Near-death experiences are associated with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep intrusions in migraine patients, independent of migraine aura.
Bianca Raffaelli, Pia Kull, Jasper Mecklenburg, Kristin S Lange, Lucas H Overeem, Mira P Fitzek, Anke Siebert, Maureen Steinicke, Paul Triller, Lars Neeb, Jens P Dreier, Uwe Reuter, Daniel Kondziella
European Journal of Neurology October 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15991 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Prospective cross-sectional cohort study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 808 |
| Population | Migraine patients at a tertiary headache center |
| Topics | Near-death experience |
| Keywords | Rem sleep Cortical spreading depolarization Headache Migraine aura |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key findings | Prevalence of near-death experiences and REM sleep intrusions did not differ by migraine aura status, but an association between NDEs and REM sleep intrusions was identified. |
Abstract
Migraine aura, near-death experiences (NDEs), and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep intrusions might share common mechanisms. Here, we investigated the prevalence of NDEs and REM sleep intrusions in people with migraine. We hypothesized that NDEs and REM sleep intrusions are more prevalent in migraine patients with aura than in those without. We conducted a prospective cross-sectional cohort study at a tertiary headache center, based on a prespecified sample size (n = 808). Migraine patients completed a series of questionnaires, including questions about demographic and headache characteristics, the 16-item Greyson NDE scale, four questions about REM sleep intrusions, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21). Of 808 migraine patients (mean age 44.4 ± 13.3 years, 87.0% women), 353 (43.7%) had a current or previous history of migraine aura. Prevalence of NDE was 2.7% and not different in patients with and without aura (2.8% vs. 2.6%; p > 0.999). REM sleep intrusions were reported by 5.4% of participants and in a similar proportion of patients with and without aura (6.3% vs. 4.9%; p = 0.43). However, participants with REM sleep intrusions had had an NDE more often than participants without REM sleep intrusions (n = 5/44, 11.4% vs. n = 17/754, 2.2%; p = 0.005). Higher DASS-21 scores were associated with REM sleep intrusions (p < 0.001). In this tertiary center cohort study, the prevalence of NDE and REM sleep intrusions was not influenced by migraine aura status. However, we identified an association between NDE and REM sleep intrusions, which corroborates the notion that they might share pathophysiological mechanisms.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on near-death experience, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fantasy Proneness Correlates With the Intensity of Near-Death Experience Individuals who have experienced a near-death experience (classical or NDE-like) and... | 2018 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 228 |
| A systematic analysis of distressing near-death experience accounts Individuals who had a near-death experience and wrote down their account | 2019 | Cross-sectional study | n = 123 |
| Reduced death threat in near-death experiencers Adults who had near-death experiences, came close to death without NDE, or never came... | 1992 | Cross-sectional study | n = 290 |
| Near-Death Experiences in a Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic Population Psychiatric outpatients | 2003 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 832 |
| Near-Death States Reported in a Sample of 50 Misusers Previous ketamine misusers who reported a ketamine-related near-death experience | 2010 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 50 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- A neuroscientific model of near-death experiences. Nature Reviews Neurology June 1, 2025
- The Neuroscience and Psychology of the Alien Abduction Phenomenon: A Review World Futures April 19, 2026
- Chinese translation and validation of the Near-Death Experience Content scale. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2023
Cites 9
- The Near-Death Experience Scale The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease June 1, 1983
- Does the arousal system contribute to near death experience? Neurology April 10, 2006
- Near-death experiences between science and prejudice Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2012
- Semiology and Mechanisms of Near-Death Experiences Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports July 27, 2019
- Prevalence of near-death experiences in Australia. Journal of Near-Death Studies 2005
and 4 more in the library