Glossary

Near-death experience

A near-death experience is a profound psychological event reported by some people who come close to death or believe they are about to die.

Overview

Near-death experiences often include features such as a sense of peace, out-of-body perception, moving through darkness or a tunnel, encountering light, or reviewing one's life. Not everyone reports the same pattern. They are reported across cultures.

Key Insight

Near-death experiences raise major questions about consciousness, brain function, and the nature of subjective experience at the boundary of life.

Scientific Status

The field is controversial and actively discussed. Researchers have proposed neurological, psychological, and physiological explanations; some argue that certain features challenge standard materialist models of mind.

How Researchers Study It

Researchers study NDEs through interviews, surveys, and medical records. Some studies examine brain activity during cardiac arrest or similar crises.

Quick Facts

Field
psychology, consciousness research
Related Concepts
out-of-body experience, consciousness, tunnel experience
Typical Context
clinical or crisis situations

Related Terms

FAQ

  • Are near-death experiences proof of an afterlife?

    No. NDEs are subjective experiences that science explains in various ways; they are not scientific evidence for life after death.