# Scientists recreate Out-of-Body Experience **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 24, 2007, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807 "2007-08-24T19:07:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807/121 "2007-08-28T01:50:34Z")
[QUOTE=lekatt] Yes, I am consistant, logic and truth are also consistent. [/QUOTE] So is hot weather in the Sahara. So? ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807/122 "2007-08-28T01:53:00Z")
OK, I agree this thread is not being used to discuss the OP, just to trade humerous saying. So I will move on. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807/123 "2007-08-28T02:01:38Z")
[QUOTE=lekatt] Yes, I am consistant, logic and truth are also consistent. [/QUOTE] There’s that irony again. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807/124 "2007-08-28T04:32:24Z")
Hot weather in the Sahara is consistent. Cold weather at the South Pole is consistent. That certainly does not mean that hot = cold. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807/125 "2007-08-28T04:41:50Z")
[QUOTE=Monty] Hot weather in the Sahara is consistent. Cold weather at the South Pole is consistent. That certainly does not mean that hot = cold. [/QUOTE] Even simpler: If one person is consistently wrong, and another is consistently right, it does not mean that wrong = right. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807/126 "2007-08-28T07:02:15Z")
[QUOTE=lekatt] You could look this up on the Internet, there are plenty OBE sites. Now we will talk about the real OBE. When you have an out of body experience, you are usually unconscious, but floating out of your body will wake you up rather quickly. You feel wonderful, light and peaceful, you can move around by thought and see your body down below you. You can also see the people and things in the room, and hear conversations. It is possible to go into adjoining rooms or through the ceiling. You know you are out of your body, no one needs to tell you. Then when you return to your body a feeling of heaviness returns, if you are sick or injuried the pain will return. There will never be any doubt in your mind about the separation of consciousness and body. **This would be a very quick, simple OBE** , some of them are very much more involved. Read some near death experiences, because they always start with an OBE. [/QUOTE] My bolding. Actually, that’s _not_ the simplest or quickest OBE IME. Anecdotally, a lot of the ones I’ve read about, had related to me or experienced myself involve looking at the world, realising you’re not in your actual body (but almost always in the same room) and the shock of the realisation “snapping” you back into your body. I’ve experienced that a few times, but never the rest of what you describe, which seems to be more a sort of generic mid-level OBE, what with the moving around etc. You seem to be under a mistaken impression that I don’t believe OBEs occur. I know damn well they occur, we just differ markedly in our explanation for them. Also, I disagree that \*every \*NDE starts with what (I’d think of as) an OBE. I’ve (again, anecdotally) had an NDE related to me (guy had apparently “died” under anaesthesia) that involved a straight jump into a sort of “waiting room of souls” location without any astral body stuff happening first. I would call that an NDE _without_ OBE. ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807/127 "2007-08-28T15:24:46Z")
[QUOTE=MrDibble] My bolding. Actually, that’s _not_ the simplest or quickest OBE IME. Anecdotally, a lot of the ones I’ve read about, had related to me or experienced myself involve looking at the world, realising you’re not in your actual body (but almost always in the same room) and the shock of the realisation “snapping” you back into your body. I’ve experienced that a few times, but never the rest of what you describe, which seems to be more a sort of generic mid-level OBE, what with the moving around etc. You seem to be under a mistaken impression that I don’t believe OBEs occur. I know damn well they occur, we just differ markedly in our explanation for them. Also, I disagree that \*every \*NDE starts with what (I’d think of as) an OBE. I’ve (again, anecdotally) had an NDE related to me (guy had apparently “died” under anaesthesia) that involved a straight jump into a sort of “waiting room of souls” location without any astral body stuff happening first. I would call that an NDE _without_ OBE. [/QUOTE] He couldn’t have jumped into a waiting room for souls if he hadn’t left his body. It is true that some don’t notice they are out of body until they are returned to their body. Each experience is unique, but with similar events. I have read thousands of spiritual experiences and had a few dozen myself. One can not say what will happen, with spirit anything is possible. I am glad you have experienced and believe. Look for the trends and patterns while reading a few hundred experiences. Love ---
**Author:** ![ForumBot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ee59a6/32.png) [@ForumBot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForumBot)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807/128 "2007-08-28T18:56:57Z")
I’ve had an out of body experience, but I was _really, really, really_ under the influence. Many different influences, to be exact. It was pretty cool, but nothing more than an illusion. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2007, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807/129 "2007-08-29T09:53:36Z")
[QUOTE=lekatt] He couldn’t have jumped into a waiting room for souls if he hadn’t left his body. [/QUOTE] But he \*did not \*experience not being in his body - which you said (and I agree) was a central feature of OBE: “You know you are out of your body, no one needs to tell you”. As far as he was aware, it _was_ his body in the “waiting room”. [QUOTE=lekatt] I am glad you have experienced and believe. [/QUOTE] I have _experienced_. I _believe_ it’s a brain glitch. I’m glad that makes you glad. ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2007, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807/130 "2007-08-29T13:11:54Z")
[QUOTE=MrDibble] But he \*did not \*experience not being in his body - which you said (and I agree) was a central feature of OBE: “You know you are out of your body, no one needs to tell you”. As far as he was aware, it _was_ his body in the “waiting room”. I have _experienced_. I _believe_ it’s a brain glitch. I’m glad that makes you glad. [/QUOTE] I would have to talk to him to discover how he felt about it, and what happened. Some people wake up and feel they are facing south, but their body is really facing north, some feel a lift-up of their spirit and know their body still remains on the bed. There are hundreds of ways of experiencing being out of body. If your belief system doesn’t believe it is possible, then you will likely think it to be a glitch. It is amazing to me how many brain misfires, glitches, burps, and farts that scientists attribute to things they can’t explain. We leave our bodies on a regular basis during sleep, some more that others. The spirit does not need sleep so wanders around in the spirit world producing dreams that can’t be interpreted logically. There are flying dreams, just skidding along slightly about ground, dreams where you are running from some kind of monster, collages of known things out of order, meeting people you know, etc., then when it is over falling down an elevator shaft or off a high something brings you back into your body. As I said before read and learn, you will be glad you did. ---
**Author:** ![ForumBot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ee59a6/32.png) [@ForumBot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForumBot)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2007, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807/131 "2007-08-29T16:39:36Z")
Oh, and schizophrenia is multiple spirits inhabiting one body. And lying is a devious spirit which has entered the body. Reading is the act of going back in time and interrogating another person’s spirit. Farting is the expulsion of the negative spirit. This is fun. > [@Lekatt](#): > > It is amazing to me how many brain misfires, glitches, burps, and farts that scientists attribute to things they can’t explain. Haven’t explained yet. There is a critical difference. ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2007, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807/132 "2007-08-29T18:27:26Z")
[QUOTE=ForumBot] Oh, and schizophrenia is multiple spirits inhabiting one body. And lying is a devious spirit which has entered the body. Reading is the act of going back in time and interrogating another person’s spirit. Farting is the expulsion of the negative spirit. This is fun. Haven’t explained yet. There is a critical difference. [/QUOTE] Guess that means you won’t be learning or reading. I don’t see any difference, some of those misfires science has been trying to explain for over 100 years. Like OBEs, and NDEs. ---
**Author:** ![ForumBot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ee59a6/32.png) [@ForumBot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForumBot)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2007, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807/133 "2007-08-29T18:45:59Z")
I’m sorry, but reading what? You have been asked for a cite repeatedly and haven’t brought a single one out. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and you don’t seem to have any except for “things that can be read.” ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2007, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807/134 "2007-08-29T18:51:51Z")
Well I’m sure I’m way out of my league here but how can they be sure they have recreated an OBE unless they have experienced one for themselves? And **Lekatt** , how can you be sure they haven’t unless you have A had one your self and B done one with their machine? ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2007, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807/135 "2007-08-29T19:10:47Z")
[QUOTE=Omegaman] And Lekatt, how can you be sure they haven’t unless you have A had one your self and B done one with their machine? [/QUOTE] I’ve been peeking in on this one too, and wondered the same thing, put someone who has had a OBE in that machine, and for that matter use his feedback to program the machine further. But all and all I still think at best this machine can only simulate the real thing, it will never be able to duplicate it IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![ForumBot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ee59a6/32.png) [@ForumBot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForumBot)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2007, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807/136 "2007-08-29T19:12:50Z")
Well, if the consciousness can’t tell a difference, is there really one? ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2007, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807/137 "2007-08-29T20:32:52Z")
[QUOTE=Omegaman] Well I’m sure I’m way out of my league here but how can they be sure they have recreated an OBE unless they have experienced one for themselves? And **Lekatt** , how can you be sure they haven’t unless you have A had one your self and B done one with their machine? [/QUOTE] I have been out of body more than once, their machine is only a set of goggles that allow you to see yourself as you would if out of body. Same thing can be done with mirrors. The difference between the two is somewhat like going on an ocean cruise and watching a movie of it. ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2007, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807/138 "2007-08-29T20:35:52Z")
[QUOTE=ForumBot] Well, if the consciousness can’t tell a difference, is there really one? [/QUOTE] This is an important point. It is how things work. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2007, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807/139 "2007-08-29T20:50:40Z")
[QUOTE=lekatt] I have been out of body more than once, their machine is only a set of goggles that allow you to see yourself as you would if out of body. Same thing can be done with mirrors. The difference between the two is somewhat like going on an ocean cruise and watching a movie of it. [/QUOTE] Well I’ll take your word for it. The set up they have looks a little on the hokey side to me, but then again I’ve never had a OBE either. As long as you feel comfortable making that call. Putting a video camera behind my head wouldn’t, by my mind, qualify, as an OBE, as long as your sure that’s not what it’s like. Any body else here ever had one? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2007, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807/140 "2007-08-29T21:22:38Z")
[QUOTE=Omegaman] Well I’ll take your word for it. [/QUOTE] I wouldn’t. He may have had a “natural” OBE, but he has no experience at all with the set up described in the article, and has no basis at all for making the comparison that he did. Which is not to say that he’s necessarily _wrong_. It could very well be that there’s a vast difference between a “real” and artificial OBE. But **lekatt** is not in a position to know if that’s the case, and has already demonstrated his heavy bias against these scientists, so he’s not reliably objective on the subject. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-recreate-out-of-body-experience/416807.md?page=8)