a dissociative experience during which the individual imagines or feels that his or her mind, soul, or spirit has left the body and is acting or perceiving independently. Such experiences are sometimes reported by those who have recovered from a near-death experience; they have also been reported by those using hallucinogens or under hypnosis. A significant number have been reported as occurring when the reporter was asleep or falling asleep. Certain occult or spiritualistic practices may also attempt to induce such experiences. See astral projection.