Near-death experiences : scientific perspectives on stories of personaltruth / Raymond Romand, Günter Ehret ; edited by Steven Laureys.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Romand, R., author.

Ehret, Günter, author.

Contributor:

Laureys, Steven, editor.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Near-death experiences--Research.

Near-death experiences.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xii, 230 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2025.

Summary:

The phenomenon of near-death experiences (NDEs) has fascinated humanity for centuries but remains famously difficult to define and study. This book presents a unique source, integrating historical, clinical, psychological, and neuroscientific approaches toward a modern scientific understanding of NDEs. Featuring exciting clinical and experimental details about processes in dying brains, it examines the physiological and psychological underpinnings of this extraordinary phenomenon. Chapters offer science-based accounts of NDEs as a natural part of the human condition informed by our biology and the remarkable capacities of the brain. By proposing that the origin of NDEs can be found in the physiology-dependent mental processes of the experiencer as expressed in altered states of consciousness, this book provides up-to-date insights for psychologists, psychiatrists, neuroscientists, and philosophers alike.

Contents:

Cover

Half-title page

Title page

Copyright page

Epigraph

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

List of Abbreviations

General Introduction

Part I Consciousness

1.1 A Short Historical Survey Illuminating the Field before Modern Neuroscience

1.2 Consciousness in the Light of Recent Philosophy and Science

1.2.1 Philosophical Aspects

1.2.2 Is Consciousness Something Special to Humans?

1.2.2.1 Wakefulness

1.2.2.2 Animals without Awareness

1.2.2.3 Awareness: Being Aware of Something

1.2.2.4 Awareness: Subjective Experience or Knowledge of Being Aware of Something

1.2.2.5 Ontogenesis of Consciousness Related to Language

1.2.3 Approaches via Neuroscience

1.3 Neuroscience Models of the Nature of Consciousness

1.3.1 Neuro-functional Approaches

1.3.2 The Molecular Quantum Approach

1.3.3 Summary and Perspective

1.4 Consciousness in Medicine

1.4.1 Wakefulness

1.4.2 Clinical Syndromes with Altered States of Consciousness

1.4.2.1 Locked-In Syndrome

1.4.2.2 Minimally Conscious State

1.4.2.3 Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome or Vegetative State

1.4.2.4 Chronic Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome: Previously Called Permanent Vegetative State

1.4.2.5 Comatose State

1.4.3 Alive or Dead: Clinical Assessment

1.4.3.1 Clinical Death

1.4.3.2 Brain Death

1.4.4 Brain Physiology in the Progression of Brain Death

1.5 Conclusions of Part I

Part II Near-Death Experiences

2.1 History of the Term "Near-Death Experience"

2.2 A Short Historical Review of Observations of NDE-Like Phenomena

2.3 Deathbed Phenomena: Clarification of Terms

2.3.1 ELDVs: Reference to Psychology

2.3.2 DRSEs: Reference to Spirituality

2.3.3 NDEs: Reference to Life-after-Death Belief

2.3.4 Conclusions on Deathbed Phenomena

2.4 General Incidence of NDEs.

2.4.1 Contents of NDEs: Qualitative Observations

2.4.1.1 The Theme of the "Being of Light"

Indigenous North American Peoples and Greenlandic Inuit

Indigenous African Peoples

Indigenous Peoples of Oceania

USA and Europe

2.4.1.2 Summary of the Theme of the "Being of Light"

2.4.2 Contents of NDEs: Quantitative Observations

2.4.3 Conclusions about the Incidence of NDEs

2.5 Childhood and NDEs

2.5.1 The Recognition of NDEs in Children

2.5.2 NDEs of Children from Fetal to Preschool Ages

2.5.3 Conclusions

2.6 Aftereffects of NDEs in Affected Persons and in NDE Researchers

2.6.1 Transformation of Life Perspectives in NDErs

2.6.1.1 Positive and Neutral Aftereffects

Psychological Aftereffects

Physical Aftereffects

Spiritual Belief Aftereffects

Aftereffects Related to Social Life

Spiritual Transformations

2.6.1.2 Negative Feelings and Psychological Sequelae

2.6.1.3 Conclusions about Aftereffects on NDErs

2.6.2 Stagnation in NDE Research: The Unavailing Search for Proof of a Life after Death

2.6.2.1 Does Quantity Provide Proof?

2.6.2.2 Do Qualitative Arguments Provide Proof?

2.6.2.3 Does a Multidisciplinary Consensus Statement on Resuscitation Provide New Insights into NDE Studies?

2.6.2.4 Do Intellectual Arguments Provide Proof?

2.6.2.5 Conclusions about Stagnation in NDE Research

2.7 Control of Claims of Extraordinary Experiences

2.7.1 Pamela Reynolds

2.7.2 Eben Alexander

2.7.3 Maria Clark

2.7.4 Alex Malarkey

2.7.5 Other Stories

2.7.6 NDEs Experienced by Blind People

2.7.7 Studies and Health-Care Practice by Researchers

2.7.8 Conclusions

2.8 Paranormal Explanations of NDE-Like Perceptions

2.8.1 Belief Carries the Explanation

2.8.2 Credo Carries the Explanation

2.8.3 Conclusions

2.9 Experimental Observations That Mimic NDE Phenomenology.

2.9.1 Experimental Observations

2.9.1.1 Modifications of Blood or Air Supply to the Brain

2.9.1.2 Experimental Modifications of Brain Function in Fighter Pilots

2.9.1.3 Modifications of Brain Function by Anesthesia

2.9.1.4 Modifications of Brain Function by Drugs

2.9.1.5 Modifications of Brain Function from Epileptic Seizures

2.9.1.6 Modifications of Brain Function by Electric Stimulation

2.9.2 Waking or Lucid Dreams

2.9.3 Hallucinations

2.9.3.1 General Relationship between Hallucinations and NDEs

2.9.3.2 Visual Hallucinations and NDEs

2.9.3.3 Auditory Hallucinations and NDEs

2.9.4 Conclusions

2.10 Memories

2.10.1 General Introduction to Memories

2.10.2 How Reliable Are Memories?

2.10.3 Vivid and Realer than Real Memories

2.10.4 Two Types of NDErs in Relation to Memory

2.10.5 Memories of Facts and Illusions

2.10.6 Self-defining Memories

2.10.7 Conclusions

2.11 NDEs in Altered States of Consciousness: A Synthesis

2.11.1 Conclusions from Our Journey through the Literature

2.11.2 How May ASCs Relate to Dualism?

2.11.3 The Concept of Parsimony

2.11.4 Conclusions

2.12 Evaluation of Brain-Based Explanations for NDEs

2.12.1 Out-of-Body Experiences

2.12.1.1 Characterization of OBEs

2.12.1.2 Brain-Based Explanation of OBEs

2.12.1.3 How to Trick Yourself: Virtual Reality Settings can Generate OBEs

2.12.2 Near-Death Experiences Other than OBEs

2.12.2.1 Temporal Cortex and Limbic System Activation

2.12.2.2 Temporo-parietal Junction

2.12.3 Conclusions about the Ultimate Origin of NDEs/OBEs

2.13 Summary and Conclusions of Part II

2.13.1 Summary of Major Aspects of NDEs/OBEs and Their Occurrence

2.13.1.1 Reports of NDEs and OBEs

2.13.1.2 How Are NDEs and OBEs Defined?

2.13.1.3 Separability of the Self/Mind from the Body.

2.13.1.4 Clearness and Stability of NDEs

2.13.1.5 Effects of Drugs on Consciousness

2.13.1.6 Experiments That Mimic NDEs/OBEs

2.13.2 Conclusions

General Review and Conclusions

Epilogue

References

Index.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Sep 2025).

ISBN:

1-009-59440-0

1-009-59441-9

1-009-59443-5

OCLC:

1515138864