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 authorized an extensive research study aimed at identifying potential shared traits among experiencers that may not be evident within the general population. Under the leadership of Kathleen Marden, an adept team comprising both PhD holders and lay researchers was formed. This committed research group crafted a total of 118 questions for the MUFON Experiencer Survey. They utilized Survey Monkey, an accessible online platform that enhances participant involvement and automatically calculates statistical data. For the subsequent phase of the study, Dr. Don C. Donderi, a retired research psychologist from McGill University, became a vital addition to the research team.
One of the most critical challenges encountered with a survey of this kind lies in accurately assessing the psychological functioning of participants and ensuring the trustworthiness of the statistical data collected. This difficulty arises from the risk of including hoaxers and individuals with delusional beliefs as contributors to the research. To address this concern, the research team crafted a series of cleverly designed trick questions aimed at effectively identifying such participants, allowing them to filter out untrustworthy responses. These questions were meticulously designed and presented in a way that minimized the chances of producing false positives or negatives.
The primary aim was to discover a range of common traits among individuals who have had extraordinary experiences, while also gathering statistical information that could greatly assist MUFON investigators and researchers. Our focus was on individuals who reported having been abducted by UFOs and who were capable of clearly recalling the non-human entities they encountered, as well as retaining some memories of the procedures carried out in a non-terrestrial setting. This intention was explicitly stated in the informed consent document. Moreover, a disclosure statement informed participants that they might face heightened levels of anxiety due to the nature of the questions being asked. They were urged to proceed only after carefully reviewing the disclaimer and agreeing to the potential risks involved in completing the survey. The Experiencer Survey was officially launched on MUFON's website in 2015.
The research team effectively promoted the study by leveraging the MUFON UFO Journal, limited social media platforms such as Facebook, and conducting focused media interviews. Members of MUFON's Experiencer Research Team encouraged the experiencers they interacted with to take part in the survey, provided they met the established inclusion criteria. They consciously refrained from seeking participants engaged in practices like astral travel, encounters with non-physical entities during altered states, and remote viewing. Instead, the team concentrated on recruiting individuals who could validate at least one genuine extraterrestrial contact experience.
The questions were designed to be clear and direct, focusing on abduction and contact experiences. This approach was informed by investigative findings, historical insights from early researchers, psychological research outputs from various academic studies, and the counterarguments put forth by notable skeptics. The established minimum requirement for valid statistical analysis was set at 500 participants.
Dr. Don C. Donderi, a distinguished retired psychology professor from McGill University, engaged 188 of the 516 volunteers in the next phase of our survey using the American Personality Inventory (API). This innovative API, developed by clinical social worker Ted Davis in partnership with abduction researcher Budd Hopkins, was specifically designed to evaluate UFO Abduction Syndrome. Drawing inspiration from the esteemed Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, they meticulously crafted the API. In addition to Dr. Donderi, a dedicated group of students from McGill University played a crucial role, serving as control groups and aiding in the statistical evaluation.
The research team gathered responses to 608 true/false queries from 52 individuals who identified as abductees. These replies were juxtaposed with those from 75 control participants who had no abduction experiences, alongside 26 individuals familiar with UFO abduction characteristics but lacking personal involvement. In a thorough analysis, Dr. Donderi and his students concentrated on a specific set of 65 questions to standardize the assessment of responses across these three distinct groups.
Dr. Donderi's evaluation using the API during phase 2 of MUFON's study did not produce the expected outcomes. None of the participants fit into the defined Simulator or Control Group classifications. This result effectively demonstrates the success of trick questions in filtering out individuals attempting to mislead or those lacking genuine intent. While all participants exhibited signs of UFO Abduction Syndrome, not all conformed closely to the abductee target specifications. Their distribution varied significantly, highlighting a notable shift in the landscape of ET contact experiences. As a result, Dr. Donderi suggested conducting a contrast analysis of the 20 participants who presented the most pronounced indicators of UFO abduction syndrome against those who identified as experiencers but showed fewer symptoms. The group displaying the highest results, aligning closely with the target criteria, was termed the "Abductee Group," due to their meeting the UFO abduction syndrome criteria. Conversely, the 20 individuals with the lowest scores were classified as the "Contactee Group," as most described their encounters as positive. Nonetheless, it is worth mentioning that five individuals within this group shared distinctly negative experiences, marking them as outliers.
Participants of the Experiencer Survey demonstrated a well-rounded gender representation, featuring an equal number of males and females, reflecting the demographics noted in the "Abductee Group." In contrast, the "Contactee Group" comprised 14 men and 6 women. The research team successfully collected completed surveys from participants spread across seven different time zones around the world. The survey effectively captured responses from ten varied ethnic groups, including several mixed-race categories. The participants' ages spanned a considerable range, from those under 20 to individuals over 80, with the majority of responses coming from the 40-59 age group.
Questions and Responses
The research team raised the question, "At what age did you have your initial experience?" The survey results demonstrated that a remarkable 72% of respondents reported their first contact occurring before they turned 20. This figure rose to 80% within the "Abductee Group," while the "Contactees" group similarly reported a rate of 70%. These findings correlate with the current comprehension of intergenerational contact and substantiate 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 had 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, 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.
Among the family members frequently noted to have experienced close encounters and contact across all three demographics were predominantly the participants' mothers and fathers. Following closely were the siblings of the experiencers. Though there were mentions of their children and grandparents, such instances were significantly less frequent. Does this lower percentage imply that non-human ET entities are tapering off their experimental activities? Or is it possible that the experiencers simply remain unaware of their children's experiences of abduction? Only time will provide clarity on these questions.
As explored earlier in this paper, the researchers posed two crucial questions regarding sleep paralysis. The first question concentrated on the characteristics of sleep paralysis experienced by a subset of the general populace that may not necessarily connect with abduction or contact occurrences. Interestingly, 74% of all respondents to the survey, along with 90% of those identified in the "Abductee Group," and 65% of individuals from the "Contactee Group" confirmed this observation.
When survey participants were asked about having experienced wakefulness subsequently followed by an encounter with a nonhuman entity that rendered them immobile and unable to speak, 36% of Survey Takers responded positively. This figure escalated dramatically to an impressive 60% among the "Abductee Group," while merely 25% within the "Contactee Group" noted similar encounters. The striking statistic for the "Abductee Group" could imply that their experiences carry a certain degree of authenticity. This serves as a significant indicator of nocturnal interactions transpiring within their homes.
Many experiencers expressed their ability to sense intuitively when contact was imminent. In fact, 48% of survey participants reported feeling this sense of anticipation; the figure increased to 60% among the "Abductee Group" and decreased to 35% within the "Contactee Group." Furthermore, an impressive 90% of the "Abductee Group" reported experiencing buzzing, chirping, or sounds reminiscent of tinnitus prior to contact. Additionally, 64% noted sensations of anxiety during these moments, while half described experiences they articulated as "energy."
According to MUFON's data on instances of missing time, 58% of Survey Participants acknowledged at least one occurrence of lost time they attributed to ET contact. The phenomenon of missing time was recognized by 65% of the individuals in the "Abductee Group." Conversely, only 45% of participants in the "Contactee Group" identified any instances of missing time linked to ET experiences. The duration of these missing time episodes varied widely, ranging from a few minutes to several days, with an average length of slightly more than two hours among abductees. These observations are consistent with findings from other researchers in this field.
A significant discourse has emerged regarding the nature of non-human extraterrestrial entities. Strong sentiments have arisen on both sides of the debate, prompting intense discussions around the notions of malevolent and benevolent aliens. Our investigation indicated that the predominant demeanor perceived was "business-like," identified by 48% of Survey Takers and 65% of the Abductee Group. In contrast, the Contactee Group reported their experiences as being "kind" and "friendly" (50%). Abductees suggested that the demeanor of ETs differed among various races, with certain entities displaying greater compassion than others. Notably, fewer than 11% across all groups reported encounters with hostile entities, and less than 6% described experiences with aggressive 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.
Entity Types
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 opt to terminate their abduction or contact experiences if given the chance, a remarkable 71% of participants (N:479) expressed that they would not want to end their contact events. This percentage increased to 75% among both the "Abductee" and "Contactee" Groups. Nevertheless, a significant number of respondents from all three groups struggled to arrive at a definitive conclusion. They offered vague comments such as it is not theirs to determine, they had agreed to this arrangement before birth, and they would continue the experiences if they benefit both humanity and the extraterrestrial entities.
Health
The researchers presented a broad spectrum of questions concerning health-related issues documented in abduction cases. Notably, 53% of survey participants indicated they had faced health problems that they associated with their abduction or contact experiences. Sinus problems and migraine headaches surfaced as the most commonly reported health challenges soon after these incidents. Moreover, instances of nosebleeds and eye irritation were frequently observed among the respondents. Findings from the Marden-Stoner study revealed that experiencers exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome. This figure reached 38% in their study and was even higher in MUFON's Experiencer Study.
Numerous ET contact experiencers have shared compelling accounts of receiving healing from non-human entities, with some even providing medical verification of their diagnoses and subsequent spontaneous remissions following alleged visitations. One individual struggling with cancer reported a profound healing experience after transmitting telepathic messages to his extraterrestrial friends, seeking their help. Remarkably, just days later, he captured an astonishing video of a brilliant light blue orb delicately descending his bedroom wall and gliding across the room like a metamorphosing butterfly. The orb hovered above him momentarily as shimmering tendrils emerged. It then penetrated his body, resulting in the cure of his cancer. His medical records validate both his account and the recorded footage. Intrigued by the frequency of ET healings among experiencers, we conducted a survey of our participants regarding their healing encounters with ETs. Surprisingly, only 10% of respondents indicated that they had been healed by ET entities. However, this percentage dramatically increased to 45% within the "Abductee Group," while it fell back to 10% in the "Contactee Group." This discrepancy may suggest that non-human intelligence entities are especially attentive to assisting those humans engaged in their medical science programs.
Paranormal Experience
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.
Religious Belief
The team posed the question, "Had you been part of a religious faith prior to your abduction or contact experience?" This inquiry aimed to investigate a theory put forth by certain religious leaders, suggesting that individuals who lack divine protection during these events may be more susceptible to encounters with malevolent forces. Our research indicated that 45% of survey participants, 55% of abductees, and a remarkable 70% of contactees had indeed engaged in a religious faith before their experiences.
Overall, experiencers reported an enhanced sense of spirituality as a consequence of their contact encounters. The statistics gleaned from the three groups are as follows: Survey Respondents: 69%; "Abductee Group": 86%; "Contactee Group": 71%. This indicates that while numerous participants remained committed to their existing religious beliefs, there was a significant tendency towards spiritual development, an exploration of existence beyond the physical domain, and a deep quest for the sacred significance of life. Notably, this trend does not suggest a diminished belief in God; rather, for many, it reflects a deeper personal relationship with God, the One, or the creator, along with a gradual departure from traditional 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 true that experiencers undergo a process of dematerialization or transition into an alternate reality while moving from our physical realm to an extraterrestrial environment, it stands to reason that their soul consciousness could become separated from their physical body, perhaps connected only by a delicate thread. This fragmentation resonates with the accounts shared by near-death experiencers, irrespective of the various triggers that may lead to these episodes. If this theory is valid, it could illuminate the parallels noted between UFO encounter groups and near-death experience communities.
Significant Commonalities Shared by Experiencers
Grew up in a nurturing two-parent household.
Witnessed a UFO at a distance of under 500 feet.
Family members also reported seeing a UFO within 500 feet.
Encountered beings not of this world.
Relatives experienced sightings of nonhuman entities.
Experienced abduction.
Relatives were taken during abductions.
Symptoms consistent with sleep paralysis.
Those with "UFO abduction syndrome" reported being awake at contact onset.
Encountered businesslike nonhuman entities.
Felt that extraterrestrials could perceive their emotions.
Reported mysterious, patterned marks on their bodies following event.
Health issues related to abduction experiences.
Developed psychic empathy.
Recurring dreams and nightmares of being abducted by UFOs.
Did not wish to end their experiences of abduction.
Felt a premonition of an imminent abduction.
Heightened intuitive or psychic abilities.
Witnessed paranormal phenomena in home: glowing plasma orbs.
Unexplained movement on the mattress.
Encountered electromagnetic disturbances.
Held religious beliefs.
Developed enhanced spiritual awareness.
A sense of possessing elusive, special knowledge.
Open Ended Question Responses
Ultimately, the research team raised open-ended questions concerning warnings about potential apocalyptic or catastrophic occurrences, along with other revelations provided by non-humans during the surveys. While the majority of participants did not receive comprehensive details, 159 individuals did share specific information. Below is a curated selection of representative responses from all three groups regarding 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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