Near-Death Experiences

The idea of the supernaturally flavored “near-death experience” (shining lights, angels, cheerily waving, long-dead relatives and so on) is one that seems to have been gaining traction in recent years. And that’s no surprise; they make for a good story and their generally reassuring message is in line with much of modern “spirituality”. For my own part, I’ve always assumed that these brief visions of the afterlife were the result of oxygen starvation or, perhaps, the general jumbling of the brain (to use a thoroughly unscientific phrase) that might be expected in the event of a possibly terminal medical crisis.

Here via the Daily Telegraph is another explanation:

…scientists believe they have uncovered the secret behind so-called ‘near death experiences’. Rather than a religious experience, as many believe, researchers think that the phenomenon could be a simple trick of the mind, caused by a chemical reaction in the body. People with high levels of carbon dioxide in their bloodstream were more likely to experience the visions, they found.
Previous research suggests that very high levels of the gas can trigger hallucinations in some people. Many people who have had the experience say that they saw bright lights, a tunnel, or even deceased loved ones beckoning them.
Dr Zalika Klemenc-Ketis, from the University of Maribor, in Slovenia, who led the study, said: “Several theories explaining the mechanisms of near death experiences exist. “We found that in those patients who experienced the phenomenon, blood carbon dioxide levels were significantly higher than in those who did not”. “Some earlier studies also showed that inhaled carbon dioxide, used as a psychotherapeutic agent, could cause near death- like experiences.”

 
Interesting