Astral projection
Scientific reception
Scientific reception
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There is no known scientific evidence that astral projection as an objective phenomenon exists,.. although there are cases of patients having experiences suggestive of astral projection from [brain stimulation](/wiki/Deep_brain_stimulation "Deep brain stimulation") treatments and [hallucinogenic drugs](/wiki/Hallucinogen "Hallucinogen"), such as [ketamine](/wiki/Ketamine "Ketamine"), [phencyclidine](/wiki/Phencyclidine "Phencyclidine"), and [DMT](/wiki/N%2CN-Dimethyltryptamine "N,N-Dimethyltryptamine"). Subjects in parapsychological experiments have attempted to project their astral bodies to distant rooms and see what was happening. However, such experiments have not produced clear results.

Psychologist [Donovan Rawcliffe](/wiki/Donovan_Rawcliffe "Donovan Rawcliffe") wrote that astral projection can be explained by [delusion](/wiki/Delusion "Delusion"), [hallucination](/wiki/Hallucination "Hallucination"), and vivid dreams. Arthur W. Wiggins wrote that purported evidence of the ability to astrally travel great distances and give descriptions of places visited is predominantly anecdotal and considers astral travel an [illusion](/wiki/Illusion "Illusion"). He looks to [neuroanatomy](/wiki/Neuroanatomy "Neuroanatomy"), prior knowledge, and human belief and imagination to provide prosaic explanations for those who experience it. [Robert Todd Carroll](/wiki/Robert_Todd_Carroll "Robert Todd Carroll") writes that the main evidence to support claims of astral travel is anecdotal and comes "in the form of testimonials of those who claim to have experienced being out of their bodies when they may have been out of their minds."


Does scientific evidence prove that astral projection exists?