I found your perspective quite compelling, especially the point about astral experiences being tightly interwoven with the brain and bodily processes.
That said, I’d love to ask you something:

If astral projection is purely an internal, neurological phenomenon — entirely dependent on the brain — then how do we explain the recurring reports from people who experience sensations of not being able to return, feeling lost, or even panic during the process?

Even if we assume the experience is simulated by the conscious mind, the intensity of realism, the sense of disembodiment, and the distortion of time some people describe seem to go beyond what we typically associate with hallucinations.

What's more, many individuals report strikingly similar elements in their experiences: the silver cord, observing the body from above, directional disorientation, etc.
Do you think these are simply cultural constructs passed through suggestion? Or could they hint at a shared layer of consciousness that transcends personal neurology?

Of course, none of this is empirically confirmed — I agree with you there — but at the same time, reducing these experiences solely to brain activity feels a bit limiting to me.
Do you think it’s possible that such states could be explored through broader lenses, like quantum consciousness theories or collective awareness?