Scientists Link OBEs, Sleep Paralysis

[The Present Moment]

'Flying' in your sleep may be a paralysis

People who have out-of-body experiences, such as flying along a tunnel towards a heavenly light, are more likely to suffer a strange effect called sleep paralysis, according to a survey that adds to mounting evidence for a biological explanation for the experience.

During sleep paralysis, people experience a kind of breakdown between states of consciousness which takes place on the fringe of sleep, either when falling asleep or waking. Because the brain turns off the body's ability to move during dreaming, muscles can lose their tone, or tension, causing paralysis.

The details of sleep paralysis vary from person to person. Some hear vague sounds, indistinct voices and demonic gibberish. Others see hallucinations of humans, animals and supernatural creatures. There is a striking inability to move or to speak, or a weight on the chest.

Also common are feelings of rising off the bed or flying. In addition, people report out-of-body experiences, sometimes accompanied by "autoscopy" when they look down on themselves. Not surprisingly, these moments are accompanied by fear.

Throughout history, there have also been accounts of people having visions on the brink of death - what are now called "near-death experiences".

Today, the two odd effects are linked by a study that backs the idea that the near-death experience is a biological experience, rather than anything to do with a spiritual dimension, a glimpse of heaven or the existence of the soul.

People who have had near-death experiences are also likely to have suffered sleep paralysis, according to the survey published by a team in Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, by Prof Kevin Nelson, from the University of Kentucky, Lexington.

In a survey of 55 people who had a "near-death experience" - defined as a time during a life-threatening episode when a person experienced a variety of feelings, including unusual alertness, seeing an intense light, and a feeling of peace - he found three quarters had an out-of-body experience and half of them had also felt they had left their body during the transition between wakefulness and sleep.

"We found that 96 per cent (24 of 25) of near-death subjects having sleep paralysis also had an out-of-body experience either during sleep transition or near-death," said Prof Nelson.

In a control group of 55 people, three reported an out-of-body experience. Two of them also suffered sleep paralysis. Prof Nelson says this suggests the same brain circuitry plays a role.

The sleep paralysis linked with out-of-body experiences was thought rare, but may strike between 40 per cent and 60 per cent of people at least once.

They report sensations of floating, flying, falling or leaving one's body. It ranges from relatively tranquil floating experiences to horrible feelings of falling or rising at high speed.

[no_leaf_clover]

In addition, people report out-of-body experiences, sometimes accompanied by "autoscopy" when they look down on themselves.

Science used to be based on repeated observations.  Now it seems like it's based more on trying to make everything "new" fit into older ways of looking at things.

[carlhungis]

Considering that 100% of people who sleep "suffer sleep paralasys", I would say that there is a link.  But honestly, this article just seems to be written by someone who has never had an OBE or SP for that matter.  I think that SP is definitely a stage involved, but it is not one in the same.  I think it is a gross oversimplification of something that science can't explain.

[Paola]

I had an experience where rather than breakdown of consciousness, i remained fully consciousness upon return.  There was not waking up.

I think there is more to it than meets the eye.
Either way, i find it personally a healthy activity.

Thanks
Paola

[Gandalf]

Today, the two odd effects are linked by a study that backs the idea that the near-death experience is a biological experience, rather than anything to do with a spiritual dimension, a glimpse of heaven or the existence of the soul.

er.. excuse me?

How did you work this one out exactly?

I have found that the receiver components in my tv set are responsible for screwing up my tv picture. That must mean that there is no such thing as an external signal.