Brazil Study Finds Majority Report Positive Long-Term Effects from Paranormal Experiences

Researchers in Brazil surveyed over 5,000 adults to assess the impact of non‑ordinary experiences such as near‑death encounters, out‑of‑body events and perceived paranormal phenomena. The study, led by Ronald Fischer, validated a new questionnaire called the Inventory of Non‑ordinary Experiences and was published in the journal PLOS One.

Results show that 51 % of respondents say these experiences yielded positive long‑term effects, while 20 % reported a negative impact and 25 % experienced immediate discomfort. The findings suggest that the interpretation of such events—whether as spiritual, supernatural or pathological—plays a key role in how individuals cope afterward.