Near death Experiences By Mide Tinubu

Explanations of Near Death Experiences

Psychological Explanations Some people hold paranormal beliefs and this leads them to interpret events in terms of paranormal explanations, for example viewing NDEs as spiritual experiences unlike those who don’t believe in the paranormal.

Biological explanations One suggestion is that endorphins are released at times of pain or stress and these lead to feelings of euphoria and detachment (carr, 1982). More recent explanations suggest that NDEs are related to hypoxia (lack of oxygen) which may occur, for example during cardiac arrest or fainting. This hypoxia might cause REM intrusions which create a mixed sleep/awake state, that could, like OOBEs, disrupt the integration of sensory information. Alternatively hypoxia creates a flood of the neurotransmitter glutamate which causes neuronal death. As a defence, the brain creates a protective blockade to prevent neuronal death and this blockade is the source of an NDE.

Ring (1980) + Nelson et al (2006) Evidence for NDEs comes from Ring (1980) and Nelson et al (2006). Ring interviewed 100 people who had NDEs, finding that about 60% of survivors reported a sense of peace, 33% reported OOBEs, 25% said they entered a tunnel and a few had experienced a kind of ‘life review’. Nelson et al (2006) studied 55 people with NDEs and 55 controls. He found that the NDE group were more likely to also experience ‘REM intrusions’

Jansen (1993) Evidence for NDEs comes from Jansen (1993). Jansen has experimented with the drug ketamine, giving it to patients to observe the effects. He has found that it can produce the classic symptoms of NDEs. In Addition, ketamine has been found to trigger the same blockade glutamate (Jansen,2009)

Cultural differences Augustine (2008) presented a comprehensive review of NDEs in different cultures and provided examples, such as in India NDEs involve encounters with Hindu figures and in Japan there were no instances of any light appearing. There were also consistent features, such as going through a tunnel, feelings of peace, OOBEs, and meeting a barrier between life and peace. Such differences and similarities suggest that both psychological and physiological factors are involved.

Naturally occurring NDEs – Ring (1980) + Nelson et al (2006) Ring (1980) interviewed 100 people who had NDEs, finding that about 60% of survivors reported a sense of peace, 33% reported OOBEs, 25% said they entered a tunnel and a few had experienced a kind of ‘life review’. Nelson et al (2006) studied 55 people with NDEs and 55 controls. He found that the NDE group were more likely to also experience ‘REM intrusions’

Artificially induced NDEs - Jansen (1993) Jansen (1993) has experimented with the drug ketamine, giving it to patients to observe the effects. He has found that it can produce the classic symptoms of NDEs. In Addition, ketamine has been found to trigger the same blockade glutamate (Jansen,2009)

Early studies Early studies may have lacked appropriate controls. Interviewer bias may have affected the data collected as Moody (1975) reported NDEs as wonderful experiences, whereas more recent research has found that for many people they are experienced as frightening. The key reason why may be whether the interviewer used pleasant language in Moody but recent researchers may have used harsher language.

Case Studies The problem with research into naturally induced NDEs is that the majority of research to do with them like Ring(1980) are based on case studies. Now this is perfectly justified because the problem with naturally occurring NDEs is that they can occur anytime which makes it hard for there to be lab research on them. However the case studies on people who have experienced naturally occurring NDEs cannot be truly applied to a general population as we cannot know if the conditions that occur in them would happen to everyone in everyday life.

Cultural differences Augustine (2008) presented a comprehensive review of NDEs in different cultures and provided examples, such as in India NDEs involve encounters with Hindu figures and in Japan there were no instances of any light appearing. There were also consistent features, such as going through a tunnel, feelings of peace, OOBEs, and meeting a barrier between life and peace. Such differences and similarities suggest that both psychological and physiological factors are involved.