Astral Travel? What Science Says About Leaving Your Body

Since ancient times, accounts of experiences of “astral travel” have captured the imagination of many cultures. The idea of leaving one’s physical body and exploring other dimensions is a recurring theme in spirituality, mysticism, and more recently, popular culture. But what does science have to say about this phenomenon? In this article, we will explore what astral travel is, what similar experiences have been studied in scientific contexts, and how neuroscience and psychology have sought to understand this intriguing idea.

What is astral travel?

Astral travel, also known as an out-of-body experience (OBE), is described as the sensation of one's "consciousness" or "soul" leaving the physical body and moving freely in space or other dimensions. In many spiritual traditions, this concept is linked to the belief in a subtle or energetic body that can travel independently of the physical body.

Although most accounts come from religious or esoteric contexts, astral travel has also gained popularity through books, films and online testimonies. Some people claim to have had these experiences spontaneously, while others claim to be able to induce them through practices such as deep meditation, lucid dreaming or the use of psychoactive substances.

Astral travel and science: reality or illusion?

Although subjective accounts of astral travel are abundant, science approaches this phenomenon from a critical point of view, asking whether consciousness can really separate from the body. To answer this question, researchers have studied related phenomena, such as EECs, which are often reported in extreme situations such as trauma, anesthesia, or near-death experiences.

1. Out-of-body experiences (OBE) in the laboratory

An OBE is a subjective sensation in which a person feels that they are outside their body, often observing it from an external perspective. This phenomenon has been reproduced under controlled conditions by stimulating certain areas of the brain, such as the angular gyrus in the parietal lobe. In 2002, a study led by neuroscientist Olaf Blanke at the University of Geneva succeeded in inducing an OBE by applying electrical stimuli to this region of the brain of an epileptic patient. This suggests that these experiences may be the result of an alteration in the multisensory integration of the brain, rather than a spiritual phenomenon.

2. Relationship with lucid dreams

Lucid dreaming, in which a person is aware that they are dreaming and can influence the course of the dream, shares similarities with accounts of astral travel. Research suggests that both lucid dreaming and OBEs could be explained by similar neurobiological mechanisms. For example, a study published in Frontiers in Psychology in 2020 notes that out-of-body experiences could be linked to transitional states between wakefulness and sleep, when the barriers between reality and imagination become weaker.

3. Near-death experiences

Astral travel is also frequently associated with near-death experiences (NDEs), in which people report sensations of floating outside the body, passing through tunnels of light, or feeling a deep peace. Although some interpret this as evidence of the existence of an immortal soul, science proposes alternative explanations. According to an article published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences , these phenomena could be caused by cerebral anoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain), release of endorphins, or abnormal activity in the temporal lobe.

4. Psychological perspectives

From a psychological perspective, astral travel has also been linked to dissociative disorders, in which people experience a disconnection between the mind and the body. Researcher Susan Blackmore, author of the book Beyond the Body , argues that many of these experiences can be understood as mental constructs influenced by cultural expectations and personal beliefs.

Criticism and controversy

Despite scientific explanations, proponents of astral travel argue that these phenomena cannot be reduced to brain processes. Some paranormal researchers, such as Dean Radin, have explored the possibility that consciousness has properties that are not limited by the brain, suggesting that it might interact with the environment in ways not yet understood.

However, most scientists are skeptical of these claims. One of the main problems is the lack of objective evidence. Despite numerous experiments, it has not been possible to conclusively prove that someone can perceive external information during an "astral journey" without the use of physical senses.

Applications and future of research

Although astral travel remains a controversial phenomenon, studies on OBEs and altered states of consciousness have potential applications in fields such as neuroscience, medicine, and psychotherapy. For example:

• Treatment of psychiatric disorders: Understanding how and why EECs occur may help in the treatment of dissociative and sleep disorders.
• Virtual reality: Studies on body perception could improve immersion and interaction in virtual reality environments.
• Palliative care: Researching near-death experiences could provide new insights into improving the emotional care of terminally ill patients.

Conclusion

Astral travel is a fascinating topic that combines the spiritual, the cultural, and the scientific. Although subjective accounts can be deeply meaningful to those who experience it, scientific research suggests that these phenomena are more related to brain activity and subjective perceptions than to a true separation of consciousness from the body. However, the study of OCS and altered states of consciousness remains an active and promising field, which could offer valuable contributions to our understanding of the human mind.

Sources

1. Blanke, O., & Arzy, S. (2005). "The Out-of-Body Experience: Disturbed Self-Processing at the Temporo-Parietal Junction." Neuroscientist , 11(1), 16-24.
2. Blackmore, S. (1993). Beyond the Body: An Investigation of Out-of-the-Body Experiences . Academy Chicago Publishers.
3. Thonnard, M., et al. (2013). "Characteristics of Near-Death Experiences Memories as Compared to Real and Imagined Events Memories." PLoS ONE , 8(3), e57620.
4. Radin, D. (2006). Entangled Minds: Extrasensory Experiences in a Quantum Reality . Paraview Pocket Books.
5. Voss, U., et al. (2009). "Lucid Dreaming: A State of Consciousness with Features of Both Waking and Non-Lucid Dreaming." Sleep , 32(9), 1191-1200.