The future of perceptual manipulation

Out-of-body episodes have traditionally been associated with potent psychedelic agents, dream-like states, or near-death experiences. With the rise of more advanced technology, however, it appears that out-of-body experiences can be triggered much more easily. Equipment with various levels of sophistication has been used to trick a subject’s brain into accepting ownership of a different body or body part, facilitating the sensorial deception known as body transfer illusion. To ensure the successful production of this effect, bottom-up mechanisms must override top-down processes. In other words, basic sensory inputs must trump knowledge-activated cognition.