Astral Projection

 Throughout history, people from all cultures have reported out of body experiences (OOBE) or a feeling of being dissociated from the physical body, even so far as to see yourself drifting above your body. It's estimated that 5 to 10% of the population has at one point had this experience, usually under anesthesia or near-death or in the form of sleep paralysis. There are also those who can have OOBE at will. 

Now scientists believe they found a way to mimic these experiences by sending electronic pulses to a specific part of the brain. The anterior precuneus lies in the front folds of the human brain and likely holds a person sense of physical self. In a study of patients with epilepsy, scientists found that stimulating this area creates a feeling of free fall or floating. Scientists found brainwave activity similar to when a patient was given ketamine treatment. In addition, patients reported they felt like they had taken psychedelic drugs. While not a true OOBE the study may provide insight into why and how the sensations are created.

One interesting question is do people who can perform astral projection control this part of their brain or is it truly an extraphysical experience? In other words, the projection of consciousness could be a function of chemistry, taking place internally, or alternatively it may be the act of the consciousness traveling to an alternative dimension. From the perspective of a psychiatrist, these OOBE are dysfunctions at the brain due to trauma, disorders, or drugs. But one argument in favor of extraphysical experiences is that people who have OOBE are often aware of events beyond their actual perspective. For example, a patient in cardiac distress may see themselves being resuscitated. 

Spontaneous OOBE often occurs at times of stress when a fear response has been triggered. The typical fight or flight response is amplified, perhaps to an unprecedented amount, in times of mortal peril - which isn't something that can be duplicated in a scientific study. Thus the evidence is mostly anecdotal. That doesn't make it any less compelling.

For more thorough explanation of astral projection and OOBE tune into an old episode where agent Kruger describes his own personal near death experience (click for link)