Experiências extraordinárias transformam incômodo imediato em ganhos duradouros

by Public Library of Science

edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Robert Egan

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One-fourth of people who undergo an extraordinary experience report immediate discomfort, but more than half say the experience caused positive long-term effects, according to a study published Aug. 5, 2026, in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Ronald Fischer of Instituto D'Or de Pesquisa e Ensino in São Paulo, Brazil, and colleagues.

Unlikely coincidences. Out-of-body experiences. Extrasensory perception. Extraordinary experiences like these are intrinsic to the human condition. But nonordinary events can be interpreted in myriad ways: Perhaps Person A finds religion in a near-death experience, while Person B dismisses the occurrence as random chance. In some cultures, nonordinary experiences (like hearing voices) are perceived as supernatural; in others, as a symptom of psychosis.

Whether nonordinary experiences are framed as religious, spiritual, paranormal or pathological, those affected may flourish or languish in the aftermath. This study explored how individuals interpret nonordinary experiences and which appraisals are associated with the best outcomes.

Testing a broader questionnaire

Fischer and colleagues first validated the Inventory of Nonordinary Experiences, which assesses the universal, cultural and religious dimensions of nonordinary experiences. The researchers asked 160 Brazilian adults to rate the understandability of each question, noting issues like vague language or missing response options. Participants evaluated the assessment's 38 core questions alongside nine new additions, all of which were modified until an understanding rate of at least 80% was achieved.

The researchers administered all 47 validated questions to 5,117 people representing the general population. Responses suggest that nonordinary experiences are generally interpreted through a common set of beliefs. Specifics include:

• 20% of respondents reported a negative impact from their nonordinary experience, and 25% reported suffering or discomfort.
• 51% of participants said their nonordinary experience promoted positive long-term effects.
• About 39% of participants reported being alone during their experience. About 57% reported being awake and alert.
• Most participants attributed their nonordinary experience to random chance.
• Most participants reported having some degree of control over their experience.

These descriptive results highlight the complexities inherent in processing nonordinary experiences. The researchers hope this information can be used to promote well-being and mental health.

Meaning shapes the aftermath

Fischer adds, "Experiences like sensing a presence, having a vision, or feeling as though you are observing yourself from outside your own body are far more common in the general population than clinical diagnosis rates would suggest. We observed that most people in our sample of more than 5,000 participants who report them are not unwell, and most describe them as neutral or positive—both at the time they occur and also when looking back and reflecting on that experience."

"Previous research has often failed to differentiate between the experience and how people make sense of such diverse and challenging experiences. Our work stands out in that we squarely focus on where and when these experiences happened and how people tried to make sense of them. By clearly separating the context, the experience and the meaning-making processes, the patterns we observe challenge various assumptions that have guided previous theory, research and clinical practice."

"For many people, such experiences can be meaningful and lead to personal growth and insight. Highlighting these possible positive outcomes is important to help people make sense of them and help normalize them. Importantly, we hope our work can help remove stigma by focusing on the diverse ways that people experience and make sense of them. However, we would also stress that if people feel that these experiences interfere with their daily activities, then they should talk to a professional or seek help from someone they trust."

Pedro Fortes adds, "What struck us was the mismatch. These experiences share features with symptoms used to define psychosis and dissociation, yet are frequently observed in a general population sample. Our prevalence study suggests they most often arrive in entirely ordinary moments, when we're awake, alert and by ourselves, and are commonly remembered as meaningful rather than frightening."

Jorge Moll adds, "Our findings suggest that how a person interprets an unusual experience matters more than the experience itself in determining whether it becomes a source of distress or of meaning. That has direct consequences for how clinicians and families respond when someone describes something extraordinary."

Making sense of the extraordinary – An investigation of the content and prevalence of appraisals of nonordinary experiences, PLOS One (2026). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0353126

Journal information: PLoS ONE

Provided by Public Library of Science

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