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JNDS, Volume 16, Number 1

Bianchi

University of North Texas Digital Library (University of North Texas) DOI: 10.17514/jnds-1997-16-1-p71-78 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Topics Ketamine
Keywords Nmda receptor
Key points Raises the question of whether a chemically-induced NDE-like experience is related to the use of a particular substance or to a genuine comatose state.

Abstract

Abstract: Although ketamine can induce a state similar to a near-death experience (NDE), there is a striking difference between experiences induced by ketamine used in a recreational context and in an operating room. Ketamine is a noncompetitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, as is ibogaine, the main alkaloid of a shrub used in Central Africa to induce NDEs in a religious context. Ibogaine can also elicit different experiences when used in a hallucinatory context or in initiatic rituals, where a superficial state of coma is induced. These data raise the question of whether the chemically-induced NDE-like experience is related to the use of a particular kind of substance or to a genuine comatose state.

Comparable studies

Other theoretical and historical papers on ketamine, most cited first.

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