In a groundbreaking study published in the forthcoming issue of The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, researchers have unveiled a comprehensive analysis of adults who claim to experience past-life memories (PLM). This investigation, unprecedented in its scope and depth, sheds new light on the psychological landscapes of individuals reporting such phenomena, exploring their mental health profiles, levels of happiness, and degrees of religiosity and spirituality. Notably, the study identifies a paradoxical relationship where symptoms indicative of mental disorders coexist with protective influences stemming from religious and spiritual engagement.
Beliefs in life beyond death and a transcendental reality represent some of the most universal aspects of human culture, permeating virtually every religious and spiritual tradition around the globe. Surveys conducted across 35 countries reveal that a substantial portion of the world’s population endorses some form of belief in life after death, with acceptance rates oscillating between 38% in highly secular regions such as Sweden and as high as 85% in more religious societies like Indonesia. This widespread prevalence reflects the persistence of metaphysical concepts concerning existence beyond the physical realm, anchoring much of humanity’s spiritual worldview.
Despite the abundance of research focusing on children who reportedly recall past lives, there remains a significant gap in understanding the phenomenon as it manifests in adulthood. Adult experiencers of PLM have largely been overlooked, particularly in terms of the psychological and wellbeing implications of these memories. To address this deficit, Sandra Maciel de Carvalho and her colleagues from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil, and the University of Virginia, USA, embarked on a pioneering online survey designed to characterize the sociodemographic and clinical features of adult PLM claimants, incorporating sophisticated assessments of their mental health status and subjective well-being.
The research, funded by the BIAL Foundation, drew from a sample of 402 Brazilian adults reporting past-life memories, chosen to represent a diverse cross-section of society. Brazil, with its unique cultural amalgamation and substantial Spiritist population, provides an opportune context for such an inquiry, given that two-thirds of its citizens assert their belief in some form of life after death, and a third express belief in rebirth or reincarnation. This environment naturally fosters conditions conducive to the emergence and reporting of PLM phenomena.
Analyses revealed that the average age of participants was 41.6 years, with a striking predominance of females (79%) and a majority possessing higher education credentials (68%). Most participants identified as Spiritists—a religious movement specifically concerned with spiritualist and reincarnational themes—which accounted for 54.5% of the sample. Additionally, a vast majority described themselves as very or moderately spiritual, underscoring the intimate link between spiritual orientation and claims to past-life experiences. Intriguingly, most participants recounted that their memories surfaced spontaneously, often manifesting around the average age of 19.9 years without deliberate provocation or suggestion.
Beyond sociodemographic characteristics, the study delved into associated features and psychological correlates of PLM claims. Noteworthy associations were found between the presence of birthmarks or physical defects recalled as linked to past lives in 54% of claimants, as well as unusual and intense childhood attractions or phobias. These phobias, present in an overwhelming 71% of subjects during both childhood and persisting into adulthood, suggest a deep-seated psychological imprint that transcends temporal boundaries. Such findings bolster theories positing that PLM may be entwined with complex neuropsychological processes and emotional entanglements.
This research represents the first large-scale scientific survey to systematically document PLM features among adults, enabling direct comparisons with childhood cases reported in earlier literature. Interestingly, the pattern of memory features parallels those observed in children, except for a pronounced female predominance, potentially pointing to gender-based differences in memory retention, suggestibility, or the psychosocial dynamics influencing report frequency. These results challenge prevailing assumptions that PLM are predominantly a childhood phenomenon, opening avenues for greater adult-centered research and inquiry.
A particularly significant aspect of the study was its examination of mental health and happiness outcomes. Nearly half of the participants (46%) exhibited symptoms consistent with mental health disorders, with a strong association detected between childhood phobias and diminished subjective happiness. Furthermore, a concerning prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — affecting 36% of respondents — was linked with phobic reactions, indicating the possibility that past-life memories may contribute to enduring psychological distress. These correlations necessitate a nuanced clinical approach that recognizes the potential psychological complexity underlying PLM claims.
Intriguingly, the investigations revealed that religiosity and spirituality might exert protective effects on mental health outcomes for this population. Participants demonstrating higher degrees of spiritual engagement tended to report greater happiness and fewer symptoms of psychological disorders. This aligns with broader empirical research underscoring the salutary benefits of religious and spiritual frameworks on coping mechanisms, resilience, and emotional regulation, thus positioning spirituality as a potential buffer against the distress associated with PLM-related phenomena.
Lead researcher Sandra Maciel de Carvalho emphasized the pivotal nature of these findings, noting that the prevalence of PLM in adults may be substantially underestimated and carries significant implications for mental health practitioners and researchers alike. The complex intersection of profound personal experiences, psychological suffering, and spiritual belief systems underscores the necessity for specialized clinical protocols tailored to this unique patient population. Further longitudinal and epidemiological studies are essential to elucidate causality, prevalence, and optimal therapeutic interventions.
These insights come at an opportune moment when global interest in consciousness studies, anomalous experiences, and the psychosocial dimensions of spirituality is burgeoning. The study amplifies discourse on how cultural, psychological, and neurobiological factors interplay in shaping extraordinary memory claims and their impact on well-being. By providing evidence-based data on adult PLM claimers, the research invites a reconsideration of the boundaries between spiritual belief, psychological phenomena, and clinical diagnosis—an interdisciplinary nexus ripe for future exploration.
In conclusion, this landmark research not only expands the scientific understanding of past-life memories beyond childhood cases to encompass adults but also highlights a dual narrative of vulnerability and resilience. The coexistence of mental health challenges alongside the psychosocial benefits afforded by spirituality creates a complex portrait demanding careful attention from healthcare providers, researchers, and spiritual communities. As interest in the afterlife and reincarnation endures, studies like this pave the way for informed, empathetic, and therapeutically meaningful engagements with those navigating the enigmatic terrain of past-life recall.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: Who Does Report Past-Life Memories? Claimers’ Profile, Religiosity/Spirituality and Impact on Happiness and Mental Health
News Publication Date: 9-Jul-2025
Web References: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10508619.2025.2521573#abstract
References: DOI 10.1080/10508619.2025.2521573
Keywords: Psychological science, Mental health, Post-traumatic stress disorder
