Near-death Research Articles

Consciousness and the Dying Brain.

The near-death experience has been reported since antiquity and is often characterized by the perception of light, interactions with other entities, and life recall. Near-death experiences can occur in a variety of situations, but they have been studied systematically after in-hospital cardiac arrest, with an incidence of 10 to 20%. Long attributed to metaphysical or supernatural causes, there have been recent advances in understanding the neurophysiologic basis of this unique category of conscious experience. This article reviews the epidemiology and neurobiology of near-death experiences, with a focus on clinical and laboratory evidence for a surge of neurophysiologic gamma oscillations and cortical connectivity after cardiac and respiratory arrest.

Medicine, Money, and Media: A Case Study of How the Covid-19 Crisis Corrupts Disclosure and Publishing Ethics

The trickster concept has been proposed as a useful description of paranormal phenomena in response to nine decades of inconsistent experimental results and the inability to develop sustained practical applications of psi. However, the trickster of mythology is too diverse and ambiguous for scientific research. The term ‘psi-trickster’ is used here to refer to an active factor that makes psi effects inconsistent and unsustainable but can be investigated scientifically. My transition from optimism about psi experiments to reluctantly accepting the psi-trickster is described. The primary purpose of this essay is to describe strategies and options for research given the apparent psi-trickster. Strategies for dealing with the psi-trickster include: (a) hope that continued experimental research will overcome it; (b) accept the far-reaching implications of the usual assumptions for psi experiments and develop models of unconscious conflicting psi influences by many different people; (c) investigate the possibility that reliable psi effects occur in rare conditions, such as after many years of intense meditation practice; (d) propose physics-based models; and (e) consider that factors other than the motivations of living persons may be involved. Experimental psi research has the ultimate goal of converting psi to technology. Like other technologies, the most advanced development will be for military uses and for corporate profits. Spontaneous psi experiences tend to inspire a sense of meaning in life and a belief that the person’s life is watched over, similar to mystical and near-death experiences. The psi-trickster characteristics prevent psi from being converted to technology and preserve its mysterious, mystical aspects. An in-depth investigation is needed to understand how paranormal beliefs and experiences affect a person’s life and society as a whole. This is the first step in investigating the psi-trickster characteristics and should include the distribution of beliefs in the population for the full spectrum from skeptics to proponents.

Coming to Terms With the Psi-Trickster

The trickster concept has been proposed as a useful description of paranormal phenomena in response to nine decades of inconsistent experimental results and the inability to develop sustained practical applications of psi. However, the trickster of mythology is too diverse and ambiguous for scientific research. The term ‘psi-trickster’ is used here to refer to an active factor that makes psi effects inconsistent and unsustainable but can be investigated scientifically. My transition from optimism about psi experiments to reluctantly accepting the psi-trickster is described. The primary purpose of this essay is to describe strategies and options for research given the apparent psi-trickster. Strategies for dealing with the psi-trickster include: (a) hope that continued experimental research will overcome it; (b) accept the far-reaching implications of the usual assumptions for psi experiments and develop models of unconscious conflicting psi influences by many different people; (c) investigate the possibility that reliable psi effects occur in rare conditions, such as after many years of intense meditation practice; (d) propose physics-based models; and (e) consider that factors other than the motivations of living persons may be involved. Experimental psi research has the ultimate goal of converting psi to technology. Like other technologies, the most advanced development will be for military uses and for corporate profits. Spontaneous psi experiences tend to inspire a sense of meaning in life and a belief that the person’s life is watched over, similar to mystical and near-death experiences. The psi-trickster characteristics prevent psi from being converted to technology and preserve its mysterious, mystical aspects. An in-depth investigation is needed to understand how paranormal beliefs and experiences affect a person’s life and society as a whole. This is the first step in investigating the psi-trickster characteristics and should include the distribution of beliefs in the population for the full spectrum from skeptics to proponents.

"There is nothing to protect us from dying": Black women's perceived sense of safety accessing pregnancy and intrapartum care.

Pregnancy and childbirth have become a dangerous journey for Black women as harrowing stories of death and near-death experiences resonate within Black communities. While the causes of pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality are well documented, little is known about how Black Canadian women feel protected from undesirable maternal health outcomes when accessing and receiving pregnancy and intrapartum care. This critical qualitative inquiry sheds light on Black women's perceived sense of safety in accessing pregnancy and intrapartum care. Twenty-four in-depth interviews were conducted with Black women who were pregnant or had given birth. Five interconnected themes were generated through thematic analysis: (1) There is a lot of prejudice towards us, (2) We are treated as sick bodies, (3) There is a lot of stereotypes towards us, (4) Our care is lacking in quality, and (5) We feel unsafe in the healthcare system. These themes highlight the perils faced by Black women accessing pregnancy and intrapartum care. The right to safe motherhood and equitable care for Black women should be a national priority in Canada to avert a looming crisis.

Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians-N,N-Dimethyltryptamine and Ayahuasca.

N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a naturally occurring serotonergic psychedelic found in natural plants around the globe. As the main psychoactive component in ayahuasca, which also contains monoamine oxidase inhibitors, DMT has been consumed as plant-based brew by indigenous peoples for centuries. Further research is required to delineate the therapeutic utility of DMT. Although previous research has shown that DMT is synthesized endogenously, it may not be produced at physiologically relevant concentrations. Additionally, the phenomenological similarities between the DMT-induced state and near-death experiences led to the popular hypothesis that endogenous DMT is released during the dying process. However, this hypothesis continues to be debated. Generally, DMT and ayahuasca seem to be physiologically and psychiatrically safe, although ayahuasca is known to cause transient vomiting. A double-blind, randomized controlled trial showed that, within 1 week, ayahuasca causes remission in 36% of patients with treatment-resistant depression. According to top-line results from a recent phase IIa trial, 57% of patients with major depressive disorder experienced remission 12 weeks after receiving a single intravenous dose of DMT. There has only been a single published double-blind randomized controlled trial on ayahuasca and 2 on DMT. All clinical trials have had small sample sizes (≤34 participants). DMT requires further research to understand its therapeutic and clinical potential as a psychedelic. Preliminary evidence indicates that ayahuasca and DMT may be more effective than existing antidepressants for treating major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression.

From the operating table to global science: How a near-death experience sparked my passion for life

Kevin Christopher Brown Jr. is a winner of the fourth annual Rising Black Scientists Awards for a scholar in the life and health sciences. We asked emerging Black scientists to tell us about their scientific vision and goals, experiences that sparked their interest in science, how they want to contribute to a more inclusive scientific community, and how these all fit together on their journey. This is his story.

Exploring the Nature of Near-Death Experiences in Iranian Experiencers: A Case Study of the Participants in the Life after Life TV Series.

Near-death experiences (NDEs) are complex and challenging. The development of research on NDEs helps to understand and recognize this complex human phenomenon more effectively. The present study sought to explore the nature of NDEs in the lived experiences of Iranian who experienced near-death incidents (NDErs) using a qualitative phenomenological approach. The participants were 34 persons selected from Iranian NDErs. The collected data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step content analysis with MAXQDA software (version 2021). The data revealed 11 semantic codes about the nature of NDEs reported by Iranian NDErs. Overall, the results showed that the components of NDEs in many cases are similar to the nature of NDEs of the world. However, the type and quality of the positive and negative NDEs reported by Iranian people are different in terms of the feedback of actions and the return to the body compared to other NDEs reported by people in other countries.

Nurse Who Had MERS-CoV Complications with A Near-Death Experience during Pregnancy: A Narrative Analysis

Background: According to prevailing views in neuroscience, near-death experiences (NDE) occurring after severe head trauma, critical illness, or coma are often life-transforming experiences in which no awareness or sensory experience of any kind is possible. Although there are general patterns, each case is quite different from the other and requires accurate recording and reporting to potentially explain the phenomenon. Aim: This narrative study aimed to explore a pregnant woman’s NDE due to complications from MERS-CoV. Methods: This was a qualitative narrative study with the administration of two unstructured interviews. After the second interview, the participant completed the Greyson NDE scale, presented through descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analyzed using Labov’s model of narrative analysis through abstract, orientation, complicating action, evaluation, resolution, and coda. Results: The Greyson scale resulted in a total score of 12, confirming that the patient had experienced an NDE. Labov’s model of narrative analysis revealed that the patient’s experience was not limited to the NDE but had implications for her recovery and life. The patient experienced all three types of NDEs: out-of-body, transcendental, including the transition of consciousness to another dimension, and a combined experience. She also suffered from prolonged hallucinations, neuropathy, and post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). At the same time, the patient experienced what is known as NDE aftereffects, which are caused by a change in beliefs and values; she began to lead a more altruistic life and became interested in the meaning of life. Conclusions: NDE survivors should be encouraged to talk more and share their stories with others if they wish. This study not only investigates the NDE but also considerably adds to the existing literature by integrating a unique cultural view from a country outside of the US and other Western nations, and it highlights the significant role of healthcare providers in NDEs and the importance of communication with comatose patients. It underscores the need for compassion when dealing with patients with NDEs.

The therapeutic importance of the study of the effects of the near-death experience

During the near-death experience (NDE), most percipients do express a high level of orderliness; yet at some instances, some percipients show some symptoms of trauma. It is pertinent to notice that a great quantity of academic work has been carried out about the excitements and awesomeness that comes alongside the NDE, but very little has been itemised about the traumatic or the negative aspects of the NDE. The aim of this research is to discuss the seemingly abnormal effects of the NDE that can be connected to the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is important to note that the life review is one of the major features of the NDE in which a percipient narrates vividly and logically his or her dying experiences that may or may not include a feeling of guilt. A phenomenological method is implored in this research because the researcher uses the life review feature to argue that there is both saneness and some distressing features observed among many NDE percipients. At the end of this study, the researcher argued that the NDE may provide scanty evidence or possibilities for symptoms that pertained to a PTSD that may require a therapeutic and medical attention.Contribution: The researcher challenges the current status quo, which does not provide any guide or therapy for NDE percipients. The researcher therefore instigates the need for the psychiatrists and other caregivers to begin to develop some guide or therapy for NDE percipients especially those who experience a negative NDE.

Chinese translation and validation of the Near-Death Experience Content scale.

In recent years, a growing number of near-death experience (NDE) testimonies have been collected worldwide due to an increasing interest in research on this phenomenon. China has many patients who survive life-threatening situations, leaving over much data on NDEs to be collected for research. In the historical context of Eastern civilization, many mentally controlled practices in China can also lead to "NDEs-like" (e.g., meditation). This study aimed (1) to translate and validate the recently developed Near-Death Experience Content (NDE-C) scale into Chinese and (2) to quantify and identify NDEs and NDEs-like in China with this new Chinese version of the NDE-C scale. Here, we presented the work that had been performed to translate the NDE-C scale into Chinese and validated this version on 79 NDE testimonies. Brislin's back-translation model was performed to translate a Chinese version of the NDE-C scale and internal consistency (the Cronbach's α value for the total group = 0.846) as well as the confirmatory factor analysis was conducted. Currently, the Chinese version of the NDE-C scale is ready for use in research practice in the context of Eastern culture, to screen people who have experienced an NDEs(-like) and to quantify their subjective experience, promoting further NDEs-related research in China.

The Darker Side of Near-Death Experiences

Modern research on near-death experiences (NDEs), powerful spiritual experiences triggered by a close brush with death, has focused on experiences characterized by profound positive feelings, ranging from incredible peace and calmness to bliss and ecstasy. However, throughout history there have been accounts of frightening deathbed visions and terrifying journeys to a hellish realm peopled by evil forces or beings. It is difficult to determine the prevalence of these distressing NDEs because the anxiety and judgmentalism they evoke deter experiencers from acknowledging and revealing them. Nevertheless, most recent studies estimate their prevalence at between 11% and 22% of all NDEs. Their phenomenology varies widely, but attempts to categorize distressing NDEs have yielded several distinct types. Various researchers have attributed distressing NDEs to the personal characteristics of the experiencer, to biological factors of the brush with death, or to other circumstances around the event. Overall, distressing NDEs appear to be associated with fewer permanent aftereffects than the more common pleasant NDEs, which may reflect the reluctance of experiencers to focus attention on unpleasant experiences. Nevertheless, some distressing NDEs lead to long-lasting emotional trauma. Several strategies have been described by which experiencers try to come to terms with and find meaning in, their distressing NDEs. Much research remains to be done on the causes and aftereffects of distressing NDEs and their relationship to other dark spiritual experiences.

Man against death: Identity, language, technology

The article is a review of the book by D. Davies Death, Ritual, and Belief: The Rhetoric of Funerary Rites (Moscow: NLO, 2022. 480 p.). The author notes the growing interest of society in the phenomenon of death and makes an attempt to systematize the key aspects of this phenomenon: from funeral rites in various cultures to near-death experiences and theories of grief. In the review, the emphasis is placed on two main ideas of the book: how words and rituals influence our dealing with death and how the phenomenon of death affects our identity. The review identifies both the strengths of the book and those aspects that require a further study, such as the impact of technology on society’s perception of death (contemporary interdisciplinary studies called ‘digital death studies’).

Evolution of the English Language, Nonfiction, Near Death Experience Book Genre Over the Past Fifty Years.

This study looks at the evolution of the nonfiction English language near death experience (NDE) book genre over the past 50years. The key research aim was to identify subgenres of NDE books to better understand how the epistemology of NDEs has been shaped by the popular literature. The study employed a qualitative methodology and was both inductive and deductive. World Cat and Library of Congress databases were used to identify printed and digital books, as well as textbooks, published on the NDE topic. Each book was coded to classify it within a specific subgenre. Findings showed that the largest subgenre of English language NDE books has been the experiencer account, whether written in an autobiographical or biographical format. Other large subgenres have included scientific investigations, religiously oriented books (especially Christian), and books exploring the personal aftereffects of NDEs. Subgenres that have emerged in recent decades include compilations of "lessons" from NDEs, books written by neuroscientists, and books written by medical practitioners about patient experiences. The author concludes that public knowledge about NDEs has been greatly shaped by experiencer accounts published in books. Furthermore, the emergence of new subgenres of NDE books, and the growth of others, signals ongoing change in the epistemology of the phenomenon. Reflexive practice was central to the development of the final manuscript. Reflexivity is seamlessly integrated throughout the paper and demonstrates how the author's familiarity with the book genre, and the NDE subject in general, shaped the development and conduct of this study.

Exploring near death experiences with children post intensive care: A case series

Near death experiences (NDEs) can occur during life-threatening events. In this article, we present preliminary findings from a case study series. We highlight experiences of children that are synchronous with the basic elements of near death experiences (NDEs) and discuss how children describe their own experiences. Children reported unsolicited NDE type experiences that included out of body experiences, bright lights, bedside visions, bi-location and visiting celestial places. The aim of the article is to show that children are an important research population for the study of near-death experiences. Children's near-death experiences are simple and carry transcendental features such as a peaceful darkness, a knowing awareness and time alterations. Children assign a subjective reality to their near-death experiences. Younger children may demonstrate a visual NDE semiosis which warrants further investigation. The aim of the article is to demonstrate the value for involving children in NDE research through participatory and creative research methods.

(104) Postpartum Delirium and Near-Death Experience: A Case of Surviving a Complicated Delivery

(104) Postpartum Delirium and Near-Death Experience: A Case of Surviving a Complicated Delivery

God’s characteristics as reported by near-death experiencers

The aim of this study is to replicate Long & Perry’s (2016) God study using a more updated database and different inclusion criteria. The descriptions of God’s and Jesus’ characteristics as observed by 303 Near-death or Near-death-like experiencers were analyzed for their frequency both in the whole sample and divided by the participants’ religious experience. Both in the whole sample and in the religious experience subgroups, the main observed characteristics (approximately 70%) were a special Light and Unconditional Love, associated with other characteristics such as Oneness and Nonjudgmental, very similar to the descriptions reported following spiritual and mystical experiences. Only 13.9% of the descriptions reported God or Jesus assuming human form, as represented in popular religious images. These characteristics are not commonly reported descriptions of God’s in the texts of the main monotheistic religions. These first-person accounts of God’s characteristics complement what has been reported in association with spiritual/mystical experiences, offering a great resource for the scientific investigation of God’s nature.

Review of: "God’s characteristics as reported by near-death experiencers"

Review of: "God’s characteristics as reported by near-death experiencers"

Near-Death Experiences and Sleep Disturbance: An Exploratory Study Using Wrist Actigraphy.

Near-death experiences (NDEs) are nonordinary states of consciousness typically occurring on the brink of death. Sleep changes after NDEs have been described, including shorter sleep duration, longer sleep latency, and more sleep disturbances; however, objective verification is lacking. In this exploratory research, 57 participants took part in a 14-day actigraphy study and were assigned to three groups: those who have had an NDE ( n = 26); those who experienced a near-death event but without NDE ( n = 12); and those who had never come close to death ( n = 19). No significant differences were found between groups for actigraphy data. Paired samples t tests indicated significant differences between subjective and objective measures of sleep onset latency, sleep duration, and sleep efficiency, notably among the NDE group. Findings are indicative of the phenomenon known as sleep state misperception (SSM), which may have clinical implications for the study of NDEs and SSM.

Recognizing the Death Motif in the Near-Death Experience.

The typical near-death experience (NDE) is generally understood as an altered state of consciousness in which the experient has the impression of existing as an extrapersonal self out of and/or away from their physical body during real or presumed life-threatening and/or near-death circumstances. This presumed extrapersonal self can sometimes have a perception of being located within the proximity of the physical body whereas at other times it is under the assumption of having ventured to a transcendental location such as an otherworldly realm. The ego, while in this presumed disembodied state, often has the impression of encountering NDE personages such as deceased people, otherworldly spirits, and/or divine beings, especially during transcendental NDEs. However, this paper suggests that all of these noted features are part of a broader recognizable death motif in NDE reports, and provides qualitative examples of different types of this death symbolism for examination and exploration. It then discusses how the death motif in NDE reports possibly indicates a purposeful psychological function to heighten awareness of a threat to life though death symbolism that is meant to boost the desire and resilience to live and survive.

Piecing the Puzzle: Towards Intensive Care Unit Nurses’ Understanding of Patients’ Near-Death Experiences

This study aims to construct a model that elucidates the process by which nurses acquire an understanding of near-death experiences (NDE) in intensive care units (ICU). The researcher utilized a classic Glaserian grounded theory inquiry design approach. Employing theoretical sampling, twenty-one ICU nurses with clinical experience ranging from five to fifteen years were recruited. Subsequently, the researchers gathered data through in-depth interviews, observations, and memos. Generated data were transcribed verbatim and subjected to line-per-line analysis. Consequently, coding was performed on a contextual basis, followed by categorizing based on the obvious fit. The process of developing an understanding of patients’ near-death experiences is summarized in the formulated core category “Piecing the Puzzle,” which reflects five interwoven emergent themes, namely Superficial Knowing, Experiential Acquisition, Substantiation, Reflection, and Deepened Understanding. Just as a puzzle's final image emerges from fitting pieces together, nurses gradually unravel the intricate tapestry of a patient's near-death experience, leading to deeper insights into their emotional and spiritual journey. Based on study findings, a holistic nursing view that encompasses the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of patients' NDE experiences is paramount for nurses to provide comprehensive and compassionate care that facilitates healing and well-being.