Scientists have been studying out-of-body experiences since at least the mid-1980s. Spanish researchers led by Jenny Moix conducted a large-scale literature review in which they selected 87 scientific papers and systematized the current knowledge on out-of-body states. The result of their efforts is a detailed catalog of the causes, mechanisms, and consequences of this unusual state of consciousness.
First of all—why does an out-of-body experience occur? Scientists have identified three main groups of theories. Psychologists suggest that an out-of-body experience may be a defense mechanism in response to stress or trauma. They also link this state to malfunctions in the brain that cause it to misinterpret sensory input. And then there’s the most intriguing hypothesis: that an out-of-body experience is an expression of “non-local consciousness.” Advocates of this idea believe such experiences go beyond the brain-and-body model and have to do with concepts like multidimensional space and quantum physics.
Understanding the essence of this phenomenon could, at the very least, help people who experience out-of-body states to stop feeling like they’re crazy. It may also open the door to practical psychological uses—such as reducing the fear of death. The authors also mention other related states we often refer to as phase states. For instance, sleep paralysis and lucid dreams can sometimes serve as gateways to out-of-body experiences.
Have you ever had an out-of-body experience? What did it feel like?
The article was published in June 2025 in EXPLORE.
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