By John Salak –
It appears that one major transformation can lead to another. Consider out-of-body experiences. They occur when people reportedly perceive that world from outside their physical bodies. The unique perspective apparently helps people develop greater empathy and improves their ability to connect to others—at least according to one recent study. What may be more amazing is that these experiences, like near-death episodes, are not all uncommon. In fact, it’s estimated that about 10 percent of people worldwide have an out-of-body experience once in their lifetimes leading to out-of-body emotional benefits.
Admittedly, conducting investigations into the science and implications of these events is tricky because these experiences are generally spontaneous and short in duration. But this didn’t stop researchers from the University of Virginia School of Medicine from delving into their impact. The research team found that the experience is transformative, making those who go out-of-body more empathetic and receptive to others.
The investigation not only allowed the university to explore the complex relationship between altered states of consciousness and empathy. Its findings may lead to new ways to foster empathy, which it notes could be particularly important during what it described as a “fractured time for American society—and the world.”
“Empathy is a fundamental aspect of human interaction that allows individuals to connect deeply with others, fostering trust and understanding,” said UVA’s Marina Weiler, PhD, the study’s author and a neuroscientist with the university’s Division of Perceptual Studies.
“The exploration, refinement and application of methods to enhance empathy in individuals—whether through OBE [out-of-body experience]-related ego dissolution or other approaches—is an exciting avenue with potentially profound implications for individuals and society at large,” she added.
Weiler specifically examined whether the dramatic increases in empathy seen in people who undergo out-of-body experiences may result from what is known as “ego dissolution”—the loss of the sense of self. In these instances, people feel they have been severed from their physical form and have connected with the universe at a deeper level. Also known as “ego death” or “ego loss,” this state can be brought on by near-death experiences, hallucinogenic drugs and other causes.
“The detachment from the physical body often leads to a sense of interconnectedness with all life and a deepened emotional connection with others,” the report noted. “These sensations of interconnectedness can persist beyond the experience itself, reshaping the individual’s perception and fostering increased empathy, thereby influencing personal relationships and societal harmony.”
Out-of-body experiences can be extremely powerful because many report they seem more real than reality itself. This sense of transcendental connectedness can translate into “prosocial” behaviors afterward, the research team explained.
Ultimately, experiencers often become more compassionate, more patient and more understanding. More than half of those involved in one study described their post-experience relationships with others as more peaceful and harmonious. Many going through these events also become more spiritual and more convinced of the possibility of life after death.
Exactly how these experiences impact the brain remains uncertain, but the study notes that the lasting effects of out-of-body experiences are not.
“Interest in cultivating empathy and other prosocial emotions and behaviors is widespread worldwide,” the research team concluded. “Understanding how virtues related to consideration for others can be nurtured is a goal with personal, societal and potentially global implications.”
