Experts have found a way to trigger an out-of-body experience in volunteers. The experiments, described in the Science journal, offer a scientific explanation for a phenomenon experienced by one in 10 people.
Two teams used virtual reality goggles to con the brain into thinking the body was located elsewhere. The visual illusion plus the feel of their real bodies being touched made volunteers sense that they had moved outside of their physical bodies.
The researchers say their findings could have practical applications, such as helping take video games to the next level of virtuality so the players feel as if they are actually inside the game. Clinically, surgeons might also be able to perform operations on patients thousands of miles away by controlling a robotic virtual self.
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News source: BBC News
Two teams used virtual reality goggles to con the brain into thinking the body was located elsewhere. The visual illusion plus the feel of their real bodies being touched made volunteers sense that they had moved outside of their physical bodies.
The researchers say their findings could have practical applications, such as helping take video games to the next level of virtuality so the players feel as if they are actually inside the game. Clinically, surgeons might also be able to perform operations on patients thousands of miles away by controlling a robotic virtual self.
View: Full story News source: BBC News
Basically... if you are made to believe something through the correct triggers and stimulus, then your brain fills in the gaps.
What these tests are doing sounds closer to recreating phantom limb syndrome. I would say "out of body experiences" are more about the brain doping itself up.... like tripping.
Isn't that logic completely flawed? They can do this by remote control already. So how would a Doctor, tricked into feeling like his body was elsewhere, help in this situation????
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