Overview
- Researchers at the D'Or Institute published a peer‑reviewed PLOS One paper reporting results from a 47‑question version of the Inventory of Nonordinary Experiences that was refined with 160 pilot participants and then completed by 5,117 Brazilians.
- The study found many people report visions, sensing presences, out‑of‑body episodes, hearing voices and similar events, with about 57% saying they were awake and alert during the experience and roughly 39% saying they were alone.
- Respondents most often appraised these events as neutral or positive: about 51% reported positive long‑term effects, roughly 20% reported a negative impact, and about 25% said the events caused suffering or discomfort.
- When asked about causes, participants most commonly cited no agent or random chance (about 36% and 41% respectively), while smaller shares named gods (≈16%) or the Holy Spirit (≈11%).
- Authors say the survey separates context, raw experience and meaning‑making and therefore suggests interpretation and culture shape harm or benefit; they urge stigma reduction, recommend clinical help only if daily life is impaired, and note limits including self‑report data and a Brazil‑only sample.