Consciousness and the Dying Brain.
Anesthesiology – June 01, 2024
Source: PubMed
Summary
Near-death experiences (NDEs) occur in 10 to 20% of patients who undergo cardiac arrest, often involving perceptions of light and life recall. Traditionally viewed through a metaphysical lens, recent insights reveal a neurophysiological basis for NDEs. Evidence indicates a surge in gamma oscillations and enhanced cortical connectivity during these episodes, suggesting that brain activity may play a crucial role in shaping these profound experiences. Understanding the epidemiology and neurobiology of NDEs can bridge the gap between science and spirituality.
Abstract
The near-death experience has been reported since antiquity and is often characterized by the perception of light, interactions with other entities, and life recall. Near-death experiences can occur in a variety of situations, but they have been studied systematically after in-hospital cardiac arrest, with an incidence of 10 to 20%. Long attributed to metaphysical or supernatural causes, there have been recent advances in understanding the neurophysiologic basis of this unique category of conscious experience. This article reviews the epidemiology and neurobiology of near-death experiences, with a focus on clinical and laboratory evidence for a surge of neurophysiologic gamma oscillations and cortical connectivity after cardiac and respiratory arrest.