Five Traits Common Among Abductees That Shape Abduction Narratives: Sleep Paralysis, False Memories, Absorption, Beliefs, and Cultural Influence

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Richard McNally and colleagues say five traits are common in abductees and may shape how these experiences are remembered and kept as beliefs: sleep paralysis with vivid hallucinations, a tendency to recall false memories, high absorption tied to fantasy, vivid imagery, and hypnosis susceptibility, openness to New Age explanations, and familiarity with abduction narratives from sci‑fi and media, though it’s unclear whether these traits cause the experiences or arise afterward, some researchers note paranoid thinking, abductees are usually not anxious or depressed and often find spiritual meaning, and while hypnosis memories and implant ideas are debated, the experiences can still be psychologically meaningful.