Scientists from Spain and France, led by Jenny Moix Queraltó, compiled 87 scientific articles on out-of-body experiences published over 38 years. Their work is not merely a literature review but a so-called “scoping review”—in other words, it is an attempt to cover the widest possible field of research on the topic over the past several decades.
Out-of-body experiences can occur spontaneously, be induced intentionally, or be provoked by various situations. The article confirms that sleep paralysis and lucid dreams sometimes contribute to out-of-body experiences, thus emphasizing the relationship between the phase states. For many, out-of-body experiences are not just a dream or fantasy—the process is often perceived as absolutely real.
Different people can have opposing reactions to out-of-body experiences: some are afraid, while others rejoice and study special techniques to intentionally repeat the event. Scientists have explained the nature of this phenomenon in different ways: from the point of view of psychology and physiology, as well as based on the idea that consciousness is not tied to the body. In general, there is still no consensus on what this phenomenon is.
How do you perceive out-of-body experiences—as dreams, astral projection, or something else?
The article was published in July 2025 in The Journal of Science and Healing.
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