Near Death Experiences (NDE)

[Lori Jane]

Learnings from 1,000+ Near-Death Experiences — Dr. Bruce Greyson, University of Virginia​

Near-Death Experience Verification​

"In the middle of the operation, he rose up out of his body and looked down and saw the surgeons operating on him."

• A patient described an extraordinary near-death experience while undergoing surgery, where he claimed to have left his body and observed the operation from above. He was able to identify a surgeon whom he had never previously met, who was supposedly flapping his arms as if attempting to fly. This experience struck the interviewee as dubious, prompting him to suspect hallucination. However, the patient insisted that this event happened, urging the interviewer to verify it with the concerned doctor.
• Upon inquiring with the surgeon involved in the patient's operation, he confirmed an unusual practice: he often let his assistants start surgical proceedings while he prepared himself in the background. This allowed him to maintain sterility and observe the situation without directly touching any instruments. He described pointing things out with his elbows to avoid risk. Notably, this surgeon mentioned that he had never seen another doctor conduct themselves this way during surgeries, suggesting an idiosyncratic approach.

Early Beliefs and Scientific Background​

"I was raised in a scientific, non-religious household; my father was a chemist."

• The interviewee grew up in a household influenced heavily by scientific principles, with a strong focus on empirical evidence and a lack of religious framework. His father's belief system emphasized that only the physical world exists, which shaped his perception of reality. Early exposure to scientific experiments sparked his curiosity and desire to discover new information, leading him to aspire to a career in science.
• Despite a lack of fear surrounding death during his upbringing, he expressed curiosity about the things scientists have yet to understand, indicating that he wanted to explore these unknown areas as he pursued his medical education.

Fascination with Psychiatry and Unique Conditions​

"When I went through medical school, I found there were so many more unanswered questions in Psychiatry."

• In medical school, the interviewee initially considered a path in family medicine. However, he shifted his focus toward psychiatry due to the apparent complexity and the multitude of unanswered questions relating to the brain and mental health. He became particularly drawn to psychosis and extreme mental conditions, such as schizophrenia and manic-depressive illness, which presented unique perspectives on reality divergent from typical experiences.

This fascination set the stage for his intensive exploration into the mysteries of the mind and fueled his drive to understand the various complexities of psychiatric conditions.

The Persistence of Inquiry into Near-Death Experiences​

"I started collecting cases, and it wasn't hard to do; these are very common phenomena, but nobody talks about them."

• The speaker has been researching near-death experiences (NDEs) for over 50 years, initially expecting to find simple physiological explanations within a few years. Instead, they found the complexities of NDEs challenging and have grown comfortable with the idea of not knowing all the answers.
• A common misconception is that NDEs are rare; however, once individuals who have come close to death are asked about their experiences, it becomes clear that such experiences are more prevalent than broadly acknowledged. This realization drove the speaker's long-term fascination with the subject.

The Near-Death Experience Scale Development​

"We developed the scale of these 16 items, and I've used that for the standard of deciding which ones of these phenomena are near-death experiences."

• In the late 1970s, researchers came together to create a standardized scale for assessing NDEs, which originally had an overwhelming amount of proposed features. After thorough surveys among researchers and experiencers, they determined a refined list of 16 core elements that define NDEs.
• These elements include rapid and clearer thought processes, a sense of unconditional love, and potent emotions, typically of joy and bliss, which were agreed upon by both researchers and experiencers through iterative feedback.

Separating True Experiences from Misconceptions​

"Some people are making things up, they want the Bible, they want to be held as Messiahs; that’s true."

• The discussion highlights the difficulty in distinguishing genuine NDEs from those fabricated or misinterpreted by individuals. A categorization process exists for NDEs, utilizing a scoring scale to differentiate true experiencers from those who claim experiences without strong supporting evidence.
• It is noted that many self-declared experiencers may have mental health conditions that lead them to misinterpret their experiences, rather than outright deceitful intentions. This complex dynamic poses challenges for researchers in filtering out false positives.

Jack's Near-Death Experience​

"During that time, he had a near-death experience and told me that he was in this beautiful pastoral scene."

• Jack, a young technician in South Africa during the 1970s, experienced severe pneumonia that led to a respiratory arrest and required resuscitation.
• While hospitalized, he had a primary nurse, Anita, with whom he flirted. When she took a weekend off, he had another serious incident that resulted in a near-death experience.
• In this experience, Jack found himself in a beautiful landscape where he encountered Anita, who instructed him to return to life and relay a message to her parents about her love and an apology for crashing a red MGB.
• Unbeknownst to Jack, Anita had passed away in a car accident earlier that weekend, providing him with knowledge he could not have known otherwise.

The Unusual Circumstances of Anita's Death​

"It turned out that she had taken the weekend off to celebrate her 21st birthday."

• Anita’s surprise birthday gift was a red MGB car, which she drove shortly after taking it. Tragically, she crashed into a telephone pole and died just hours before Jack's near-death experience.
• This coincidence raises profound questions about the nature of consciousness, death, and the potential for communication beyond life.

Skepticism Surrounding Near-Death Experiences​

"I don't see any way he could have known or wanted or expected her to have an accident and die."

• There are numerous documented cases similar to Jack's, known as Peak and Daran cases, where individuals report encounters with deceased persons they did not know had died.
• Skeptics might argue that such stories could be fabricated for dramatic effect, especially in the absence of independent verification, but the specificity and emotional weight of these accounts often contradict that notion.

The Significance of Verified Cases​

"I’ve got slightly more than a thousand in my database of the University of Virginia."

• The speaker documents over a thousand near-death experiences (NDEs), validating the phenomena as real events that occur under life-threatening conditions.
• Many individuals are hesitant to share their experiences due to societal ridicule or skepticism, which historically discouraged open discussion about NDEs.

The Case of the Surgeon Flapping Like a Bird​

"He tells me that in the middle of the operation, he rose up out of his body."

• One notable near-death experience shared involves a patient named Al, who observed surgeons operating on him. He reported seeing the chief surgeon flapping his arms as if trying to fly, an action that was later confirmed to have occurred.
• This peculiar detail adds to the intrigue surrounding NDEs, as it provides independent verification of Al's account, highlighting the complexity of consciousness during such experiences.

The Role of Skepticism and Oxygen Levels​

"What you find is that people who have near-death experiences actually have a higher oxygen concentration than people in similar situations who don't."

• Skeptics often attribute NDEs to a lack of oxygen or chemical changes in the brain due to anesthesia or drugs administered during medical emergencies.
• However, studies show that individuals who have had NDEs often exhibit higher oxygen levels than those who did not have such experiences, challenging the notion that low oxygen levels cause these phenomena.

Near-Death Experiences and Psychedelics​

"People using psilocybin now can produce things that mimic, in some ways, certain features of your death experiences."

• Various psychedelic substances, such as psilocybin and ketamine, are being explored for their ability to mimic certain aspects of near-death experiences (NDEs). While they can replicate some feelings associated with death, they do not encompass the entire phenomenon, specifically lacking the blissful feelings and accurate out-of-body perceptions often reported in genuine NDEs.
• Research conducted by Jan Holden at the University of North Texas examined around 100 cases of individuals who reported out-of-body experiences during cardiac events. Holden discovered that in 92 of these cases, participants' descriptions were corroborated by third-party witnesses, indicating a high level of accuracy in their claims.

Corroboration of Near-Death Experiences​

"You could independently, at least in theory, verify various occurrences while a patient was sedated."

• Numerous credible witnesses have come forward to support the accounts of individuals who experienced NDEs while under sedation or suffering from cardiac arrest. Some of the most fascinating examples include patients who reported witnessing deceased individuals whose deaths were unknown to them at the time. This adds a layer of intrigue, as these accounts can often be verified by other people present.
• Additional noteworthy cases involved patients describing very specific details from an out-of-body perspective—details that should have been beyond their knowledge. For instance, one patient accurately described a nurse’s mismatched shoelaces, showcasing the depth of these experiences.

The Influence of Circumstances and Culture on Experiences​

"The manner of death by and large does not affect whether you're going to have an NDE experience."

• The likelihood of having a near-death experience does not heavily depend on the circumstances of death, with exceptions noted for individuals under intoxication or extreme physiological duress during their experiences. Most research focuses on cardiac arrest patients due to their relatively stable health conditions prior to the event, offering a clearer understanding of NDEs without complicating factors.
• Interest is also growing in how cultural contexts shape the interpretation of NDEs. People often use metaphors derived from their religious or cultural backgrounds to explain their experiences. For example, individuals from Christian backgrounds might report seeing figures such as God or Jesus, while those from Hindu or Buddhist cultures might describe different entities or experiences, highlighting the universal nature of NDE phenomena despite varying cultural expressions.

Scientific Inquiry and Skepticism​

"There's a lot going on in physiological research now that was not available 50 years ago."

• Current advancements in neurological research and technology are providing new methods for investigating the science behind near-death experiences. Neuroimaging and enhanced algorithms for analyzing EEG data are enabling a deeper exploration of brain activity during these phenomena.
• While a materialist explanation for NDEs has yet to be found, ongoing investigation remains optimistic, as researchers continue to seek clear physiological answers. The understanding of NDEs could evolve significantly thanks to improving scientific methodologies and perspectives.

Understanding Correlation vs. Causation​

"Finding correlation between brain activity and experiences does not imply that the brain activity causes those experiences."

• The distinction between correlation and causation is critical, especially in studies involving near-death experiences (NDEs). Just because specific brain wave activities or chemicals are consistently linked to these experiences does not mean they are the cause. For example, the electrical activity related to hearing a voice does not cause the voice itself; instead, it reflects the experience of hearing.
• It is essential to identify physiological correlations of NDEs as mechanisms rather than causes. While we might uncover physiological signals accompanying these experiences, we must examine the underlying implications and effects rather than simply seeking the source.

Limits of Promissory Materialism​

"Promissory materialism is a philosophical position, not a scientific one, because it cannot be disproven."

• Promissory materialism posits that current gaps in scientific knowledge about phenomena like NDEs will eventually be filled by future discoveries. While it is a valid philosophical standpoint, it lacks scientific rigor since it is unfalsifiable; one cannot definitively prove it wrong if answers are perpetually postponed.
• The focus should be on the current understanding and interpretations of phenomena rather than waiting for future breakthroughs that may or may not come. Researchers and scholars across various domains—spiritual, materialist, neurophysiological, and philosophical—generally agree on the occurrence of NDEs but may differ significantly in their interpretations and what they signify.

The Clinical Perspective on NDEs​

"What matters most about near-death experiences is their impact on people's lives."

• Clinically, the main interest regarding NDEs lies in their consequences on individuals rather than the ultimate cause or significance behind them. The effects of these experiences, regardless of whether they stem from hallucinations or spiritual insights, can have a profound impact on how individuals engage with life post-experience.
• Common aftereffects of NDEs include increased altruism and a strong sense of connectedness to others. Notably, individuals previously involved in violent professions may find themselves unwilling to continue those roles after their experiences, indicating a substantial shift in values and decisions.

Children's Near-Death Experiences​

"Children's NDEs share similar phenomena to adults, but they don't experience elaborate life reviews."

• Research indicates that children and adults report very similar near-death experiences, though there are notable differences. Children often lack the comprehensive life review that many adults describe, simply because they have not yet lived as long.
• Additionally, children may encounter deceased pets rather than human relatives, showing a different focus in their experiences. Children frequently struggle more than adults in articulating their NDEs, often resorting to drawings to communicate their experiences.

Investigating Brain Activity During NDEs​

"Brain imaging studies and cardiac arrest research face significant challenges in examining near-death experiences."

• Conducting studies on brain activity during near-death experiences is complicated due to practical constraints. Traditional imaging techniques like fMRI cannot be employed at the moment of cardiac arrest or near-death events when immediate medical attention is required.
• While psychedelics and their effects on brain waves have been studied, linking findings directly to NDEs remains an intricate endeavor. Many reported studies on brain activity in dying individuals have not accurately captured the state of true death, as many subjects had hearts still beating and were not clinically dead when measurements were taken.

Insights from Near-Death Experiences​

"Most people say they saw the deceased loved one in their prime when they were young and healthy, not when they were dying."

• Many individuals report seeing deceased relatives during near-death experiences (NDEs), often describing them as appearing much younger than when they passed away. This observation raises questions about whether prior conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases, influence the way these loved ones are perceived.
• The descriptions provided by those who have experienced NDEs often lack specific language to accurately convey what they witnessed, indicating that their experiences might be more about emotional and sensory interpretations than visual records.
• A common theme among reports is that people encounter deceased relatives at the peak of their lives, focusing on their youthful and healthy appearances rather than their final moments of decline.

Research Directions in NDE Studies​

"I would like to see more research into the practical applications of near-death experiences."

• There is a call for additional research into the implications of NDEs on individuals' lives and their personal adjustments following these experiences. It is crucial to understand how people cope and what support they feel they need after experiencing NDEs.
• Current studies are exploring the barriers physicians face when patients want to discuss their NDEs. A significant finding is that many doctors express a lack of knowledge or time as the primary barriers preventing them from engaging in these discussions.
• Understanding physician attitudes towards NDEs can lead to improved training and structured conversations regarding such experiences, which ultimately benefits patient care and understanding.

Exploring Altered States of Consciousness​

"The tool we have that comes closest to replicating an NDE are certain psychedelic drugs in a very supportive environment."

• Simulating NDE-like experiences raises challenging questions, particularly regarding how well altered states of consciousness can be authentically recreated. While psychedelic substances may mimic some features of NDEs, they do not replicate the full experience or its aftereffects.
• Experiences induced by drugs are often viewed through a lens of skepticism since they can easily be dismissed as hallucinations, unlike genuine NDEs, which tend to carry profound and lasting impacts on individuals.
• Research indicates that while psychedelic substances may lead to certain mystical experiences and a reduction in the fear of death, the context in which they are experienced plays a vital role in determining the outcome and interpretive acceptance of these experiences.

The Nature of Out-of-Body Experiences​

"They call these out-of-body experiences; they're not. They're semantic hallucinations."

• The speaker discusses the phenomenon of out-of-body experiences (OBEs) and distinguishes them from semantic hallucinations. They argue that experiences often labeled as OBEs can actually be misidentified semantic sensations rather than true separations of consciousness from the body.
• They also highlight the difference between OBEs and experiences induced by psychedelic substances, suggesting that there is no current evidence for drug-induced OBEs providing accurate perceptions of the environment, unlike those reported in near-death experiences.

Personal Experience with Psychedelics​

"I had no expectancy... the experience was effectively a flattened abstract experience devoid of time and space."

• The speaker shares their personal journey with a psychedelic called Salvia divinorum and details their out-of-body experience. They emphasize their lack of prior knowledge about the substance and the observational conditions under which they were studied, including being in an fMRI machine.
• Their experience was marked by an abstraction of time and self, and they likened their perspective to that of a CCTV camera, observing their surroundings and the actions of clinicians while being physically restrained.

The Mind-Brain Relationship​

"All our experiences are filtered to us through the brain; you can have the most elaborate mystical experience in the world, but to tell me about it, you have to be back in your body with words created by your brain."

• The speaker reflects on the relationship between the mind and the brain, challenging the notion that the mind is solely a product of brain activity. They reference experiences of individuals with impaired brain function who report profound experiences, suggesting the existence of a mind beyond the physical brain.
• Additionally, they discuss how the brain serves as a filter for sensory inputs, concentrating on survival-related stimuli while filtering out non-essential information. This filtering mechanism can be altered during mystical experiences or near-death experiences, offering access to 'other consciousness.'

Questions of Consciousness and Experience​

"Studying this field and documenting these cases is not without career cost."

• The conversation raises philosophical questions about the nature of consciousness, where it resides, and how it interacts with the brain. The speaker admits a lack of understanding regarding the communication between a non-physical mind and the physical brain, emphasizing that both materialistic and non-materialistic perspectives fail to explain the genesis of thought and experience.
• They propose that the scientific pursuit of understanding these phenomena implies a provisional nature of knowledge, suggesting that future advancements in science may shed light on what currently remains inexplicable.

Costs of Researching Unconventional Phenomena​

"Handling Schedule One compounds and so on to take that path was viewed as career suicide."

• The speaker reflects on the initial stigma associated with studying unconventional phenomena, specifically related to Schedule One compounds. In the 1980s, pursuing research in this area was deemed risky, and it could jeopardize academic tenure. The environment at the time led many to dismiss such research as trivial or inconsequential, suggesting that it was simply the ramblings of a few eccentric individuals.
• Personal consequences from this stigma are evident; the speaker experienced pressure from their university, where they were warned that continuing their research would hinder their chances of gaining tenure. Consequently, they chose to move to a different university to avoid potential career setbacks.
• Over time, the acceptance of studying unusual phenomena has improved, as indicated by the speaker securing tenure at two subsequent institutions. This shift suggests that the scientific community has gradually recognized the value in exploring such topics, especially when research is conducted scientifically and published in reputable journals.

The Drive to Understand Unusual Experiences​

"People do it partly because they're intellectually curious about it."

• The desire to understand unconventional experiences is driven by intellectual curiosity and the profound effects these experiences can have on individuals. The speaker emphasizes the importance of addressing these effects, advocating against the denial of such phenomena.
• As a psychiatrist, the speaker's motivation extends beyond academic interest; they aim to comprehend these experiences to assist those affected by them appropriately. Ignoring the realities of near-death experiences or out-of-body experiences would be deemed irresponsible in their professional opinion.

Researching Twin Communication and Genetics​

"We find out from the genomic analysis what genes are associated with disability."

• The speaker discusses a collaborative project aimed at studying extraordinary twin communication, which revolves around reliable communication experienced by twins over distances, potentially suggesting telepathic or extrasensory connections. This research explores the genetic underpinnings associated with these phenomena.
• The project involves surveying a significant database of twins to uncover genetic factors linked to near-death experiences (NDEs). The speaker expresses intrigue at the possibility that genetics might help determine who is likely to have a NDE, given existing statistics that only a portion of people report such experiences when their hearts stop.

Challenges in Studying Out-of-Body Experiences​

"There's been a total of six published studies of attempts to do this and none of them have been successful."

• Despite several attempts to study out-of-body experiences, research outcomes have been largely unsuccessful, leading to skepticism about their authenticity. The speaker indicates a need for more rigorous and controlled studies to better understand these phenomena, noting previous studies fell short due to unexpected variations in human behavior when isolated in laboratory settings.
• Acknowledging past unsuccessful attempts, the speaker expresses a desire to refine study designs to effectively analyze these spontaneous experiences, which often arise outside controlled environments. This highlights the complexity of measuring phenomena that don't easily lend themselves to scientific scrutiny or replication.

Sleep Studies and Brain Activity During Death Experiences​

"When you bring someone into the lab to measure their brain waves during sleep, it takes a day or two for them to adapt to the situation before you can actually get something that resembles their normal sleep."

• Conducting sleep studies requires time for participants to acclimate to the lab environment, indicating that controlled experiments may not fully capture natural experiences. Thus, researchers are aware that real-life experiences, especially regarding brain activity during critical moments, can differ significantly from laboratory findings.
• The disconnection between measured experiences and natural occurrences leads to questions about whether genuinely controlled circumstances can be established to study such phenomena. Researchers can utilize drugs or brain stimulation to mimic experiences but must acknowledge that these are not the true experiences themselves.

Open Questions About Consciousness and Brain Activity​

"The big question of course is how the mind and brain interact."

• There remains a significant gap in understanding the relationship between the mind and brain, with near-death experiences and phenomena like "terminal lucidity" raising essential questions. Terminal lucidity refers to a condition where individuals with advanced dementia suddenly regain lucidity and communicate coherently right before death, leaving researchers puzzled about the underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon.
• This paradox suggests that even as the brain shuts down, certain areas might still function, allowing for heightened awareness and communication. The lack of a clear medical explanation for terminal lucidity, despite it being witnessed by many, underscores a critical area for further research.

The Nature of Time in Non-Ordinary Experiences​

"Most new experiences say there was no time in this other realm; either time stopped or just ceased to exist."

• Individuals recounting non-ordinary experiences often describe a contradictory sense of time, suggesting a different reality where time does not function linearly. Despite their assertions, they still narrate events in a sequential manner, highlighting a paradox.
• The difficulty of understanding a realm without time presents a challenge for many, as most of life is structured around the linear passage of time. Exploring this concept raises intriguing questions about how different dimensions of reality could reshape our perception of time.

Auditory Hallucinations After Near-Death Experiences​

"We surveyed a large sample of near-death experiences about what seemed to be hearing voices long after the near-death experience."

• Research comparing auditory hallucinations from near-death experiences (NDEs) with those experienced by individuals with schizophrenia reveals stark differences. People who experienced NDEs often describe hearing helpful and guiding voices that enhance their lives, while those with schizophrenia report terrifying and intrusive hallucinations.
• This distinction suggests that the context of the experience significantly influences perception, leading to further inquiries about the neurological and psychological underpinnings of these phenomena.

Researchers in Consciousness Studies​

"There are a number of people around the world who are doing good research in this area."

• Notable researchers in the field, such as Samia at NYU, Peter Fenwick in England, and Natasha Tassel-Matamu in New Zealand, exemplify a commitment to exploring the mind-brain relationship with a balance of open-mindedness and rigorous skepticism. They conduct important cross-cultural comparisons and investigate the aftereffects of experiences like NDEs.
• Within this landscape, some researchers approach the subject from a materialist perspective while remaining open to possibilities that transcend conventional scientific understanding. This diversity in research approaches enriches the field.

The Irreducible Mind Concept​

"It basically means a mind that's not reducible to chemical processes or electrical processes in the brain."

• The concept of the irreducible mind challenges the idea that all thoughts and feelings originate solely from the brain's physical processes. This notion opens a dialogue on the independent nature of consciousness and its implications for understanding human experiences that defy typical explanations, such as exceptional talents or near-death experiences.
• For a deeper understanding, readers are encouraged to explore works that present evidence suggesting that consciousness may exist independently of brain activity.

Commonality and Nature of Near-Death Experiences​

"About 5% of the general population, or one in every 20 people, has had a near-death experience."

• Near-death experiences (NDEs) are more prevalent than many might realize, affecting roughly 5% of the population. This means that in a group of 20 individuals, statistically, one person has encountered an NDE.
• It's essential to understand that these experiences are not exclusively linked to mental illness; they can happen to anyone, regardless of their psychological state. Normal individuals are capable of experiencing NDEs during abnormal situations.

Long-Lasting Effects of NDEs​

"They can lead to profound, long-lasting aftereffects, both positive and negative, that never seem to go away over decades."

• The aftereffects of NDEs can be significant and enduring, impacting individuals for decades. These effects can manifest in various forms, some of which may be positive, leading to transformations in perspective, values, and understanding of life.
• Conversely, negative consequences can also arise, affecting mental health and personal relationships. It highlights the complexity of human experience regarding life and death, as individuals may carry these lasting impressions throughout their lives.

Recommended Resources on NDEs​

"You can find all things Bruce Grayson at brucegrayson.com, where you can discover several of his works, including 'After.'"

• For those interested in learning more about near-death experiences, Bruce Grayson is a key figure in this field. His book titled "After: A Doctor Explores What Near-Death Experiences Reveal About Life and Beyond" is highly recommended for beginners seeking to grasp the intricacies of NDEs.
• Grayson has contributed extensively to the study of these phenomena, and his website serves as a valuable resource for researchers and enthusiasts alike.

 

[Kaironaut]

There are way too many anecdotes, not to mention properly documented incidents that it is now absurd to dismiss the phenomenon . Psychic phenomena are in fact common, and NDE is just a small subset. It is however sad, that many actually do fake the accounts.