If you find it fascinating/strange you might be interested in this snazzy article (which is the one which linked me to the concept to begin with) that discusses plausible (but speculative) mechanisms for both this and other mental phenomena, including dissociative identity disorder and certain religious experiences: http://www.meltingasphalt.com/neurons-gone-wild/
(I think I came across the link in the comment pages here not too long ago, and it's been posted to the main news stream before, a while ago.)
(I think I came across the link in the comment pages here not too long ago, and it's been posted to the main news stream before, a while ago.)