomy, identity, and the boundaries between self and other. Critics note that sensational portrayals can misrepresent medical conditions or cultural practices; respectful, evidence-based discussion is advised when engaging with communities that hold beliefs about possession.

See also: possession, dissociative identity disorder, exorcism, embodiment, ritual trance, and related phenomena.