Three cases of near death experience: Is it physiology, physics or philosophy?

Three patients who survived severe head injuries, critical illness, coma, or a suicidal attempt reported near-death experiences (NDEs), including out-of-body experiences (OBEs). Initially they remembered events from that time, but later could not recall them exactly. The authors discuss theories for NDE components and review literature, noting that whether these experiences are hallucinations or evidence of an afterlife remains debatable until more data are available.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Near-Death experience (NDE) following a severe head injury, critical illness, coma, and suicidal attempt has been reported. Purpose of study was to examine why a few patients report NDE after survival, do cultural and socio-demographic factors may play a role? The details of 3 cases of patients who reported near-death experience (NDE), is presented here. Several theories regarding the reasons, of the various components of the experiences, are discussed with a brief review of literature. All the three patients report the out of body experience OBE. All the three patients reported to remember initially the events that took place during this time, but after some time all three patients could not recall exactly the events that had happened. Whether these are only hallucinations or a proof of 'after life' will remain debatable until more data is communicated.