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near death experience

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·October 13, 2025·7 min read

What Happens After a Near-Death Experience?

New research reveals that people who have near-death experiences often undergo profound shifts in perspective, purpose, and priorities, but many struggle to integrate these changes into daily life. In a study of 167 individuals, over half sought counseling or support afterward, and those who received validation and understanding found the help most beneficial.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 9, 2024·4 min read

Near Death Experiences May Strengthen Human Interconnectedness

A new study shows that out-of-body experiences (OBEs), including near-death experiences, can dramatically increase empathy and transform how individuals connect with others. Researchers suggest this may result from "ego dissolution," where individuals lose their sense of self and feel deeply connected to the universe.

Electrophysiology Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·July 30, 2024·6 min read

Brain Activity in Dying Patients Does Not Indicate Consciousness

A recent study found increased brain activity in two dying patients, but it does not indicate consciousness. The research revealed gamma wave bursts in comatose patients with epilepsy, but no evidence these were tied to conscious experiences.

Electrophysiology Featured Neuroscience

·December 13, 2023·6 min read

Tracking Brain’s “Wave of Death”: New Insights into Neural End-of-Life

Researchers have made significant strides in understanding the neurological process of dying. Their study reveals that during anoxia, or oxygen deprivation, the brain undergoes a series of changes, including a massive release of glutamate and a surge in gamma and beta waves, potentially linked to near-death experiences. This is followed by a 'wave of death' - a high-amplitude wave marking the transition towards total cessation of brain activity.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 28, 2023·5 min read

Journeys Beyond: Contrasting Psychedelic Trips and Near-Death Experiences

A research study scrutinizes the parallels and differences between a near-death experience (NDE) during a coma and the experience induced by a potent psychedelic drug, 5-Methoxy-DMT (5MeO-DMT). The researchers found shared themes, such as ego dissolution and space-time transcendence.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 6, 2022·5 min read

Lucid Dying: Patients Recall Death Experiences During CPR

1 in 5 people who receive CPR report lucid experiences of death while they are seemingly unconscious and on the brink of death. The lucid experiences appear to be different from hallucinations, dreams, illusions, and delusions. Researchers found during these experiences the brain has heightened activity and markers for lucidity, suggesting the human sense of self, like other biological functions, may not completely stop around the time of death.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 24, 2022·4 min read

Psychedelics May Lessen Fear of Death and Dying, Similar to Feelings Reported by Those Who’ve Had Near Death Experiences

Both those who experienced a natural near-death experience and those who had a near-death experience while taking psychedelics report less fear of death and a lasting, spiritual positive experience.

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Featured Neuroscience

·March 6, 2022·5 min read

Death: How Long Are We Conscious for and Does Life Really Flash Before Our Eyes?

Researchers explore what happens in the brain in the moments before death and question whether our lives flash before our eyes during the final seconds of life.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 1, 2021·3 min read

Biological Purpose of Near Death Experiences Uncovered

Human near-death experiences may have arisen from an evolutionary mechanism, researchers report.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 12, 2021·5 min read

‘My Life Flashed Before My Eyes’: Researchers Explore the Phenomenon

Following a potentially life-threatening event, people often report seeing their "lives flashing before their eyes", where a multitude of memories from life events are recalled almost instantaneously. Researchers present theories on why this phenomenon may occur.

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Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·June 29, 2019·5 min read

One in 10 people have ‘near-death’ experiences

Near-death experiences (NDEs) including hallucinations, out-of-body sensations and time distortions, affect around 10% of people, a new study reports. 72% of people overall who experienced NDEs say their experience was unpleasant. Researchers found an association between NDEs and REM sleep intrusion into wakefulness, resulting in sleep paralysis and hallucinations.