Out-of-body experiences (OBEs) are one of those fascinating topics that spark a whirlwind of curiosity. We've all heard the stories—people feeling as though they’re floating above their bodies, witnessing events from an outside perspective. While much of the buzz around OBEs leans into the ethereal and metaphysical, my recent work has peeled back layers to reveal a more perplexing truth: These experiences can sometimes be downright terrifying, especially for children.

As a parent, my interest in OBEs has become more personal, extending beyond just research. Recently, I discovered that my 8-year-old son has been grappling with various sleep-related phenomena, including OBEs and sleep paralysis. The realization hit me when I noted his increasing anxiety about sleeping alone, leading to a nightly struggle where bedtime seemed to morph into a battle of wills. Despite being an otherwise happy and fearless child, he experiences intense fear in the dark, frequently waking up and racing to my room for comfort. I could have chalked this up to ordinary........

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