Near-death experiences (NDEs) are reported by people who have recovered from clinical death, often involving a feeling of euphoria, rising above their bodies, and interactions with deceased relatives or spiritual entities. While religious survivors describe the experience in spiritual terms, scientists suggest the brain may be responsible for many NDEs, such as generating images from repressed memory banks. The light seen at the end of a tunnel may be the first memory of childbirth. NDEs remain controversial and not easily explained, with some survivors using their experiences for religious testimony or ministry work.
A near-death experience (NDE) is a controversial phenomenon reported by many people who have recovered from a state of clinical death. Most often, reports of near-death experiences occur after traumatic incidents or during surgical procedures. During the period when breathing and blood circulation have stopped, some people report a feeling of euphoria or contentment or in some cases fear. Others have claimed to rise above their bodies, sometimes watching resuscitation efforts. Many people have reported interactions with deceased relatives or friends, while others with strong religious beliefs describe encounters with God or Jesus or another spiritual entity. The most common description of a near-death experience involves traveling through a tunnel to a distant light. Some report reaching the source of the light, only to be returned to their physical bodies upon reanimation.
There is no doubt that the near-death phenomenon remains controversial. Those with strong religious belief structures routinely describe the process in spiritual terms, which cannot be measured scientifically or medically. For these people claiming near-death experiences, the episode is generally seen as positive and faith-affirming. Seeing deceased relatives and friends or meeting their spiritual creator brought feelings of contentment not regularly experienced in their ordinary world.
Many religious survivors of a near-death experience report a feeling of profound disappointment as a spiritual presence commands them to return to their physical bodies. Some say they were asked to decide whether or not to return to their lives on Earth. For many survivors, the decision to stay with the living proved difficult. Near-death survivors who report a lack of interest in religion before the experience often become more dedicated and focused after it.
From a scientific and medical standpoint, however, there are some tangible explanations for many of the near-death experiences. Some researchers believe that the brain itself may be responsible for many of the experiences described by survivors. When the brain begins to suffer from a lack of blood and oxygen, it can go into a self-protection mode to prevent further damage or prepare for imminent death. Some scientists believe that the images seen by dying patients are generated as the brain processes repressed memory banks. The feeling of euphoria could be the result of a deep sleep state, just like getting a great night’s rest. As the brain continues to shut down, memories of deceased relatives and friends may appear in the form of lucid dreaming. Lucid dreams often involve a feeling of real interaction between the dreamer and the visions.
The light seen at the end of a tunnel may be their oldest memory: the moment of childbirth. A baby’s first memory may be of going through the birth canal and seeing the lights in a delivery room. The experience of meeting God or Jesus or another spiritual force could be another form of lucid dreaming, based on the patient’s most intimate spiritual experiences. Once the body has been resurrected, the subconscious mind suddenly reunites with the conscious brain, which can be a jarring experience. This could explain the feeling of being snatched away from another reality.
Near-death experiences cannot be easily explained with conventional wisdom. Many people who have been pronounced clinically dead report no near-death experiences. On the other hand, non-religious patients have described spiritual
experiences in near-death situations. Some NDE survivors may not feel comfortable discussing certain aspects of their experiences. Others use their near-death experiences as a foundation for religious testimony or ministry work.
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