Out-of-body experience and astral travel: a phenomenon that can be induced in a laboratory
Suddenly you see yourself from above, lying in bed. Esotericists call it astral travel; neurologists call it an out-of-body experience. Both are describing the same phenomenon.
Ezostylia Editorial Team · facts checked in sources · updated 31.10.2026
The astral body in tradition
The idea of a subtle body that can leave the physical one appears in many cultures: the Egyptian ba, the Hindu subtle body, and in the nineteenth century Theosophy, which popularised the concept of the astral body. Esoteric traditions teach techniques for "leaving" the body at the threshold between sleep and wakefulness.
The experiment that changed the debate
In 2002, Swiss neurologist Olaf Blanke described in Nature the case of a 43-year-old patient with epilepsy in whom electrodes had been implanted prior to surgery. Mild stimulation of the right angular gyrus produced a sensation of sinking into the bed. Stronger stimulation induced an out-of-body experience: "I see myself lying in bed, from above, but I can only see my legs and the lower part of my torso."
The researchers' conclusion: the brain constantly integrates vision, balance, and bodily sensation into a single sense of "here I am". When this synthesis breaks down, we may feel that we are outside our body.
When it happens spontaneously
Out-of-body experiences are reported by people during near-death experiences (NDEs), while falling asleep or waking up, during sleep paralysis, during meditation, and also under conditions of extreme fatigue. For many it is a beautiful experience; for others it is terrifying.
How to think about it
The fact that the experience can be induced in a laboratory does not settle the question of whether every instance is merely an illusion, but it does demonstrate how significant a role the brain plays in it. If such states occur frequently and cause you distress, it is worth discussing them with a doctor or psychologist.
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Sources
Blanke i in., Nature 2002 (opis, Uniwersytet Waszyngtoński) · Out-of-body experience, Wikipedia
Frequently asked questions
Is astral travel dangerous?
The experience itself is not harmful, but frequent, uncontrolled out-of-body episodes may accompany sleep disorders or epilepsy, so it is worth consulting a doctor.
Which part of the brain is associated with out-of-body experiences?
In Blanke's 2002 experiment, the experience was induced by stimulation of the right angular gyrus, an area that integrates information about balance, vision, and the body.