Out of body experience facts for kids

An Out of Body Experience (or OBE) is a strange feeling where you sense that you are not inside your physical body. It's like you can see, hear, and move around, or even fly, while your body stays still, often sleeping. These experiences are not very common and usually do not last long.

When Do OBEs Happen?

OBEs often happen when someone is just waking up or falling asleep. They can also occur if a person is very close to dying. This type of OBE is called a Near Death Experience (NDE). Sometimes, people report having OBEs during extreme physical activities, like running a very long race or climbing a tall mountain.

How a Classical OBE Works

Many OBEs follow a similar pattern, which people call a "classical" OBE.

• Before the OBE: The person stops paying attention to the world around them. They might be sleeping or meditating. Their mind is not focused on what their eyes or ears are sensing.

• Sleep Paralysis: Next, they might experience sleep paralysis. This means they cannot move their body at all. They might hear strange sounds or feel a buzzing sensation all over their body. Sometimes, their heart might beat very fast. This part can feel scary because it is so unusual.

• Separation Feeling: After the paralysis, they feel like they are lifting up and moving away from their body. Their physical body stays in bed, but they feel like they are moving towards a different place. There might be a strong pull back towards their body, especially when they are close to it.

• Free Movement: Once the pull stops, they can move freely. They might walk or even fly anywhere they wish. This part often feels very easy and light.

• Returning: Soon, they feel a need to go back to their body. If they do not return on their own, a strong pull might quickly bring them back. They might also simply wake up or fall deeper into sleep.

Some people also describe "phasing" OBEs. In these, they just stop noticing the world and suddenly start seeing things from outside their body. There is no sleep paralysis in these cases, so they might even be able to talk while it happens.

Different Places in an OBE

People who have OBEs often say they see two main types of places. A researcher named Robert Monroe called them Locale I and Locale II. Others might call them the etheric plane and the astral plane.

• Locale I places look like normal places in the real world. You might see your own bedroom or your sleeping body in Locale I.
• Locale II places are more like dream worlds or heavenly places. They can look very different from the real world.

What Are OBEs?

There are different ideas about what OBEs really are. Some people think OBEs are just a type of dream. However, others say that OBEs feel very different from regular dreams.

Some people believe that during an OBE, you are like a ghost, and the things you see are actually real. These people sometimes call OBEs "astral projections."

Scientists like Sam Parnia are doing studies to learn more. They are testing if people who have NDEs in hospitals can really see hidden pictures that are placed out of sight. This helps them try to understand if the person's awareness truly leaves their body.

Images for kids

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  An old drawing from the 1800s showing a soul leaving the body.

See also

In Spanish: Experiencia extracorporal para niños