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Near-Death States Reported in a Sample of 50 Misusers

Ornella Corazza, Fabrizio Schifano

Substance Use & Misuse March 1, 2010 DOI: 10.3109/10826080903565321 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Cross-sectional survey Randomized Peer reviewed
Sample size 50
Population Previous ketamine misusers who reported a ketamine-related near-death experience
Topics Cannabis Ketamine MDMA Near-death experience
Keywords Concordance Checklist Recreation Clinical psychology Demography
Citations 43
Key findings Recreational ketamine use may be associated with near-death-related states, with the most common features being altered time perception, out-of-body sensations, and peace or joy.

Abstract

Increase in recreational ketamine use may be a cause for concern. We aimed here at assessing, in a sample of ketamine misusers, concordance between the typical near-death experience (NDE) features and the on-drug psychoactive effects the subjects experienced. In 2003-2005, a sample of previous ketamine misusers recollecting a ketamine-related NDE were recruited through snowballing and screened with the means of the Greyson NDE Scale; 125 participants made an initial contact with the researcher and 50 reported a minimum score of seven at the "Greyson NDE Scale". Interviewees were in the range 21-66 years old; 27 participants (54%) were educated at BA level, 18 (36%) had an MSc, and 5 (10%) a PhD. Eight (16%) interviewees had a definite religious background. An average lifetime ketamine intake of 140 occasions was reported by the interviewees, who typically presented with a polydrug, including cannabis and MDMA/ecstasy, misuse history. In 45 (90%) cases, the NDE occurred during the first few occasions of intake. Most frequent features of reported NDE states included: altered perception of time (90%), strong sense of detaching from own physical body (88%), and a sense of peace/joy (76% of subjects). Although results here described were elicited from a self-selected, nonrandomized, limited size sample of misusers, we suggest that recreational ketamine intake may be associated with occurrence of near-death related states.

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
Prevalence of near-death experiences in Australia. General population of Australia 2005 Cross-sectional survey

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Cannabis Ketamine MDMA Near-death experience