The term “phase states” refers to lucid dreams (LDs), out-of-body experiences (OBEs), sleep paralysis (SP), and other phenomena. The connection between these phenomena has been noticed by scientists around the globe. A group of researchers from Argentina and Spain, led by Francisco Gallo, have recently studied the similarities between LDs and OBEs, noting that both phenomena are characterized by high levels of cognitive abilities during sleep and occur during the rapid eye movement (REM) phase.
The authors recruited sixty volunteers and divided them into three groups: the first group had never experienced either LDs or OBEs; the second group consisted of lucid dreamers (who practiced LDs but not OBEs); and the third group was familiar with both states. Participants kept a dream journal for two months, and these reports were later analyzed by the researchers.
The results indicated that out-of-body experiences more often included negative emotions. Participants talked about fear, disgust, suffering, and aggression. OBEs, in general, turned out to be more emotionally intense. However, the researchers attributed the increase in negativity to the fact that the OBEs usually occurred during sleep paralysis.
Interestingly, however, the reports of participants who experienced leaving their bodies were filled with signs of willpower and self-awareness. The authors, thus, suggested that during an OBE, a person may have better control over the situation than in lucid dreams.
In general, researchers believe that OBEs are a more actively experienced form of dreaming than LDs or ordinary sleep. However, OBE is not a subtype of LD. These two states can involve different cognitive processes and be perceived differently. As the scientists add, further research is needed to distinguish these phenomena.
Does your experience of phase states confirm these findings?
A preprint of the article was published in March 2023 on PsyArXiv.
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