Summary: New research from the University of Virginia suggests that out-of-body experiences (OBEs)—moments when people feel separated from their physical bodies—may often serve as a dissociative coping mechanism triggered by trauma or intense stress rather than being a direct symptom of mental illness. An online survey of more than 500 adults found that those who reported OBEs also reported higher rates of mental-health diagnoses, yet many of these experiencers described lasting positive changes such as reduced fear of death, increased inner peace, and an expanded sense of existence.
These results challenge common stigma and encourage clinicians and the public to adopt a more compassionate, nuanced view of OBEs—one that considers trauma and adaptation as possible underlying factors.
Key Facts:
- Coping Mechanism: The study suggests OBEs may function as a dissociative response to trauma, grief, or overwhelming emotional pain.
- Reported Benefits: Many experiencers reported reduced fear of death, greater inner calm, and a lasting positive impact on their lives.
- Stigma and Clinical Care: The findings call for more sensitive clinical approaches and reduced stigma for people who report OBEs.
Source: University of Virginia
Out-of-body experiences — where people feel as if their consciousness is separate from their physical body — may often be an adaptive, trauma-related response rather than a straightforward sign of psychiatric disorder, new research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine indicates.
Lead author Marina Weiler, PhD, a neuroscientist in UVA’s Division of Perceptual Studies, notes that many people hide these experiences because they fear being judged or labeled as mentally ill. The study’s data show that those who report OBEs more often carry diagnoses of mental-health conditions, but the researchers argue this does not necessarily mean OBEs cause pathology.
Instead, the team suggests OBEs may emerge as part of a broader pattern of dissociation used to cope with adverse events. That reframing asks clinicians to look beyond the experience itself and to consider underlying trauma, stress, or grief that may have prompted the dissociative response.
What the study found
The researchers collected responses from people aged 18 and older who completed an online survey asking whether they were certain they had experienced an OBE and about their medical and mental-health history. The average reported age for a first OBE was relatively young, with many people describing their first experience in childhood.
Among those who said they had OBEs, 80% reported having one to four such episodes and 20% reported five or more. Most OBEs were spontaneous (74%). Smaller portions occurred while under the influence of psychoactive substances (9%) or were self-induced through practices like meditation or visualization (8.2%), with hypnosis rarely reported (0.7%).
Consistent with prior studies, people who reported OBEs were more likely to report prior mental-health diagnoses than those who did not report OBEs. The researchers also observed that the longer the time since an individual’s first OBE, the higher the likelihood of a later mental-health diagnosis.
Crucially, the team found elevated reports of childhood trauma among OBE experiencers, supporting the idea that OBEs may function as a dissociative coping strategy in response to overwhelming stress or emotional pain.
Experiencers also frequently described positive long-term effects: one cited study within the report found 55% said the OBE changed their life and 71% said the experience had lasting benefits; 40% described it as the greatest thing that had ever happened to them. Many reported being less afraid of death, experiencing more inner peace, and becoming more open to different ideas about existence.
Implications for clinicians and public perception
Weiler and colleagues argue that viewing OBEs primarily as symptoms of pathology risks overlooking their possible role as adaptive responses to trauma. Reframing OBEs as potential coping mechanisms could reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking when needed, and guide clinicians to address underlying trauma rather than focusing solely on the experience itself.
The authors call for more research to clarify the relationships among OBEs, trauma history, and mental-health outcomes, and to determine how best to support individuals who report these experiences. They stress that a nuanced, trauma-informed clinical approach could improve care and community for experiencers.
About this OBE, trauma, and psychology research news
Author: Josh Barney
Source: University of Virginia
Contact: Josh Barney – University of Virginia
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access. “Are out-of-body experiences indicative of an underlying psychopathology?” by Marina Weiler et al., published in Personality and Individual Differences (DOI available in the original paper).
Abstract
Are out-of-body experiences indicative of an underlying psychopathology?
Out-of-body experiences (OBEs) are phenomena in which individuals feel detached from their physical bodies. While they can resemble certain manifestations seen in neuropsychiatric conditions, their relationship to mental disorders is complex and not fully understood.
Previous research has produced mixed findings: some studies link OBEs with psychiatric conditions, whereas others report potential positive outcomes. This study examined clinical characteristics of people who report OBEs (OBErs) compared with those who do not, testing the hypothesis that OBErs would not demonstrate worse mental health.
Contrary to that hypothesis, the study found measurable differences in psychopathological profiles between OBErs and non-OBErs, though the practical significance of these differences requires further study. The researchers propose that OBEs may, at least in some cases, operate as dissociative coping mechanisms rather than as direct indicators of psychopathology.
This reframing invites a broader, more nuanced understanding of OBEs, recognizing them as potentially adaptive responses to stress or trauma and encouraging study and care approaches that avoid unnecessary pathologization.