Using VR to induce OBEs

Using a VR program to fool the brain's perception of self, scientists have been able to induce OBEs, or out-of-body-experiences, quite easily. From the New York Times:

Usually [the brain's] sensory streams, which include vision, touch, balance and the sense of where one’s body is positioned in space, work together seamlessly, Prof. Botvinick said. But when the information coming from the sensory sources does not match up, when they are thrown out of synchrony, the sense of being embodied as a whole comes apart.

The brain, which abhors ambiguity, then forces a decision that can, as the new experiments show, involve the sense of being in a different body.

This article goes into some detail about how the brain's sensory cohesion can be fooled by simple tricks, and how loss of cohesion can lead to all sorts of paranormal perceptions. Check it out brain scientists!