Study Links Out-of-Body Experiences to Increased Mental Health Symptoms

A recent study published in the journal *Personality and Individual Differences* has found a significant correlation between out-of-body experiences (OBEs) and increased rates of psychological distress, trauma history, and dissociative symptoms. The research indicates that individuals who report OBEs are more likely to exhibit symptoms associated with common mental health disorders, raising questions about the nature of these experiences and their implications for mental health.

Conducted by Marina Weiler, an assistant professor of psychiatry and neurobehavioral sciences at the University of Virginia, the study involved 545 adult participants, of whom 256 reported having experienced an out-of-body episode. The participants were recruited through various online platforms and completed a series of questionnaires assessing their mental health, childhood trauma, and social functioning. According to Weiler, the stigma surrounding OBEs has often led individuals to conceal their experiences for fear of being labeled as mentally ill. "Many experiencers are reluctant to share their stories, fearing they’ll be dismissed as ‘crazy’ due to the prevailing negative portrayal of OBEs in the literature," she stated.

The study utilized several well-known psychological assessment tools: the Self-Reporting Questionnaire, which identifies common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression; the Social Adjustment Scale, which evaluates social functioning; the Dissociative Experiences Scale, which measures symptoms like depersonalization; and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, which assesses past abuse. The results indicated that participants who had experienced OBEs scored significantly higher on nearly all measures. For instance, 40% of individuals who reported OBEs fell within a clinical concern range for dissociation, compared to just 14% of those who had never had such experiences. Furthermore, 53% of the OBE group met the criteria for a common mental disorder, in contrast to 44% of the control group.

Interestingly, the findings suggest that OBEs may not necessarily be harmful but could serve as coping mechanisms for individuals dealing with trauma. Weiler noted, "Rather than causing psychological distress, OBEs might provide individuals with a psychological means to manage or distance themselves from traumatic experiences."

Despite these associations, the researchers caution against drawing simplistic conclusions. The study does not prove that OBEs are inherently pathological or indicative of mental illness. "Although individuals who experience OBEs show statistically higher levels of psychiatric symptoms and dissociation, this does not mean OBEs are harmful or causative of mental illness," Weiler emphasized. She advocates for a more nuanced understanding of OBEs, encouraging mental health professionals to differentiate between pathological cases and those that may be adaptive or beneficial.

The study’s limitations include reliance on self-reported data, which may be influenced by memory biases, and the lack of qualitative assessments that explore the context and subjective meaning of individual experiences. Future research is necessary to delve deeper into the neural mechanisms underlying OBEs and their varied psychological impacts.

Weiler's long-term research goals focus on reducing the stigma surrounding OBEs and fostering an environment where individuals can share their experiences without fear of judgment. "By expanding our understanding of OBEs, I hope to illuminate how these experiences can potentially serve as catalysts for personal transformation and psychological growth," she concluded.

In summary, while the study highlights concerning trends linking OBEs to mental health issues, it also opens the door to a more compassionate discourse about the experiences themselves, advocating for a shift from pathology to potential personal empowerment. The study, titled *Are out-of-body experiences indicative of an underlying psychopathology?*, was co-authored by Weiler, Alexander Moreira-Almeida, and Martin M. Monti.