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History -

In the 1940s and 1950s, UFOs became a topic of public interest.

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The first main event -

The famous Roswell UFO incident in 1947 kick-started alien research and the interest of the public in UFOs and alien life.

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The first (known) case of alien abduction -

But it was not until 1961 that the first case of alien abduction was reported by a couple from New Hampshire: Betty and Barney Hill.

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The first (known) case of alien abduction -

The couple allegedly were driving when they witnessed odd lights and experienced “missing time” and “lost memories” between September 19 and 20, 1961.

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Signs of alien abduction -

We’ve briefly mentioned some of the signs Betty and Barney Hill reported, but other alleged abductees have also shared their experiences. Now, let’s take a look at some of the reported signs that a person has been abducted by aliens.

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Windows of missing time -

One of the signs most commonly reported by abductees is windows of missing time. These can range from a few minutes, to days. Some report not recalling at all what happened during that time.

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A sudden feeling of anxiety -

Alleged abductees report this state of high alertness, as if they’re in danger of being abducted again. This is akin to PTSD.

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Hearing strange noises while in bed -

There are also reports of strange noises whilst abductees are going in and out of sleep. These noises have been described as voices and machinery, depending on the person.

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Falling asleep in one place… -

…and waking up in another place. Sure, sleepwalking can indeed be the reason for such an event. But don’t forget: this is rarely reported as a sole event; it’s one sign among others.

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Nightmares and insomnia -

Intense dreams and nightmares are also reported by abductees. These sometimes feature alien-like figures as well.

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Malfunctioning electronic equipment -

Could alien abduction be predicted by the way our TV or laptop work? Perhaps.

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Paranormal activity -

This is where things get a bit nebulous. Some abductees report the existence of shadow figures, which could well be labeled differently (i.e. ghosts).

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Psychic abilities -

Developing sudden psychic and telepathic abilities is not normal, though this has also been reported by some abductees.

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Implants -

Actual physical implants have been reported by many abductees. Though many of these end up mysteriously disappearing before they can be tested. Some have, however, all of which were found to be of “earthly biological origin.”

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Abduction narrative -

In addition to all the signs, most alien abduction episodes follow a common narrative. It usually starts with the capture of the abductee, which usually occurred during nighttime.

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Abduction narrative -

This is then followed by examination and procedures, which can vary in nature. Then there is usually some sort of communication between the aliens and the abductee (often telepathically).

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Abduction narrative -

A tour of the spaceship or other location is also sometimes reported. Then there is the return, which is occasionally reported as a mystical experience.

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What does science have to say about these supposed alien encounters? -

Well, to begin with, we need to take a look at the people reporting these experiences. What do they have in common? Is there a pattern? Let’s take a look at what science says about alien abduction.

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Personality traits -

According to studies, most people who report being abducted by aliens have no history of mental instability. They do, however, share one trait: a proclivity for fantasy.

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Dissociation -

Another one is dissociation. This is when a person’s mental processes detach from each other and from reality. This usually occurs in response to impactful negative life events, such as childhood trauma.

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The hypnosis hypothesis -

It is common for these people to recall the abduction through hypnosis. But it can be argued that hypnosis itself can encourage the creation and consequently recall of these fantasies.

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The hypnosis hypothesis -

A similar case of “recovered memories” under hypnosis kick-started the Satanic panic of the 1980s with the book 'Michelle Remembers.'

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Sleep paralysis -

Sleep paralysis happens when we’re between the states of sleep and wakefulness. We feel as though we’re conscious, but can’t move.

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Sleep paralysis -

Many abductees report being awake and aware of their surroundings, but unable to move. The sense of a presence is also usually reported, as well as the feelings of dread and fear.

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Sleep paralysis -

A sense of being restricted, difficulty breathing, and a feeling of pressure on the chest are also commonly reported. This strengthens the hypothesis of sleep paralysis, as attacks often occur while the person is lying on their back.

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Temporal lobe sensitivity -

This theory says that the temporal lobes of people who claim to have been abducted by aliens may be more sensitive to low-level magnetic frequencies.

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Temporal lobe sensitivity -

The late Michael Persinger, a neuroscientist at Laurentian University in Canada, believed that temporal lobes are stimulated by magnetic fields, which may result in hallucinatory experiences, including alien abduction.

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The truth is out there -

Most people who claim to have been abducted by aliens are not necessarily lying. Indeed, there might be scientific explanations for their stories, but, nonetheless, most are simply reporting their experience.

Sources: (The Conversation) (University of Birmingham) (Psychology Today)(Listverse)

See also: What we know about the "non-human" alien corpses of Mexico

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