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Astral projection: Why some people feel they have left their bodies while asleep
02nd July, 2026 01:00 PM
For some people, sleep is simply a break from the day. For others, it can bring an unusual experience: the feeling of floating above the bed, moving through a familiar room or travelling somewhere far beyond it.
This experience is often described as astral projection, while others call it soul travel, an out-of-body experience or a spiritual journey. It has long been discussed in spiritual circles, meditation groups and online communities, where people share stories of feeling separated from their physical bodies.
What does ‘astral projection’ mean?
Astral projection is the belief that a person’s consciousness, spirit or “astral body” can temporarily leave the physical body and move independently. Those who believe in it often describe sensations of vibration, floating, falling, hearing unusual sounds or seeing themselves from above.
According to the Journal of Sleep Research, in spiritual traditions, soul travel is sometimes viewed as a deeper practice. It is believed to offer a chance for reflection, healing, prayer, self-discovery or connection with places and people beyond ordinary physical life.
However, science does not confirm that consciousness literally leaves the body. Researchers generally describe these moments as out-of-body experiences, which can happen when the brain’s sense of body position, movement and awareness becomes altered.
How people experience it
Some people actively try to have astral projection experiences. They may use meditation, breathing exercises, visualisation, prayer, chanting or deep relaxation before sleep.
Others practise lucid dreaming, where a person becomes aware that they are dreaming while still asleep. During this state, a dream can feel extremely real, making it easy to believe that one has travelled outside the body.
People who intentionally explore these practices often say they try to remain calm while their body relaxes. They may focus on the feeling of drifting away, imagining themselves rising from the bed or moving through a peaceful space.
For them, the experience is less about fear and more about spiritual curiosity.
When it happens without warning
Not everyone seeks these experiences. Some people report waking up unable to move, feeling pressure on the chest or sensing that they are floating away from their bodies.
This can happen during sleep paralysis, a temporary state that occurs when a person becomes mentally awake while the body is still in a sleep-related state of muscle relaxation. Sleep paralysis may include vivid dreams, strange sounds, a sense that someone is in the room or the feeling of leaving the body.
Medical experts from Cleveland Clinic explain that sleep paralysis can happen during the transition between sleep and wakefulness. Stress, irregular sleep patterns, lack of sleep and sleeping on the back may increase the chances of experiencing it.
The emotional effects
For some, soul travel feels peaceful. It may leave a person feeling reflective, spiritually connected or more curious about dreams and consciousness.
For others, the experience can be frightening, especially when it happens unexpectedly. The inability to move, combined with vivid images or sensations, can create panic and make someone afraid of sleeping.
The meaning people attach to the experience can also shape how they feel afterwards. A person who sees it as a spiritual moment may feel comforted, while another who sees it as a loss of control may feel anxious.
Keeping a balanced view
Whether viewed as a spiritual practice or a sleep-related experience, astral projection remains deeply personal. It sits at the meeting point of belief, dreams, culture and the mind’s ability to create powerful sensations.
Anyone who experiences repeated sleep paralysis, disturbing dreams or anxiety around sleep may benefit from speaking to a healthcare professional. A regular sleep routine, reduced stress and enough rest can also help reduce episodes.
Soul travel may remain a mystery to many, but the experiences connected to it are real to those who go through them. The important thing is to approach them with calm, curiosity and care.
