Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Integrated Article

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Neuroscience

Supervisor

Frewen, Paul A.

Abstract

During out-of-body-experiences (OBE), the perceived location of one’s mental self (mind) is displaced from the known location of one’s physical self (body). OBE could help uncover mysteries underlying our experience of having and being a self, yet neuroscientific OBE inductions remain understudied. This thesis employed virtual reality (VR) and personalized video recordings to simulate OBE, comparing to stationary and ambulatory in-body experience control conditions (IBE-S and IBE-A) alongside prior naturally-occurring OBE. Compared to IBE-S and IBE-A, OBE simulations evoked significantly greater self-reports of OBE and related subjective phenomena. EEG results showed changes in all five frequency bands (but especially for alpha oscillations) at various electrode sites that were source localized to brain regions of interest to self-referential processing including cingulate cortex, insula, and parietal cortex. These findings endorse VR as an OBE induction method for exploring the neural correlates of altered bodily self-consciousness.

Summary for Lay Audience

During out-of-body-experiences (OBE), a person feels like their mind is in a different place than where their body is. Although OBE have been of longstanding interest in psychology, little is yet known about the underlying brain mechanisms that give rise to them. This thesis used virtual reality (VR) and personalized video recordings to simulate OBE. Compared to control conditions involving normal in-body-experiences (IBE), OBE simulations were associated with a unique set of experiences, and electrical brain signals, within specific brain regions. These findings can be used to further improve the design of OBE induction procedures in the future, as well as help us better understand how our minds and bodies are linked.

Download

Share

COinS