Continuous autonomic nervous system assessment using heart rate variability methodology during near-death and mystical experiences
Calixto Machado, Andrew B. Newberg, Yanín Machado, Mauricio Chinchilla, Deb Klesel, Robert Hesse
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) November 30, 2022 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7786042 via OpenAlex
Summary
The study demonstrated the effectiveness of continuous electroencephalogram (CEEG) monitoring to assess the autonomic nervous system (ANS) through heart rate variability (HRV) while participants recalled their near-death experiences (NDEs) and spiritual or mystical experiences (SCEs). It found significant functional changes in the ANS associated with these recollections, suggesting that both NDEs and SCEs impact heart rate and emotional responses.
Study at a glance
| Key finding | Significant functional changes in the autonomic nervous system were observed when recalling near-death and mystical experiences. |
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Abstract
Introduction: We have recently recorded, processed, and published preliminary research (Part I) on brain activity by quantitative electroencephalography (EEG) tomography (QEEGt), comparing separate subjects remembering their near-death experiences (NDEs) and mystical experiences (SCE). Several reports have affirmed that NDE and SCE are related to important functional changes in the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamus regulate pulse, blood pressure, breathing, and arousal in response to emotional cues. When activated, the sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for emergency actions by controlling the glands of the endocrine system. Heart rate variability (HRV) refers to how much an individual's heart rate (HR) varies, and it is a powerful method to assess the ANS. Several reports have affirmed that NDE and SCE are related to important functional changes in the ANS. We used the continuous EEG monitoring (CEEG) system to compare the memories of two groups with a NDE and a SCE. CEEG permits continuous electrocardiogram monitoring, allowing calculation of HR and HRV during SCE and NDE remembering. Hence, using HRV methodology, it is possible to assess the emotional effect of remembering NDE and SCE. Conclusion: We demonstrated the usefulness of using the CEEG methodology, which allows us to continuously assess the ANS through the HRV methodology, showing important significant functional changes in the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and comparing SCE and NDE.