Spiritual possession

Spiritual possession refers to the supposed ability of some spirits to take control of a human body. Some would say that science states that possession is a form of altered mental state[?] and that spirits are a superstition, whereas many religions and cultures believe in various forms of spirits and their possession powers.

Possession may be malignant or beneficial, much depending on the cultural context and the religion of the person possessed. In western society, possession is believed to be the work of the Devil or a demon. On Haiti, and other places where the voodoo faith is strong, people will willingly offer their bodies as vehicles (horses) for the Loa to ride.

Many believe that possession can be ended by a ritual of exorcism, usually administered by a priest.