Near-death experiences 'explained'

[Analog]

The mystery of why people 'brought back from the dead' report powerful spiritual experiences may have a biological explanation, according to experts.

Researchers who studied brainwaves of dying patients, found there was a surge of electrical activity in their brains just moments before their lives ended.
The doctors from George Washington University medical centre in Washington believe this surge may be the cause of near-death experiences, where patients see themselves walking towards a bright light or floating outside their bodies.

Near-death experiences may be caused by a surge of electrical activity in the brain moments before death

Many patients who experience these sensations believe they are having a religious vision and treat it as confirmation of an afterlife.
Some revived patients even reported seeing religious figures such as Jesus, Muhammad or Krishna. Others said they felt suffused with a sense of peace as they start to walk into a light-filled tunnel.

However, the intensive care doctors at George Washington have an alternative biological explanation, which has been published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine.
A team led by Dr Lakhmir Chawla used an electroencephalograph (EEG), a device that measures brain activity, in seven terminally ill people to provide pain-relieving sedation.

Dr Chawla noticed moments before death patients experienced a burst of brainwave activity that lasted from 30 seconds to three minutes.
The activity was similar to that measured in fully conscious people. Soon after the surge the patients were declared dead.

'We think the near-death experiences could be caused by a surge of electrical energy released as the brain runs out of oxygen,' Dr Chawla told The Times.

'As blood flow slows down and oxygen levels fall, the brain cells fire one last electrical impulse. It starts in one part of the brain and spreads in a cascade and this may give people vivid mental sensations.'
He added that he had seen the same phenomenon in around 50 other patients.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...s-believe-gasp-dying-brain.html#ixzz0pPoyiRfm
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[Sea Moose]

cool story bro

 

[nick1985]

 

[MikeMike]

So, basically, near-death experiences, are ourselves, watching ourselves run around until all the electricity in our body is used...

aka, running around like a chicken with its head chopped off... only ours is in our brain...

 

[Fritzo]

God causes the electricial surge.

 

[mizzou]

Isn't all energy constant, none can be created or destroyed? What are our thoughts/consciousness, just the way our body interprets forms of energy?

I think we actually live on forever

 

[JEDI]

flimsier than the plot for a Michael Bay movie.

 

[SunnyD]

And this isn't old news how? Doctors pretty much knew this for decades.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

God causes the electricial surge.

Damn straight skippy.

 

[dardarla]

Perhaps it is a biological reaction to a supernatural phenomenon (a surge of electricity as the soul exits the body?)... even as we figure out and learn more about the brain, their will always be more to it, always more questions, etc.

If you've heard some of the accounts of Near-Death Experiences it's pretty fasincating stuff, where the person knew what their family was talking about in the waiting room, etc.

Personally I find this reinforcing of Near-Death Experiences, its physical proof that something unique is happening.

 

[totalnoob]

Personally I find this reinforcing of Near-Death Experiences, its physical proof that something unique is happening.

Physical proof of something happening in the physical world..yep. Nothing supernatural or magical about it.

 

[BUTCH1]

Perhaps it is a biological reaction to a supernatural phenomenon (a surge of electricity as the soul exits the body?)... even as we figure out and learn more about the brain, their will always be more to it, always more questions, etc.

If you've heard some of the accounts of Near-Death Experiences it's pretty fasincating stuff, where the person knew what their family was talking about in the waiting room, etc.

Personally I find this reinforcing of Near-Death Experiences, its physical proof that something unique is happening.

IIRC some could recall what was going on in another nearby room when their NDE happened..

 

[olds]

I remember reading this explanation. About 10 years ago.

 

[dardarla]

Physical proof of something happening in the physical world..yep. Nothing supernatural or magical about it.

Hence why I say personally

IIRC some could recall what was going on in another nearby room when their NDE happened..

Exactly, theirs a lot more to a NDE than the physical aspect of it.

 

[Old Hippie]

I remember reading this explanation. About 10 years ago.

Me to.

That's the reason I didn't/don't put a lotta stock in my near death experience confirming an after life.

I've told my story for the last 20 years and many feel that it's a confirmation of an after-life but I've never held that view.

Like some of my LSD experiences it can open your eyes to new ideas and show you what's important in life.

 

[olds]

Me to.

That's the reason I didn't/don't put a lotta stock in my near death experience confirming an after life.

I've told my story for the last 20 years and many feel that it's a confirmation of an after-life but I've never held that view.

Like some of my LSD experiences it can open your eyes to new ideas and show you what's important in life.

When tripping, I thought I was the smartest SOB around. When I came down, I couldn't remember all the things I was going to do to revolutionize the world.

 

[destrekor]

Yeah, this has been known for a long time.

Older articles even put far more detail into what it all means biologically.

Basically, the brain is firing everything all at once, and not only is the electrical impulses equal to moment of consciousness, but many of the Neurotransmitters are being released at the same time, surging with massive amounts. Essentially, the NTs are cascading through the body at levels far beyond typical consciousness.

Drugs (illicit or prescription)... all they actually do is alter these NT levels. It is the NT levels specifically that cause anything we may be feeling after consuming any particular chemical composition.

So in death, when our body is causing a massive spike of NT levels, what we feel and see if going to be so nuts, and is going to be a very personal experience, because it is still your brain at work.

Ultimately, it results in that feeling of peace. All pains are gone and you are left with a unimaginably serene and peaceful state of mind.

Seeing as parts of your body are still working during that moment, hearing others talk about you during your NDE isn't all that hard to explain. When you come back to consciousness, your brain can remember sensory inputs. Hearing, especially, since there isn't much travel from the sensory centers to the brain. While in an NDE, you might actually consciously acknowledge things you hear, which would make it far more likely that you remember it.

Everyone is different, their brains are wired a little different, and they have their own personal ideas going into an NDE, so the brain and the implied NT levels that go along with it, will personally effect each person differently. What they remember of it will be different too, just how much they remember, and any external sensory inputs during the NDE, may or may not be remembered.

 

[SandEagle]

if anyone wants to experience a near-death experience, PM me. I will gladly fly down to your place and beat you to a pulp. we can document the findings together and post the results back here later.

 

[JS80]

What's the explanation for life flashing before your eyes? When I had a near death experience, my life flashed before my eyes from back as long as I could remember to what was currently occurring.

 

[Old Hippie]

When tripping, I thought I was the smartest SOB around. When I came down, I couldn't remember all the things I was going to do to revolutionize the world.

You may have been the smartest SOB around but you should have recorded some of your discoveries to show the rest of humanity.

That way we'd all know who to bow to in the morning.

There was always a place on a good trip where I became totally incoherent and just had to sit down. Nothing made any sense and verbal communication was out of the question but my mind was exploring everything in minute detail and naturally I had the answers to everything.

One time I tried to write my thoughts during that period and when I looked at the piece of paper the next day it was just one full notebook page of letters and arrows that didn't make any sense.

AAR, both these type of experiences are definately thought provoking to say the least.

 

[Old Hippie]

What's the explanation for life flashing before your eyes? When I had a near death experience, my life flashed before my eyes from back as long as I could remember to what was currently occurring.

I've had one of those also but it was when I knew (in my own mind) I was going to die.

The other time with the white light was a "suprise" death and I had no time to "review" my life.

These are just my simple "take" on my experiences.

Seems not many have the chance to experience both types of "Pre Death" situations.

I guess it makes me pretty lucky to live thru both.

What a long strange trip it's been.

I was 58 on the May 26th and I hope my "Trip" goes on forever.

 

[dardarla]

I hope to have near death experience someday, even if its when I die... I believe life is just the first step on a journey, so when my time is up I'm not gonna be afraid to go to the other side

 

[BUTCH1]

When tripping, I thought I was the smartest SOB around. When I came down, I couldn't remember all the things I was going to do to revolutionize the world.

My first trip was a good time until the cops pulled us over for speeding, luckily I wasn't driving but the blue lights really, really freaked me out..

 

[Old Hippie]

I hope to have near death experience someday,

The circumstances that permit a near death experience are nothing to wish for and personally I think they should be avoided.

Watch what you "Wish" for.

 

[Old Hippie]

My first trip was a good time until the cops pulled us over for speeding, luckily I wasn't driving but the blue lights really, really freaked me out..

I have some great LSD stories but that's another thread.