What is a near-death experience?

Although most people who have come close to death say they remember nothing, a third or more may later report that "something happened." That "something" might be a near-death experience (NDE). There are several scientific theories to explain the NDE, including the theory that consciousness survives death. There are also many factors that can trigger a NDE.

No two NDEs are exactly identical, but within a number of experiences a pattern becomes evident. This pattern can be found in children's NDEs as well. The pattern (and any single experience) includes one or more of these things:

(1)  Feeling that the "self" has left the body and is hovering overhead. Sometimes a "silver cord" is seen connected to the body. Sometimes the person may later be able to describe who was where and what happened, sometimes in detail. Some people who were born blind can see while out of their body.

(2)  Moving through a dark space or tunnel and having a sense of timelessness. Sometimes the earth can be seen from outer space.

(3)  Experiencing intensely powerful emotions, ranging from bliss to terror. Sometimes heavenly music is heard.

(4)  Encountering a light. It is usually described as golden, or white, and as being magnetic and loving; occasionally it is perceived as a reflection of the fires of hell.

(5)  Receiving some variant of the message, "It is not yet your time" from a heavenly being by means of mental telepathy.

(6)  Meeting others; may be deceased loved ones, recognized from life or not; sacred beings; pets; guides; angels; orbs; unidentified entities and/or "Beings of Light"; sometimes symbols from one's own or other religious traditions.

(7)  A life review, seeing and re-experiencing major and trivial events of one's life, sometimes from the perspective of the other people involved, and coming to some conclusion about the adequacy of that life and what changes are needed.

(8)  Having a sense of understanding everything, of knowing how the universe works.

(9)  Reaching a boundary – a cliff, fence, water, some kind of barrier that may not be crossed if one is to return to life.

(10) In some cases, entering a city or library or receiving station.

(11) Rarely, receiving previously unknown information about one's life – i.e., adoption or hidden parentage, deceased siblings. Some bring back scientific discoveries. Some bring back knowledge concerning the future. Some bring back knowledge of past lives. Some bring back information concerning astrology.

(12) Decision to return may be voluntary or involuntary. If voluntary, it usually associated with unfinished responsibilities.

(13) Returning to life and to the body. Afterward, an increase in spirituality may be found. Often, dramatic changes within the person are discovered.

Some interesting facts concerning NDEs are: A group of people can die together and share the same NDE. Some NDEs have occurred when the brain is verified to be dead. NDEs have been occurring for thousands of years. They happen to people of all backgrounds: atheists, apostles, children, suicides, Buddhists, gays, Hollywood stars, Muslims, drug users, Jews, fighter pilots, psychics, alien abductees, epileptics, Christians, meditators, people having orgasms, and dreamers.

Most near-death experiences are pleasant, but others are deeply frightening. For additional information about frightening near-death experiences, contact IANDS (International Association for Near-Death Studies) for a special publication.

How many people have had this experience?

The Gallup Organization and near-death research studies have estimated some 13 million adult near-death experiences in the U.S. Add children's near-death experiences, and all experiences worldwide, and the figure would be much larger. Near-death experiences are uncommon, but not rare.

Why doesn't everybody close to death have one?

No one knows why some people do and others do not report a near-death experience under similar circumstances. Near-death experiences occur to sane and ordinary people all over the world, people of all religions, races, backgrounds, and ages.

What causes a near-death experience?

More than a dozen theories have been put forward to explain the near-death experience and its physical causes, but none of them singly or together fits all cases.

This is the nuttiest thing I ever heard.

Like other things which have no rational explanation at the present time, near-death experiences may at first seem "nutty." A near-death experience is a genuine experience – an event which one individual experiences and remembers – and it has consequences, but it cannot yet be explained in terms of what we usually think of as "normal."

This sure doesn't sound very scientific.

Science deals with objective matters, which can be observed, tested and measured by someone else. A near-death experience is a subjective experience: it can be felt and reported only by the person who has it. For this, among other reasons, some people claim that the near-death experience cannot be scientifically "real." Conversely, other scientists consider near-death experiences as scientifically valid as any other intense personal experience. The difference may be that some scientists demand physical proof of reality, while others are less troubled by ambiguity.

In any event, tens of thousands of near-death experiences are being reported from all parts of the world. Something does seem to be happening, whether or not everyone agrees that it is scientifically understandable.

Don't near-death experiences prove that there is life after death?

Certainly this is a very popular interpretation, although there is no "proof" in a statistical sense and no consensus on what this may mean. A more cautious expression is that near-death experiences suggest that some aspect of human consciousness may continue after physical death. At this time, no one can demonstrate whether this is true.

Are the people who have near-death experiences very religious?

People who report near-death experiences are no better or worse – and no more or less religious – than in any other cross-section of the population. They come from many religious backgrounds and from the ranks of agnostics and even atheists. The experience seems more closely related to a person's life afterwards than to what it was before.

How do people react when they come back?

A person who has just had a near-death experience probably has very mixed feelings. One person may express anger or grief at being resuscitated; another struggles to stay awake. Other typical reactions:

(1)  Fear that the near-death experience was a psychotic episode.

(2)  Disorientation because reality has shifted.

(3)  Euphoria, feeling special or "chosen."

(4)  Withdraw to ponder the experience.

Does a near-death experience really change a person's life?

Almost every near-death experiencer reports a changed understanding of what life is all about. The changes may be numerous and almost impossible to describe or explain.

Besides losing the fear of death, a person may also lose interest in financial or career success. "Getting ahead" may seem like an odd game that the person chooses not to play any more, even if it means giving up friendships. This can be hard on some families.

Becoming more loving is important to most near-death experiencers, though they may have difficulty explaining what they mean by that. They may seem to love everyone indiscriminately, with no personal favorites.

Religious observance may increase or lessen, but a deepened belief in God, or a "Higher Power," is almost certain. People say, "Before, I believed; now I know."

Some people find they have an increase in intuitive or psychic abilities. This is a common stage in Christian, Jewish, and other major religious traditions when an individual spends much time in deep prayer and meditation. If this becomes a problem, the IANDS  office can suggest a source of information.

I had one of these experiences, but no one told me I was in danger. Was my doctor lying to me?

Probably not. The "near-death experience" was named in 1975 by Dr. Raymond Moody to describe the clinical death experiences of the people in his book, Life After Life. However, although being close to death is a reliable "trigger", identical experiences happen under very different circumstances, even to people who are in no way ill. The best known are the experiences of saints and religious mystics. Deep prayer, meditation, and even mirror-gazing can produce events like near-death experiences, as can other kinds of altered states of consciousness.

When my mother was dying, we thought she was hallucinating, but what she described sounds like a near-death experience. Could this be true?

People who are dying often mention seeing a wonderful light or a landscape they want to enter. They may talk with people who are invisible to everyone else, or they may look radiant and at peace. Read the book by Maggie Callahan, Final Gifts, for more about "Deathbed visions."

What if I have had a near-death experience?

You are not alone, and you have not lost your mind. A near-death experience is an extraordinary experience, but it happens to normal people.

You may want to tell the world about your near-death experience, or you may want to think about it, possibly for a long time, before trying to say anything. You will probably feel frustrated trying to find words to describe it, and fearful that no one else will understand. If you have difficulty with aftereffects, try reading P.M.H. Atwater's books, Coming Back to Life, or Beyond the Light.

When you first decide to talk about the experience, choose a person who is a good listener, someone with whom you are comfortable. Should they have difficulty with the idea, reading Dr. Raymond Moody's book, Life After Life, may help them feel more comfortable with near-death experiences. If you want to talk with another near-death experiencer, or someone who will not need too many explanations, contact IANDS for the name of someone reliable.

What if someone I know has had a near-death experience?

It is as if the other person has returned from a country you have never visited and cannot even imagine. The best thing you can do is listen. Simply being with the person and letting him talk will be more helpful than you may think; you are not expected to have answers or opinions. There are many interpretations of near-death experiences, and only the individual can decide the meaning of his/her particular experience.

A near-death experience is not a psychotic episode, but its effects are often powerful. Some people adjust easily afterwards, while others find the experience deeply troubling or are unable to get on with daily life. In these cases, professional help may be needed for the person to get back on track. If you need help finding a qualified therapist, IANDS may be able to suggest ways of finding someone trustworthy.

Where can I get more information?

Read the reports of the many near-death experiences and visit the IANDS website. A listing of books available on the subject is also available here. Check your local library, or bookstore, for the title of autobiographical accounts of near-death experiences as well as for other book titles. Also, look for magazine articles.

There are IANDS-affiliated groups all over the world that meet regularly to offer information and support about near-death experiences, with more groups forming. Some are open to near-death experiencers only; others welcome the public. Ask the IANDS office whether there is a group near you. For members living where there is no group, IANDS networking service connects near-death experiencers and people with similar interests.

Also, visit my Questions and Answers page.