Skip to content

Bruce Greyson

87 papers in the library · 3,781 citations · publishing 1977-2026

Papers

The Near-Death Experience Scale

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease June 1, 1983 Bruce Greyson 404 citations

A 16-item Near-Death Experience (NDE) Scale was developed from an initial pool of 80 manifestations, tested on 74 NDEs reported by knowledgeable subjects. The scale shows high internal consistency, split-half and test-retest reliability, correlates strongly with Ring's Weighted Core Experience Index, and distinguishes individuals with unequivocal NDE claims from those with qualified or questionable ones. It provides a reliable, valid, and easily administered tool to differentiate NDEs from organic brain syndromes and nonspecific stress responses, standardizing further research into NDE mechanisms and effects.

DOI: 10.1097/00005053-198306000-00007

Distressing Near-Death Experiences

Psychiatry February 1, 1992 Bruce Greyson, Nancy Evans Bush 226 citations

Most near-death experiences involve peace and joy, but some are partially or entirely frightening or hellish. Three distinct types of distressing near-death experiences exist: one that resembles peaceful experiences but is interpreted negatively, one involving a sense of nonexistence or eternal void, and one with graphic hellish landscapes and entities. The first type may eventually become peaceful. The psychological impact of these distressing experiences can be profound and long-lasting, but their antecedents and aftereffects remain poorly understood.

DOI: 10.1080/00332747.1992.11024583

Incidence and correlates of near-death experiences in a cardiac care unit

General Hospital Psychiatry July 1, 2003 Bruce Greyson 195 citations

Near-death experiences (NDEs) are reported by 10% of patients who survive cardiac arrest, compared with 1% of other cardiac patients. Those who report NDEs tend to be younger, more likely to have lost consciousness, more likely to report prior paranormal experiences, and show greater approach-oriented death acceptance. However, NDEs are not associated with objective proximity to death, degree of cardiac dysfunction, or coronary prognosis. The findings suggest NDEs are not simply a function of how close a patient is to dying.

DOI: 10.1016/s0163-8343(03)00042-2

Dissociation in people who have near-death experiences: out of their bodies or out of their minds?

The Lancet February 1, 2000 Bruce Greyson 149 citations

People who have had near-death experiences (NDEs) report more dissociative symptoms—where self-identity becomes detached from bodily sensation—than those who came close to death without having an NDE. Among those with NDEs, the depth of the experience correlated positively with dissociative symptoms, though symptom levels were much lower than in patients with pathological dissociative disorders. The pattern suggests a non-pathological dissociative response to stress rather than a psychiatric disorder.

DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(00)82013-9

Irreducible Mind: Toward a Psychology for the 21st Century

January 1, 2020 Edward F. Kelly, Emily Williams Kelly, Adam Crabtree et al. 145 citations

The author argues that mainstream cognitive science and neuroscience fail to account for the full range of human mental phenomena, particularly those involving agency, selfhood, and subjective experience. Drawing on examples from psychical research, automatism, and mysticism, the text contends that the mind cannot be reduced to brain processes and that a broader, more inclusive framework is needed to understand consciousness. The review critically examines the assumptions of physicalism and reductionism, suggesting that empirical evidence from anomalous experiences supports a non-reductive view of mind.

DOI: 10.13016/m2bzwk-ateo Mysticism Automatism medicine Genius Empirical psychology +10

Near-death experiences.

American Psychological Association eBooks October 27, 2004 Bruce Greyson 133 citations

Near-death experiences (NDEs) are profound events reported by people close to death, often involving feelings of peace, out-of-body sensations, life review, and encounters with nonphysical beings. Research has focused on their frequency, psychological and physiological links, and lasting aftereffects, which commonly include increased spirituality, compassion, altruism, appreciation of life, and belief in life after death. NDEs challenge the conventional view that consciousness is always tied to brain activity, and scientific debates about the mind–brain relationship must consider these findings.

DOI: 10.1037/10371-010

Consistency of near-death experience accounts over two decades: Are reports embellished over time?

Resuscitation February 8, 2007 Bruce Greyson 111 citations

Accounts of near-death experiences remain consistent over nearly two decades. In a study of 72 patients who had reported a near-death experience in the 1980s, their scores on the NDE scale did not change significantly when retested years later, and the time elapsed between the two tests did not correlate with any score changes. This indicates that such accounts, especially their positive emotional content, are not embellished over time and supports their reliability.

DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2006.10.013

Neurochemical models of near-death experiences: A large-scale study based on the semantic similarity of written reports.

Consciousness and cognition March 1, 2019 Charlotte Martial, Héléna Cassol, Vanessa Charland-Verville et al. 98 citations

Near-death experiences (NDEs) share consistent features across cultures, suggesting a common neurobiological basis. Analyzing semantic similarity between about 15,000 reports from 165 psychoactive substances and 625 NDE narratives, the NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine produced reports most similar to NDEs, followed by Salvia divinorum and serotonergic psychedelics like DMT. The similarity was driven by concepts of self and environmental consciousness, as well as therapeutic, ceremonial, and religious aspects of drug use. Ketamine may serve as a safe experimental model for NDE phenomenology, and endogenous NMDA antagonists might be released near death.

DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2019.01.011 Full text Phenomenology Near-death experience: nde Profound states Dissociatives: ketamine +3

A Rasch scaling validation of a ‘core’ near‐death experience

British Journal of Psychology May 1, 2004 Rense Lange, Bruce Greyson, James Houran 98 citations

A Rasch analysis of the Greyson Near-Death Experience (NDE) Scale shows that it measures a single, interval-level dimension in people reporting true NDEs. As NDE intensity increases, the experiences progress from peace and joy to mystical insights, and finally to awareness of events in other places or times. This pattern is consistent regardless of gender, age, or when the NDE occurred. True NDEs differ qualitatively and quantitatively from other groups' responses, particularly in the emphasis on paranormal or mystical elements. The findings suggest that some people may misinterpret other psychological states as NDEs, and that religious background may influence how these experiences are reported.

DOI: 10.1348/000712604773952403

Implications of near-death experiences for a postmaterialist psychology.

Psychology of Religion and Spirituality February 1, 2010 Bruce Greyson 94 citations

Classical physics, based on materialist reductionism, explained everyday mechanics but failed at high speeds or small scales, leading to quantum physics, which incorporates consciousness. Similarly, materialist psychology, modeled on classical physics, describes normal mental functioning but cannot account for mentation under extreme conditions like near-death experiences, where enhanced cognition and memory occur despite brain impairment. Near-death phenomena include accurate out-of-body perceptions and visions of deceased persons unknown to the experiencer. Such complex consciousness during cardiac arrest or general anesthesia, when normal brain function is absent, demands a psychology grounded in 21st-century quantum physics that includes consciousness, rather than 19th-century classical physics.

DOI: 10.1037/a0018548 Psychotherapist Psychoanalysis Social psychology

The Near-Death Experience as a Focus of Clinical Attention

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease May 1, 1997 Bruce Greyson 92 citations

Near-death experiences often lead to significant shifts in attitudes and behavior, sometimes causing psychosocial and psychospiritual difficulties. The DSM-IV includes a diagnostic label for religious or spiritual problems, originally intended to cover NDEs and their aftereffects. Four cases illustrate patients presenting with NDE-related issues, and the article reviews differential diagnosis and current treatment approaches. This diagnostic category helps distinguish NDEs from mental disorders and may encourage research into more effective treatments.

DOI: 10.1097/00005053-199705000-00007

NEAR‐DEATH EXPERIENCES AND SPIRITUALITY

Zygon® June 2, 2006 Bruce Greyson 91 citations

Near-death experiences (NDEs) often include a sense of separation from the body, encounters with religious figures, and a feeling of cosmic unity. Although prior religious belief does not predict NDEs, the depth of the experience is strongly linked to religious change afterward. Experiencers typically report decreased fear of death, increased empathy, a shift from ego-centered to other-centered consciousness, and a deepened spiritual outlook. These changes meet the definition of spiritual transformation: a dramatic shift in belief, attitude, and behavior. NDEs do not favor any particular religious tradition but foster general spiritual growth in individuals and society.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9744.2005.00745.x

Posttraumatic stress symptoms following near-death experiences.

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry January 1, 2001 Bruce Greyson 71 citations

People who report near-death experiences (NDEs) have more intrusive PTSD symptoms than those who came close to death without NDEs, but not more avoidance symptoms, suggesting a nonspecific stress response. Although dissociation typically increases vulnerability to PTSD, the positive affect that distinguishes NDEs from other dissociative experiences may reduce later PTSD symptoms.

DOI: 10.1037/0002-9432.71.3.368

The Near-Death Experience Content (NDE-C) scale: Development and psychometric validation

Consciousness and Cognition November 1, 2020 Charlotte Martial, Jessica Simon, Ninon Puttaert et al. 69 citations

Two scales for measuring near-death experiences (NDEs) were evaluated. The original NDE scale showed several weaknesses. A new 20-item Near-Death Experience Content (NDE-C) scale was developed and validated, revealing a five-factor structure covering relevant dimensions. The NDE-C scale demonstrated very good internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.85) and concurrent validity (correlations above 0.76). This new reliable scale should facilitate future research on NDEs.

DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2020.103049

Guidelines and standards for the study of death and recalled experiences of death––a multidisciplinary consensus statement and proposed future directions

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences February 18, 2022 Sam Parnia, Stephen G. Post, Matthew T. Lee et al. 68 citations

Advances in stem cell research, neuroscience, and resuscitation science have enabled scientific insights into what happens to the human brain in relation to death. Brain cells are more resilient to anoxia than previously assumed, becoming irreversibly damaged over hours to days postmortem. Resuscitation science has restored life to millions after cardiac arrest, and survivors describe a universal set of recollections related to death. This review examines death, recalled experiences during cardiac arrest, post-intensive care syndrome, and related phenomena, discussing potential mechanisms, ethical implications, and methodological considerations. It also addresses controversies in studying consciousness and recalled experiences of cardiac arrest and death in comatose subjects to standardize future research.

DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14740 Full text Consciousness Multidisciplinary approach Coma optics Relation database +11

Seeing Dead People Not Known to Have Died: “Peak in Darien” Experiences

Anthropology & Humanism November 21, 2010 Bruce Greyson 66 citations

Belief that consciousness may persist after death is partly driven by near-death experiences (NDEs) and deathbed visions—mystical experiences reported near death. Some NDEs, termed 'Peak in Darien' experiences, involve visions of deceased individuals whose death was unknown to the experiencer at the time. Such cases offer some of the most compelling evidence for the survival of consciousness beyond bodily death.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1548-1409.2010.01064.x Mysticism Vision Consciousness Sociology +5

Epistemological implications of near-death experiences and other non-ordinary mental expressions: Moving beyond the concept of altered state of consciousness

Medical Hypotheses April 11, 2015 Enrico Facco, Christian Agrillo, Bruce Greyson 61 citations

Near-death experiences (NDEs) are deep, universal altered states of consciousness with clear phenomenology and incidence, whose features challenge the dominant mechanist-reductionist view of mind as a byproduct of brain circuitry. This paradigm originated from Descartes' separation of mind and matter and the historical conflict between science and the Inquisition, which removed subjective mental properties from scientific inquiry. Twentieth-century physics moved beyond this classical paradigm, renewing scientific interest in mind. Modern NDE research has reopened debate on the mind-brain relationship and consciousness. The authors argue it is time to reappraise scientific interpretations of NDEs, their relationship with other altered states, and the concept of altered state itself, which appears ill-founded, suggesting a need for revision of conventional approaches to subjective phenomena and reflection on links between non-ordinary mental expressions.

DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2015.04.004

Reduced death threat in near-death experiencers

Death Studies November 1, 1992 Bruce Greyson 58 citations

People who have had a near-death experience (NDE) report significantly less fear of death than those who came close to death without an NDE or who never came close to death. The deeper the NDE, the lower the death threat. The study measured death threat using the Threat Index and depth of NDE with a quantitative scale. Self-actualization did not relate to having or deepening an NDE.

DOI: 10.1080/07481189208252596 Death anxiety Fear of death Cause of death Clinical psychology +5

The Psychodynamics of Near-Death Experiences

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease June 1, 1983 Bruce Greyson 58 citations

Near-death experiences (NDEs) are profound transcendental events that occur near death and can be understood on multiple levels, including neurophysiological and eschatological. A psychological analysis reveals meaningful psychodynamic causes and consequences. The article discusses several psychological mechanisms that overdetermine the prototypical NDE and addresses objections to psychological interpretations. Further research into the psychological aspects of NDEs may lead to clinically useful techniques for suicide prevention and for treating terminally ill and bereaved patients.

DOI: 10.1097/00005053-198306000-00008 Psychodynamics Psychology Psychoanalysis

Near‐Death Experiences and Attempted Suicide

Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior March 1, 1981 Bruce Greyson 55 citations

While attempted suicide generally increases the risk of later completed suicide, preliminary data and psychodynamic hypotheses suggest that serious suicide attempts followed by a transcendental near-death experience (NDE) may instead reduce subsequent overt suicide risk, even though NDEs can appear to romanticize death. The authors propose further studies on NDEs and their influence on suicidal ideation to better understand self-destructive urges and develop new suicide prevention strategies.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1943-278x.1981.tb00995.x Medical emergency Psychology Medicine

Near-Death Experiences and Spiritual Well-Being

Journal of Religion and Health April 30, 2013 Surbhi Khanna, Bruce Greyson 52 citations

People who have had near-death experiences report greater spiritual well-being than those who came close to death without such an experience. Among 224 individuals who had come close to death, depth of spiritual well-being was positively correlated with depth of the near-death experience. Spiritual well-being was measured using the Spiritual Well-Being Scale.

DOI: 10.1007/s10943-013-9723-0