Mind-wandering, which occupies much of daily life, often involves autobiographical recall and self-reflection. Brain imaging shows that a set of regions called the default mode network (DMN) is active during such spontaneous thought, but the roles of different cognitive components within the DMN were unclear. Using fMRI, researchers compared brain activity during emotional autobiographical memory recall, neutral memory recall, and resting wakefulness, with a subtraction task as a control. Both emotional recall and resting state activated shared DMN regions compared to the control.
Nonordinary experiences (NOEs) such as déjà vu, intense compassion, and out-of-body sensations are common in the general population, but how researchers ask about them greatly affects reported prevalence. A mental health framing and yes/no response options both lower prevalence rates, while item clarity raises them. Across six studies totaling over 37,000 participants, déjà vu and unusually intense experiences of compassion and love were most prevalent (over 70%), while perceptions of animated objects, devotion to objects or individuals, out-of-body experiences, and seeing lights were rarer (over 13%). Despite framing and response-format effects, relative lifetime prevalence can be estimated consistently. The findings provide a validated tool for systematically identifying these experiences to study consciousness in real-world contexts.
A new feature-based, subject-centered approach to measuring mediumship and possession-like experiences was developed and validated in Brazil, where such traditions are rich. Ten key phenomenological features were identified through a multi-step process involving systematic review, input from practitioners and religious leaders, and validation in a Brazilian population sample. Some of these experiences were reported by more than 60% of participants, indicating high prevalence. The findings underscore the value of culturally sensitive, feature-based instruments for studying non-ordinary experiences across cultures and provide recommendations for future research on their phenomenology and cultural interpretations.