Out of Body, Loss of Self: Spiritual or Scary?
Elpine M. de Boer
Religions October 29, 2020 DOI: 10.3390/rel11110558 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 171 |
| Population | Respondents reporting to have had an out-of-body experience |
| Topics | Anxiety |
| Keywords | Out-of-body experience Self loss Spirituality |
| Key findings | Anxiety during or after an OBE is linked to ego loss or deconstruction, low mindfulness, and lack of self-concept clarity, but not to relational self loss such as mystical or positive spiritual experiences. |
Abstract
The main aim of the present study is to investigate when “loss of self” results in scaredness or anxiety during or after an out-of body-experience (OBE). An OBE is an intense form of (bodily) self loss in which people have the impression that their self is located outside their body. In a sample of respondents reporting to have had an OBE (n = 171), anxiety and different conceptualizations of “self loss” were assessed. In addition, questions were asked about meaning making processes after the OBE. Results show that there was no relationship between anxiety and self loss with a relational component (i.e., mystical experiences, positive spiritual experiences). However, there was significantly more anxiety in respondents who (1) (have) experience(d) ego loss/deconstruction, (2) have difficulties to (re)turn their attention to an internal bodily state (low mindfulness) and/or (3) experience a lack of self-concept clarity. Respondents who did not succeed in making sense of their OBE experience more anxiety, more ego loss/deconstruction, lower mindfulness and higher self-unclarity. Finally, the article examines how respondents explain their OBE (by using, for instance, medical, spiritual or psychological explanations) and how and why respondents do (not) succeed in making sense of the OBE.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report Patients with a depressive disorder | 2015 | Observational study | |
| Patterning of Cognitive and Somatic Processes in the Self-Regulation of Anxiety: Effects of Meditation versus Exercise Regular practitioners of physical exercise or meditation | 1978 | Retrospective study | n = 77 |
| Dynamic coupling of whole-brain neuronal and neurotransmitter systems Healthy humans | 2020 | Observational study | |
| Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: A population study Randomly selected United States adults | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 135,095 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Exploring the transformative potential of out-of-body experiences: A pathway to enhanced empathy. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews August 1, 2024
- Introduction to the Special Issue “Religious and Spiritual Experiences” Religions April 29, 2021
- Recent Publications of Note 3(1) Journal of Anomalous Experience and Cognition April 3, 2023
- Making sense of the extraordinary - An investigation of the content and prevalence of appraisals of nonordinary experiences. PLoS One August 5, 2026
- Self, Other, and Higher Power: A “Relational Triad” Moderates Associations Between Mystical Experience and Mental Health International Journal for the Psychology of Religion October 1, 2024
and 1 more in the library
Cites 13
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