Out-of-body experience
An out-of-body experience is the reported feeling of being separated from one's physical body, often observing it from outside.
Overview
Key Insight
OBEs raise questions about the relationship between consciousness and the body. They are studied as subjective experiences in psychology and neuroscience.
Scientific Status
Out-of-body experiences are studied in psychology and neuroscience. Researchers propose brain-based explanations; there is no scientific consensus that consciousness literally leaves the body.
How Researchers Study It
Researchers use self-reports, sleep studies, brain imaging, and experiments that can induce OBE-like experiences in the lab.
Quick Facts
- Field
- neuroscience, psychology
- Related Concepts
- astral projection, lucid dream, body schema
- Typical Context
- sleep, trauma, meditation
Related Terms
FAQ
Do out-of-body experiences prove the soul leaves the body?
No. Science studies OBEs as brain-based experiences; they are not evidence that consciousness literally separates from the body.