There is nothing paranormal about near-death experiences: how neuroscience can explain seeing bright lights, meeting the dead, or being convinced you are one of them.
Trends in Cognitive Sciences October 1, 2011 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2011.07.010 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAbout 3% of Americans report having had a near-death experience, typically involving a sense of the soul leaving the body, approaching a bright light, and entering a reality of overwhelming love and bliss. Contrary to popular belief, research suggests these experiences are not paranormal but rather result from normal brain function gone awry during a traumatic or sometimes harmless event.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Americans |
| Key finding | Near-death experiences are manifestations of normal brain function gone awry, not paranormal phenomena. |
Abstract
Approximately 3% of Americans declare to have had a near-death experience. These experiences classically involve the feeling that one's soul has left the body, approaches a bright light and goes to another reality, where love and bliss are all encompassing. Contrary to popular belief, research suggests that there is nothing paranormal about these experiences. Instead, near-death experiences are the manifestation of normal brain function gone awry, during a traumatic, and sometimes harmless, event.