Extraterrestrial, Running Over Pedestrians
Cambridge University Press eBooks March 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1017/9781009322348.006 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that alien abduction experiences can be understood through neuroscience, particularly memory formation and reconsolidation, memory's vulnerability to suggestion, and the influence of cultural narratives, hypnosis, and dissociation. The author contends that such encounters are meaningful phenomena produced by the brain's storytelling machinery rather than reflections of objective reality, and that they illuminate how belief systems form around unexplained experiences. |
Abstract
Alien abduction reports often follow a strikingly familiar pattern: lost time, immobilization, floating, bright lights, and invasive procedures. These memories are emotionally intense and vividly detailed—even when the events themselves can’t be verified. This chapter explores how neuroscience might explain why such experiences feel real, even when they may not reflect objective reality. Topics include memory formation and reconsolidation, the vulnerability of memory to suggestion, and the ways cultural narratives can shape the content of extraordinary experiences. It also touches on hypnosis, dissociation, and why some individuals may be more prone to magical thinking or altered states of consciousness. Through this lens, alien encounters are reframed as meaningful phenomena rooted in the brain’s powerful (and sometimes flawed) storytelling machinery—offering insight into how belief systems form around experiences that defy conventional explanation.