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J Nerv Ment Dis. 2010 Feb;198(2):163-5. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0b013e3181cc0d6d.  Out-of-body experiences and physical body activity and posture: responses from a survey conducted in Scotland.  Zingrone NL, Alvarado CS, Cardeña E  Division of Perceptual Studies, Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA. n1z5p@virginia.edu

Although there have been studies of some factors related to the features of out-of-body experiences (OBEs), the effect of physical body posture and activity has not been systematically explored. Over the years research has suggested that OBEs are more frequent in states of low physical activity and when the body is supine, in agreement with other findings related to alterations in consciousness. Thus, we predicted that OBEs would be associated with lying down and little or no physical activity, and that these factors would show a higher number of OBE features than OBEs in which the person was physically active and/or standing.

OBE cases were collected through appeals in published sources. Respondents provided a description of their only or most recent OBE and filled out a questionnaire about OBE features. The findings indicate that OBEs were associated with low physical activity and being in a supine position. Those who had experiences under these conditions also obtained a higher number of OBE features than those who were active and standing at the time of the OBE.

PMID: 20145494