Using Eye Movements to Signal the Onset of Self-Induced Out-of-Body Experiences (OBEs)

An out-of-body experience (OBE) is a phenomenon in which an individual experiences a detachment of their consciousness from their physical body. The neural mechanisms underlying OBEs remain elusive, primarily due to their unpredictable and spontaneous nature, making their study particularly challenging. Using individuals who can self-induce OBEs in a laboratory setting could be a fruitful avenue for advancing our understanding of the neural signatures and accompaniments of these experiences. However, a significant challenge associated with controlled OBEs is accurately determining the onset of the experience. In this pilot study, we investigated three participants who claimed to self-induce OBEs at will. We sought to determine whether they could report successful OBE self-induction within the confines of a laboratory environment. Furthermore, we aimed to assess the feasibility of using volitional horizontal eye movements as a marker for the onset of the OBE, using an electrooculography (EOG) measurement. Throughout the experimental sessions, we identified room arrangement and environmental factors facilitating OBE self-induction. Two participants reported successful OBE self-induction. Importantly, we found that horizontal eye movements as measured with EOG could potentially serve as a time marker of OBE occurrence, as one of the participants reported generating the instructed eye movement pattern at OBE onset in all three of her sessions, which was corroborated by EOG traces. This research method opens up new avenues for further laboratory exploration and investigation into this intriguing phenomenon.