Most people move through life feeling a direct connection with their bodies. We go about our days, using our hands and feet without much thought, our surroundings always before us. However, a curious portion of individuals report a very different experience: that of disconnecting from their physical selves, floating a few feet above, and observing their own bodies from an outside perspective.
This experience is known as an out-of-body experience (OBE), and despite its occurrence, it remains a mystery to scientists.
Estimates suggest that between 5 to 20 percent of adults globally have had such experiences at least once.
Accounts of OBEs can be found in various scenarios including emergency rooms, meditation retreats, or even during a simple afternoon nap at home. Pilots exposed to high G-forces have experienced them as well, and neurologists have been able to induce similar sensations in lab participants by stimulating a specific brain area located behind the right ear.
OBEs: The strangest trip of all
These experiences share similar characteristics: a sense of weightlessness, muted sounds, and the ability to observe oneself from above. Research indicates that the temporoparietal junction in the brain, which integrates balance, vision, and body ownership sensations, plays a role in these occurrences. When signals in this area become misaligned—due to stress, epilepsy, oxygen deprivation, or even virtual reality—the mind might opt to detach from its usual position.
Historical records suggest that monks, shamans, and soldiers have written about such moments of departure, and modern imaging confirms that the body remains still during these episodes. Interestingly, cardiology monitors sometimes record sudden drops in heart rate during an OBE, suggesting a physiological response that calms the nervous system during intense situations.
Surveying the floaters
After years of anecdotal evidence, a recent survey from the University of Virginia School of Medicine compiled responses from over 500 individuals who believed they had floated. Four out of five participants reported experiencing it once to four times; the remainder experienced at least five separations, most of which began in childhood.
Nearly three-quarters indicated the experience was spontaneous. Some connected it to psychoactive substances, about 9 percent cited meditation or visualization techniques, while a mere 0.7 percent attributed it to hypnosis.
OBEs and the stress connection
The findings uncovered a significant correlation with early adverse experiences. Many participants recounted scenes of medical trauma or abusive backgrounds. Additionally, those who reported OBEs had more mental health diagnoses compared to those who hadn’t experienced it, with the likelihood of those diagnoses increasing over time since the first OBE.
Some individuals feel there’s something wrong with them after having such experiences and tend to stay silent due to fear of judgment. “Sadly, many mental-health professionals still perceive these episodes in that same light,” stated Weiler, a neuroscientist at UVA’s Division of Perceptual Studies.
The research team found that those who had OBEs generally reflected poorer mental health than those who didn’t. Yet, there’s a belief among researchers that OBEs may serve as a coping strategy stemming from past trauma, rather than an indication of illness. They advocate for clinicians to rethink their approach when dealing with these experiences, promoting more understanding and openness.
Gains from leaving the body
The survey also revealed some unexpected positives. Over half of the participants claimed the experience was life-changing, with 71 percent feeling lasting benefits and 40 percent describing it as the most remarkable event in their lives. Many mentioned a lighter perspective on death, a deeper sense of calm, and strengthened connections with others. Earlier studies involving hospital patients indicated that OBEs could alleviate anxiety post-surgery.
While stress might push the brain toward an OBE, curiosity also seems to play a part. Some volunteers actively sought the experience through breathing exercises or tricks to induce sleep, hoping to recreate that mental clarity felt during the float. Similarly, those investigating meditation note comparable feelings of detachment during profound sessions, even as the body remains grounded.
Clinical implications
The researchers emphasized that this perspective shifts focus. Instead of probing why someone feels they’ve separated from their body, clinicians might ask what burdens they were carrying during the experience. Current workshops for PTSD already include grounding techniques, but some practitioners are exploring whether guided imagery—a safe mimicry of an OBE—can assist in releasing painful memories without triggering panic.
Where do OBEs go from here?
With advances in portable brain imaging and motion-sensitive beds, scientists are hopeful for clearer insights into what happens during the moment of detachment. They aim to investigate the rapid communication between the inner ear, skin sensors, and visual input that facilitates this drifting sensation. Others speculate that the heart’s deceleration during OBEs could provide new ways to address panic attacks or manage chronic pain.
The bottom line appears straightforward: when the mind strays from the body, it may just be staging a clever retreat, creating space until life feels safe again. Understanding the narrative behind this retreat could help harmonize the mind and body.
The complete study was published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences.
