Observed Somatic Continuance During Spontaneous Out-of-Body Experiences
The Journal of near-death studies January 1, 2022 DOI: 10.17514/jnds-2021-40-1-p12-46 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractObserved somatic continuance (OSC) describes experiences in which a person sees their own body continue to act semi-autonomously while they perceive themselves to be in a detached vantage point. This article discusses possible triggers for such experiences, drawing on theories from psychology, biology, and genetics. It considers how paranormal beliefs and space science might relate to these phenomena, though no single explanation is established. The authors suggest that OSC may arise from disruptions in normal bodily awareness or from psychological and biological factors, but they do not present empirical data or a definitive cause.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Continuance Somatic cell Social psychology Biology Genetics |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key finding | Proposes that observed somatic continuance may be triggered by disruptions in sensorimotor integration or altered states of consciousness, but the phenomenon is not yet well understood. |
Abstract
Article regarding observed somatic continuance (OSC) -- i.e., situations where an experiencer observes their physical body persisting in semi-autonomous behavior from what appears to be a detached vantage point -- and discussing possible theories about what might trigger the experiences.