NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES AND THE PARADIGM OF CONSCIOUSNESS: A NARRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW
Beatriz Rocha Zaniboni, Luan MLV Rodrigues, Wilson CLV Rodrigues
LUMEN ET VIRTUS September 23, 2026 DOI: 10.56238/levv17n64-129 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Narrative literature review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Near-death experience |
| Key findings | The review reports that NDEs share recurring features such as peace, out-of-body experiences, and transcendent perceptions, with significant life impacts. Proposed explanations including neurochemical mechanisms, cerebral hypoxia, and psychological factors each fail to fully explain NDEs, and the authors conclude that methodological limitations and unresolved questions about consciousness leave NDEs an open field challenging traditional mind-brain models. |
Abstract
Introduction: Near-death experiences (NDEs) are complex phenomena of consciousness, described as subjective experiences occurring in life-threatening situations, often associated with cardiorespiratory arrest.
Objective: Through a narrative literature review, this study aimed to analyze the main characteristics, clinical implications, and explanatory theories regarding NDEs, relating them to existing definitions of consciousness.
Method: A literature search was conducted using the Google Scholar, PubMed, and LILACS/BVS databases, covering articles published in Portuguese and English between 2001 and 2026.
Results: It was observed that these experiences present recurring elements — such as a sense of peace, out-of-body experiences, and transcendent perceptions — along with significant impacts on individuals' lives. Various pathophysiological hypotheses have been proposed, including neurochemical mechanisms, cerebral hypoxia, and psychological influences; however, none fully explains the phenomenon. Furthermore, methodological limitations and questions regarding the nature of consciousness indicate a need for more comprehensive approaches.
Conclusion: It is concluded that NDEs remain an open field of inquiry, challenging traditional models of the mind-brain relationship.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on near-death experience, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distressing Near-Death Experiences | 1992 | Review | |
| Attitude Change Following Near-Death Experiences Individuals who have had near-death experiences | 1980 | Review | n = 21 |
| Near-death experiences. | 2004 | Review | |
| The Handbook of Near-Death Experiences | 2009 | Review | |
| Near-death experiences in cardiac arrest survivors | 2005 | Review |