A group of American medical professionals led by George Mashour has published a review of the current state of research on near-death experiences. The authors highlight the significant progress made in this field over the past fifteen years. Despite the challenges of replicating near-death experiences in a laboratory setting, researchers have been able to conduct experiments to gain insights.
For instance, animal studies have revealed a surge in gamma wave activity in the brains of mammals at the time of death. Additionally, psychedelics like dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and ketamine offer another avenue for exploring near-death experiences. The authors are also optimistic about the potential of computer modeling in this area.
Near-death experiences have profound clinical, scientific, philosophical, and existential implications. The authors identify several levels of consciousness: awake, drowsy, sleeping, under anesthesia, or in a coma. When someone is declared clinically dead, they are seemingly at the lowest level of consciousness. However, given the rich and hyper-realistic nature of the “adventures” reported by near-death experience survivors, such experiences could instead represent a peak state of consciousness. This paradox lies at the heart of near-death experiences.
In your opinion, what is the most realistic approach to studying near-death experiences?
The article was published in April 2024 in Anesthesiology.
Drugs and plants may have side effects and should only be used in consultation with a doctor. This article does not call for independent experiments.
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