Experiencing sensations like feeling a kiss or touch and hearing someone's voice when there is no physical presence of that person can be attributed to a few different factors. It's essential to consider both psychological and physiological explanations for such experiences:
Sensory hallucinations: Sometimes, our brains can produce sensory experiences that seem real but are not based on external stimuli. These are known as hallucinations. Sensory hallucinations can occur in various sensory modalities, such as sight, sound, touch, taste, or smell. They can be triggered by fatigue, stress, emotional states, sleep disturbances, or other neurological factors.
Hypnagogic hallucinations: Hypnagogic hallucinations are a type of sensory hallucination that occurs during the transition from wakefulness to sleep (while falling asleep) or from sleep to wakefulness (while waking up). They can be vivid and may involve any of the senses, including touch and hearing.
Sleep-related experiences: Sleep-related phenomena, such as dreams or sleep paralysis, could also be responsible for such experiences. Dreams can feel incredibly real and may include sensory details like touch and hearing. Sleep paralysis, which can happen when waking up or falling asleep, can involve a sense of presence, as if someone else is in the room.
Emotional attachment and memory: The brain's capacity to recall memories and emotions can be powerful. If you have a strong emotional attachment to your boyfriend, your mind may recreate familiar sensations, such as his touch or voice, especially in moments of relaxation or vulnerability (like being in bed before falling asleep).
Hypersensitivity: In some cases, people may have heightened sensitivity to certain stimuli, leading them to perceive sensations that might go unnoticed by others.
It's essential to remember that occasional experiences like this are relatively common and do not necessarily indicate any underlying health issue. However, if these experiences become frequent, distressing, or start to interfere with your daily life, it might be worth discussing them with a healthcare professional or a mental health specialist to rule out any potential underlying causes or concerns.
In any case, experiences like this are highly subjective and individual, so it's crucial not to jump to conclusions without proper assessment and evaluation from qualified professionals.