Prevalence estimates of nonordinary experiences depend on validity and measurement choices
Communications Psychology May 8, 2026 Ronald Fischer, Giovanna Bortolini, Tiago Bortolini et al.
Nonordinary experiences (NOEs) such as déjà vu, intense compassion, and out-of-body sensations are common in the general population, but how researchers ask about them greatly affects reported prevalence. A mental health framing and yes/no response options both lower prevalence rates, while item clarity raises them. Across six studies totaling over 37,000 participants, déjà vu and unusually intense experiences of compassion and love were most prevalent (over 70%), while perceptions of animated objects, devotion to objects or individuals, out-of-body experiences, and seeing lights were rarer (over 13%). Despite framing and response-format effects, relative lifetime prevalence can be estimated consistently. The findings provide a validated tool for systematically identifying these experiences to study consciousness in real-world contexts.