Out-of-Body Experiences by Samantha Treasure

Out-of-Body Experiences: Explorations and Encounters on the Astral Plane by Samantha Treasure

A groundbreaking and deeply researched guide to one of the most mysterious human phenomena—Out-of-Body Experiences (OBEs). In Out-of-Body Experiences, anthropologist and researcher Samantha Treasure offers a holistic, interdisciplinary investigation into how, why, and when OBEs occur—and how they differ across cultures, beliefs, and bodies.

About the Book

This book defies genre conventions by weaving together medical anthropology, neuroscience, spiritual practices, and experiential narratives. Rather than offering a simplistic how-to or personal memoir, Treasure takes a rigorous yet accessible approach to exploring OBEs from multiple dimensions:

• Fieldwork with Eckankar and interviews with Korean and Siberian shamans
• Participation in neuroscience experiments and accounts from alien contactees
• Connections between OBEs and sleep paralysis, epilepsy, and Charles Bonnet Syndrome
• Anthropological analysis of how generational, cultural, and biological factors shape OBE narratives

Treasure also critiques the commercialization of OBEs in the spiritual marketplace, challenging definitions that marginalize alternative interpretations. This guide doesn’t shy away from the bizarre or contradictory—it embraces the complexity, offering a space for both believers and skeptics to reflect.

Perfect For

A must-read for those interested in parapsychology, altered states of consciousness, cross-cultural spirituality, and experiential research. Ideal for seekers, skeptics, and scholars who want more than recycled mysticism—this is a deeply thoughtful, wide-ranging guide to understanding OBEs in all their mystery and meaning.

About the Author

Samantha Treasure is a medical anthropologist with a background in consciousness studies and spiritual traditions. Since 2015, she has been interviewing experiencers and researchers worldwide, bringing critical nuance and cultural context to some of the most misunderstood phenomena in human experience.