MUFON's Abduction Experiencers' Study
MUFON's Experiencer Research Team's Study on UFO Abduction Experiencers
Characteristics shared by experiencers of ET contact
In early 2015, MUFON's Board of Directors sanctioned a comprehensive research study aimed at uncovering potential commonalities among experiencers that may not be present in the broader population. Under Kathleen's guidance, a skilled team of both PhD and lay researchers was brought together. This dedicated research team crafted a total of 118 questions for the MUFON Experiencer Survey. They utilized Survey Monkey, a user-friendly online tool that facilitates participant engagement and automatically computes statistical data. For the study's second phase, Dr. Don C. Donderi, a retired research psychologist from McGill University, joined the research team.
The most significant challenge associated with a survey of this nature is the difficulty in accurately assessing the psychological functioning of its participants, as well as the reliability of the statistical data collected. This issue arises from the potential for hoaxers and individuals with delusional beliefs to take part in the study. To address this concern, the team created a series of strategically designed trick questions aimed at identifying such participants, allowing them to discard their insincere responses. These questions were meticulously crafted and presented in a way that minimizes the risk of generating false positives or false negatives.
The primary aim was to identify a range of shared traits among individuals who have had extraordinary experiences, along with gathering statistical insights that could greatly benefit MUFON investigators and researchers. Our focus was on individuals who claimed to have been abducted by UFOs and who could consciously recall the non-human entities they encountered, as well as retain at least some memories of the procedures conducted in an extraterrestrial setting. This objective was explicitly detailed in the informed consent agreement. Furthermore, a disclosure form informed participants that they might face heightened levels of anxiety as a result of the nature of the questions presented to them. They were advised to proceed only after carefully reading the disclaimer and consenting to the potential risks involved in completing the survey. The Experiencer Survey was launched on MUFON's website in 2015.
The research team promoted the study through the MUFON UFO Journal, Facebook, and targeted media interviews. Members of MUFON's ERT motivated the experiencers they guided to participate in the survey, as long as they met the established criteria for involvement. They deliberately refrained from seeking participants who engaged in astral travel, altered state interactions with non-physical entities, and remote viewing.The team focused on attracting individuals who could provide evidence of at least one genuine ET contact experience.
Questions were delivered in a clear and concise manner, focusing on the experiences of abduction and contact. This approach was built upon investigative discoveries, historical insights from early researchers, psychological research outcomes derived from various academic studies, and the arguments put forth by leading skeptics. The minimum benchmark established for statistical analysis was 500 participants.
Dr. Don C. Donderi introduced the American Personality Inventory (API) to 188 participants who volunteered to engage in the subsequent phase of our survey. This API was innovatively formulated by Ted Davis, a clinical social worker, alongside abduction researcher Budd Hopkins, aiming to serve as an indicator of UFO Abduction Syndrome. Drawing inspiration from the widely recognized Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, they crafted the API. In collaboration with Dr. Donderi, a group of students from McGill University contributed by functioning as control groups and assisting with statistical analysis.
The research team gathered responses to 608 true/false questions from 52 individuals who identified as self-reported abductees. Their responses were then compared against those of 75 control participants who had no abduction experiences, as well as 26 simulators aware of UFO abduction traits but lacking personal experience. Through careful analysis, Dr. Donderi and his students delved into a specific subset of 65 questions for the standardized evaluation of the responses from these three groups.
Dr. Donderi's analysis using the API in phase 2 of MUFON's study did not produce the expected outcomes. None of the participants fell within the targeted Simulator or Control Group categories. This successfully demonstrates that the trick questions effectively filtered out hoaxers and those not being sincere. While all participants exhibited signs of UFO Abduction Syndrome, not all aligned closely with the abductee target. Their distribution was quite varied, suggesting a shift in the dynamics among ET contact experiences. Consequently, Dr. Donderi proposed an analysis of the responses of the 20 participants displaying the most symptoms of UFO abduction syndrome in contrast to those who were experiencers yet exhibited fewer symptoms. The 20 participants who had the highest scores closest to the target were designated as the "Abductee Group" for meeting the UFO abduction syndrome criteria. Conversely, the 20 lowest scorers were categorized as the "Contactee Group," as most reported their encounters as positive. Notably, however, five individuals in this group recounted significantly negative experiences. They were a group that we would consider outliers.
The Experiencer Survey participants exhibited a balanced representation of genders, with an equal distribution of men and women, similar to what was noted in the "Abductee Group." In contrast, the "Contactee Group" comprised 14 males and 6 females. We received completed surveys from participants who were located across seven different time zones worldwide. The survey captured responses from ten distinct ethnic groups, including numerous mixed-race categories. Participants' ages varied widely, spanning from under 20 to over 80 years old, although the most significant portion of respondents fell within the 40-59 age range.
We raised the question, "At what age did you have your initial experience?" According to the survey results, an impressive 72% of respondents reported having their first contact before the age of 20. This figure rose to 80% among the "Abductee Group," while the "Contactees" group reflected 70%. These findings align with the prevailing understanding of intergenerational contact and support the anecdotal accounts shared by numerous individuals.
Interestingly, 6% of the individuals who participated in the survey and 15% of those who had contact reported being over 40 years old at the time of their first experience. In our comprehensive analysis, we uncovered that this smaller group of experiencers, who were older than 40 during their initial encounter, possesses a unique set of characteristics that are not observed in abductees whose experiences began at a younger age. Their experiences were primarily negative and occurred frequently. They indicated that they were repeatedly taken to a dreadful environment where they were physically and sexually abused or forced to train for what they believe is intergalactic war. It is important to note that these individuals did not exhibit the typical characteristics commonly associated with UFO abduction experiences. Due to constraints in funding, the research team was unable to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of their psychological profiles. Nevertheless, they exhibited a deficiency in numerous traits typically linked to UFO Abduction Syndrome and did not display the common characteristics observed in other individuals who have had similar experiences.
The researchers found that over half (54%) of the Survey Takers believed they had experienced abduction fewer than 4 times, while 24% thought it occurred just once. Interestingly, 10% claimed they had been taken more than 50 times. This revelation was unexpected, as conventional wisdom suggested that most experiencers had been abducted numerous times.
Individuals diagnosed with UFO Abduction Syndrome have reported a significantly higher frequency of abduction experiences. The breakdown of their responses is telling: 5-9 occurrences account for 20%; 10-19 occurrences for 15%; those claiming 20 or more experiences represent 10%, while 5% report being taken 50 times or more. Such elevated figures may reflect what one would anticipate if a dedicated group of researchers were engaged in a systematic study. Conversely, participants who are farther from the UFO Abduction Syndrome benchmark displayed distinct trends: 45% claimed they had experienced contact only once, while a striking 15% believed they had been approached over 50 times.
When it comes to UFO sightings, an impressive 85% of respondents reported they have a clear memory of witnessing a UFO. In contrast, a striking 90% of the "Abductee Group" and an even higher 95% of the "Contactee Group" confirmed they had seen a UFO. A UFO, which stands for an unidentified flying object, can often be nothing more than a puzzling light observed far away in the sky. Our interest also lay in whether the UFO was 500 feet or closer to the observer, suggesting a close encounter. Remarkably, 65% of those surveyed recalled seeing a UFO within 500 feet of their location. Within the "Abductee Group," this figure rose to 70%, while the "Contactee Group" reported an astonishing 85%. The significance of these three groups having encountered structured crafts up close cannot be understated. While many individuals describe vague distant lights, actual close encounters remain much rarer.
The occurrence of witnessing a non-human intelligent entity (NHI) and having a clear memory of that event was notably less common, yet remarkably statistically significant. Among the surveyed participants, 54% reported having seen an NHI entity, along with 50% of those in the "Abductee Group" and 55% in the "Contactee Group". One of the essential criteria for participating in the survey was that individuals must have a clear recollection of their encounters with NHI entities.
The researchers focused on assessing the prevalence of intergenerational contact among experiencers, prompted by anecdotal evidence suggesting a familial genetic correlation. Half of the survey participants revealed that their family members had experienced a close encounter, while 41% reported that their relatives had undergone abduction or contact. Intergenerational contact appears to be notably more common in the "Abductee Group," where 60% reported such encounters and interactions with non-human intelligences (NHI). Furthermore, 60% of the "Contactee Group" indicated that their family members had also experienced a close encounter. Nonetheless, only 30% of this group disclosed any form of intergenerational contact.
The family members most commonly reported to have had close encounters and contact across all three groups were primarily the participants' mothers and fathers. Following them were the experiencers' siblings. While mentions of their children and grandparents were also reported, these instances were notably fewer. Does this reduced percentage suggest that the non-human ET entities are winding down their experimental efforts? Or is it possible that the experiencers are simply unaware of their children's abductions? Only time will reveal the answers.
As previously discussed in this paper, the researchers raised two pivotal questions regarding sleep paralysis. The initial inquiry focused on the characteristics of sleep paralysis experienced by a segment of the general population that may not have any connection to abduction or contact phenomena. Interestingly, 74% of all survey participants, alongside 90% of those in the "Abductee Group," and 65% of respondents from the "Contactee Group" affirmed this finding.
When participants were questioned about experiencing wakefulness followed by an encounter with a nonhuman entity that left them frozen and unable to vocalize, 36% of Survey Takers responded affirmatively. This percentage surged to an astounding 60% among the "Abductee Group," while only 25% of the "Contactee Group" reported similar experiences. The striking figure for the "Abductee Group" may suggest that their encounters hold a degree of authenticity. This serves as a crucial indicator of nocturnal interactions occurring within the home.
Numerous experiencers conveyed that they could intuitively sense when contact was approaching. In fact, 48% of those who participated in the survey felt this anticipation; the figure rose to 60% among the "Abductee Group" and dropped to 35% within the "Contactee Group." Additionally, an overwhelming 90% of the "Abductee Group" noted experiencing buzzing, chirping, or tinnitus-like sounds in their heads prior to contact. Furthermore, 64% reported feelings of nervousness in these moments, while half described sensations that they characterized as "energy."
According to MUFON's statistics on missing time, 58% of the Survey Participants reported being aware of at least one instance of lost time that they attributed to ET contact. The phenomenon of missing time was acknowledged by 65% of those in the "Abductee Group." In contrast, only 45% of individuals in the "Contactee Group" recognized any missing time linked to ET interaction. The length of the missing time experiences varied significantly, spanning from just a few minutes to several days, with an average duration slightly exceeding two hours among abductees. These findings align with the conclusions drawn by other researchers in the field.
There has been an extensive debate regarding the demeanor of non-human extraterrestrial entities. Strong emotions have surfaced on both sides of the argument, leading to heightened discussions surrounding the concepts of evil and benevolent aliens. Our research revealed that the most common demeanor identified was "business-like," noted by 48% of Survey Takers and 65% of the Abductee Group. In contrast, the Contactee Group reported a different experience, describing their encounters as "kind" and "friendly" (50%). The abductees indicated that the demeanor of ETs varied among different races, with some exhibiting more compassion than others. Notably, fewer than 11% across all three groups reported encountering malevolent entities, and less than 6% indicated experiences with hostile or sadistic beings.
An analysis of the remarks made by individuals with profoundly negative contact experiences led the research team to hypothesize that certain people could be influenced by highly negative entities from the astral realm. (The astral realm is a proposed dimension of nonphysical existence, where the ethereal forms of humans reside between their physical incarnations on Earth.) One participant's feedback supported this notion. Two others recounted memories of being rigorously trained for intergalactic warfare. Additionally, another participant seemed firmly convinced that he was undergoing MILAB abductions conducted by individuals dressed in US Air Force attire. The research study revealed that shape-shifting reptilians were behind the majority of these highly adverse contact experiences.
This prompted researchers to hypothesize that certain individuals may have fallen prey to sinister, malevolent entities that thrive on human fear and despair. The small cohort of those who have encountered negative experiences reported instances of mind control and being compelled to inflict harm upon others. However, inadequate funding has resulted in insufficient psychological assessments, hindering the team's capacity to validate these assertions. Notably, MUFON's Experiencer Survey did not evaluate psychological health.
The majority of individuals within the "Contactee Group" described their experiences as marked by warm, friendly interactions. Most expressed feelings of honor and satisfaction regarding the deeply spiritual and benevolent elements of their encounters. Similarly, a small yet notable segment of the "Abductee Group" also reported having positive contact experiences.
When we compare the various entity types that interacted with each of the three experiencer groups, we began by requesting detailed descriptions such as height, color, clothing or lack thereof, and clothing colors, among other aspects. Subsequently, we provided a list of 17 recognized categories of entities, ensuring there was space for responses noting "unknown" or "other" entities. Many experiencers reported encounters with multiple entity types, thus we permitted as many responses as required by the participants. Our findings revealed that Greys emerged as the most frequently cited non-human intelligence (NHI) entity type. Specifically, Greys within the height range of 4'5" to 5'5" were reported most often, while those exceeding 5'5" ranked next among the experiencer groups. Average human types were a close third across all groups, except in the "Contactee Group," which reported tall, non-human, humanoid whites significantly more, likely reflecting the amicable nature of their NHI entities. Less than 25% of all three groups acknowledged mantis insectoid types, while lizard-type reptilians were mentioned by under 20%, and draconian-type reptilians by fewer than 13%. Interestingly, the "Abductee Group" cited hybrids (27%) more frequently than the other two groups, which reported below 20%. Both tall and short human types were noted at less than 10%, alongside tall goldens, tall blues, short blues, and sasquatch types. Beyond the aforementioned non-human entity categories, several others were noted but at significantly lower percentages, including light beings, blue humanoid avians, cat-like beings, and individuals in black cloaks.
MILAB abductions were assessed as a distinct category. The survey responses revealed that 13% of participants reported involvement in MILAB abductions. This figure dropped to 10% within the "Abductee" and "Contactee" Groups. Notably, all groups failed to distinctly define the uniforms of the human military factions or the races of the nonhuman beings they encountered. This lack of clarity is somewhat concerning, particularly due to the influence of conspiracy theorists who have suggested that clandestine military operations are abducting individuals from their residences and employing mind control techniques on them. Our research findings may imply that some nonhuman beings are disguising themselves as human military personnel, which could undermine trust in our armed forces and contribute to the proliferation of conspiracy theories.
One prevalent type of evidence that ET contact experiencers often present to investigators is unusual marks on their bodies for which they cannot offer any ordinary explanation. Among the most frequently reported marks are finger-shaped bruises, puncture wounds, and circular impressions, commonly known as "scoop marks." Additionally, experiencers also reported burned or cored-out triangles, blistering burns, and intricate patterned designs.
When the three groups were surveyed about whether they would choose to end their abduction or contact experiences if given the opportunity, an impressive 71% of participants (N:479) indicated they would not wish to discontinue their contact events. This figure rose to 75% among both the "Abductee" and "Contactee" Groups. Nonetheless, a notable portion of respondents across all three groups found it challenging to reach a conclusive decision. They provided ambiguous statements such as it is not theirs to decide, they had consented to this agreement prior to birth, and they would continue the experiences if they serve the interest of humanity and the extraterrestrial beings.
The researchers posed a range of questions related to health issues documented in abduction cases. Notably, 53% of survey participants reported having encountered health problems they attributed to their abduction or contact experiences. Sinus issues and migraine headaches emerged as the most frequently cited health concerns experienced soon after such events. Additionally, cases of nosebleeds and eye irritation were prevalent among respondents. According to findings from the Marden-Stoner study, experiencers showed a heightened prevalence of chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome. This statistic stood at 38% in their research and was even greater in MUFON's Experiencer Study.
Numerous ET contact experiencers have shared accounts of receiving healing from non-human entities, some even providing medical verification of their diagnosis and subsequent spontaneous remission after an alleged visitation. One individual battling cancer experienced healing after sending telepathic messages to his extraterrestrial friends, requesting assistance. Just days later, he recorded a striking video of a radiant light blue orb gracefully descending his bedroom wall and gliding, like a transforming butterfly, across the room. The orb hovered above him for a moment as shimmering tendrils appeared. It then penetrated his body and cured his cancer. His medical records corroborate both his testimony and the footage. Curious about the prevalence of ET healings among experiencers, we surveyed our participants about their healing experiences with ETs. Surprisingly, only 10% of respondents reported being healed by ET entities. However, this percentage rose sharply to 45% within the "Abductee Group," while it dropped back to 10% in the "Contactee Group." This may suggest that non-human intelligence entities are particularly focused on assisting those humans involved in their medical science programs.
Regarding the prevalence of paranormal occurrences in the residences of those who have had experiences, 61% of survey participants reported witnessing illuminated orbs within their homes. This figure decreased to 50% among the "Abductee Group" and further dropped to 45% for the "Contactee Group." While other paranormal phenomena are reported less often, they happen more frequently than in the average population. The feeling of an unseen presence walking on the bed was notably heightened. This sensation may be attributed to higher-dimensional entities, which can be sensed but not seen due to their atomic structure vibrating at frequencies beyond our perception.
The team inquired, "Were you involved in a religious faith before your abduction or contact event?" This question aimed to examine a hypothesis proposed by certain religious leaders, which suggests that a lack of divine protection among individuals who have had these experiences may leave them open to encounters with the forces of evil. Our findings revealed that 45% of those who took the survey, 55% of the abductees, and an impressive 70% of the contactees had indeed practiced a religious faith prior to their experiences.
Experiencers, in general, reported a heightened sense of spirituality as a direct result of their contact experiences. The statistics from the three groups showcase the following: Survey Respondents: 69%; "Abductee Group": 86%; "Contactee Group": 71%. This suggests that while many participants maintained adherence to their existing religious beliefs, there was a notable inclination towards spiritual growth, a curiosity about life beyond the physical realm, and a profound search for the sacred meaning of existence. Importantly, this trend does not imply a lack of belief in God; rather, for many, it indicates a richer personal connection with God, the One, or the creator, alongside a subtle shift away from conventional religious doctrines.
MUFON's ERT group has identified a notable rise in near-death experiences reported by our Survey Takers. An astonishing 44% of these individuals claimed to have undergone a near-death experience. Furthermore, the prevalence within the "Abductee Group" surged to 55%, while the "Contactee Group" saw a decline to 35%. These results align with the findings from the Omega Project, which highlighted enhanced psychic awareness, heightened altruistic emotions, and a deeper sense of spirituality among those who have experienced near-death situations and UFO encounters.
If it is indeed the case that experiencers go through a process of dematerialization or transition into an alternate reality when moving from our physical world to an extraterrestrial setting, it follows logically that their soul consciousness could become detached from their physical form, perhaps tethered by merely a thin thread. This fragmentation mirrors the descriptions given by near-death experiencers, regardless of the different triggers that may lead to such experiences. Should this hypothesis hold true, it could shed light on the similarities observed between UFO encounter groups and near-death experience communities.
Finally, the research team posed open-ended questions related to warnings about impending apocalyptic or catastrophic events, as well as other insights shared by non-humans during the surveys. While most respondents did not receive detailed information, 159 individuals did. Below is a selection of representative responses from all three groups concerning the future of humanity.
We must unite in love and raise our vibration as a collective. The higher dimensions are here assisting us. We must come together and recognize that we are all connected so we can evolve and access a higher level of consciousness through the 5th dimension.
If we raise our level of consciousness to a higher state, we can achieve more. This is what they are trying to accomplish here. We have been in this position before and we destroyed ourselves. They fear that we might do that again, and they will not allow it this time. They will intervene.
They are here to guide and assist in the development of our species and our world. They planted our seed here and helped to develop it. They introduce elements to aid in our growth.
Humans must regain their spiritual sovereignty. Humans are of Source like them, not sinful.
We need to take responsibility for our actions and love one another.
They are spiritually connected, and the human experience is a spiritual progression.
They are here to assist humanity in raising its vibrational frequency.
Numerous cautionary remarks were also made concerning our stewardship of planet Earth. Below are a few key points:
I was told that we must preserve resources, and if we don't, we will experience a decrease in population.
We are poisoning our world and all that lives on it. If we don't change the way we live as a species, we will all die.
We are destroying our planet. They will intervene forcefully if we continue our aggression and war.
The ice caps are melting, and endangered species are dying off. It is incredibly difficult to watch.
I was told that ecological catastrophic events were on the horizon due to the exponential effects of our neglect, abuse, or misuse.
I saw a barren Earth, and I was repeatedly informed about protecting nature and the importance of human unity.
We, as a race, are depleting resources faster than we can renew them. Due to our arrogance, we seek resources elsewhere, but because we are ego-driven, we will attempt to acquire them at a heavy cost to other races.
Humans will become extinct if they do not change their destructive and polluting ways.
We are not at the end of times; we are at the beginning of a New Age. So much cleansing needs to take place on the Earth herself and within people. It's time to unite.
Regardless of the reasons influencing their experiences and the attitude shifts that arise from them, a considerable number of respondents across all three groups reported positive outcomes from their encounters. A mere fraction of participants noted experiencing significantly negative interactions. Overall, those who have had ET contact have reported an increase in spirituality, empathy, intuition, and a decrease in aggressive tendencies, negativity, and materialism. They demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship and are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life on Earth for everyone.
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