What It’s Like to Die: Scientists Detail Near-Death Experiences

A recent study by the University of Virginia (UVA) explains this long-standing puzzle, discovering that the human body may have vivid experiences when faced with a life-threatening medical emergency. About 15% of critically ill patients who recover from such a situation report having had these near-death experiences (NDEs). 

Typical Sensations in NDEs

Researchers asked 167 people who said they'd had an NDE. The results, which appear in Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research and Practice, indicate that these intense, fleeting experiences usually consist of:

• Floating outside of one's body.
• Traveling through a tunnel towards a light.
• Experiencing an intense sense of peace.
• Deep and Enduring Impact on Life

Near Death Experience frequently have a deep and enduring impact on one's life and outlook, the study discovered:

• Change in Beliefs: Approximately 70% of the participants indicated a profound change in religious or spiritual beliefs.
• Decreased Fear: Most participants indicated a decreased fear of dying after their experience.

The study also pointed out the increased need for support, indicating that 64% of the participants received professional or spiritual support. Although 78% found this helpful, most had difficulty locating individuals who understood the distinctiveness of their experiences.

Call for Compassionate Clinical Care

The research not only complicates our understanding of the phenomenon but also highlights the relevance of clinical care. According to Marieta Pehlivanova, the research team wishes to "close this gap and stimulate clinicians to take time and concern to these questions." The research highlights the necessity of compassionate care for individuals who come back from the edge of death with these deep, life-changing memories.

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