READ: New Study Finds Higher Anxiety and PTSD Rates in Adults Reporting Past-Life Memories
A new study from Brazil is sparking conversations about the connection between past-life memories and mental health. Published in The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, the research surveyed 402 adults who reported recalling lives before this one. While the study doesn’t attempt to prove or disprove reincarnation, it highlights a group of people experiencing unique challenges and raises questions.
The findings showed that nearly half of participants reported symptoms of depression or anxiety, and about four in ten showed signs linked to PTSD—rates higher than those seen in many trauma-exposed groups. The researchers emphasize these results come from screening tools, not clinical diagnoses, but they suggest a pattern of increased psychological distress among people reporting past-life memories.
One striking discovery involved childhood fears. About 71% of participants said they had unexplained phobias as children, and most said those fears carried into adulthood. Many linked their anxieties to the way they believe they died in a previous life. For example, one woman recalled hiding under her bed as a child whenever planes flew overhead, later connecting her panic to memories of wartime bombings in Prussia.
The study also found that this group differs significantly from Brazil’s broader population. Over half identified as Spiritists, a religion that embraces reincarnation, compared to only 2% nationally. Nearly two-thirds held college degrees, and almost eight in ten were women. Most participants said their memories appeared spontaneously in their late teens or early 20s, often describing ordinary or difficult lives rather than glamorous ones. About half also reported birthmarks or scars they believed were linked to fatal wounds from prior lifetimes.
Spirituality appeared to play a meaningful role. Participants who used positive coping practices, like forgiveness and meditation, generally reported better emotional well-being. Conversely, those who felt abandoned or punished by a higher power tended to experience greater distress. The researchers suggest that having a belief framework to interpret unusual experiences may ease emotional struggles.
While the study doesn’t answer whether these memories are psychological, spiritual, or something else entirely, it sheds light on a population that may be overlooked in mental health care. For many, these memories shape fears, behaviors, and identity in profound ways. The authors emphasize the need for more research and a compassionate approach when supporting individuals who report these experiences. Ultimately, the findings raise more questions than they resolve.
