Do near-death experiences really exist?

The existence of near-death experiences (NDEs) is a subject of much debate in science, philosophy and spirituality. NDEs are experiences that some people report after a life-threatening event, such as cardiac arrest, a serious accident or a deep coma.

Common elements of near-death experiences include seeing a bright light, feeling peaceful or experiencing out-of-body experiences.

In a life-threatening situation, the chemical and electrical activity in the brain changes. For example, a lack of oxygen can cause hallucinations, time distortion, and the feeling of being out of body.

Some researchers believe that NDEs are psychological responses to extreme stress or fear of death. The brain may activate a defense mechanism to protect the person from the emotional shock of a life-threatening event.

Experiencing a bright light or seeing deceased loved ones may stem from familiar cultural and religious expectations that our brains generate in extreme situations.

For many people, NDEs have a strong spiritual significance. Some see them as evidence for the existence of an afterlife or the immortality of the soul. The consistency of certain experiences, such as seeing a tunnel or light, is sometimes seen as evidence for this.

To date, however, there is no conclusive scientific evidence that NDEs are evidence of an afterlife. The experiences remain personal and subjective.

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10158795/

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-10-04 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024