Psychophysiologic correlates of unconsciousness and near-death experiences.
The Journal of near-death studies January 1, 1997 James E. Whinnery 60 citations
A pattern of psychophysiologic symptoms called the G-LOC syndrome, observed across nearly 1000 episodes of acceleration-induced loss of consciousness in healthy individuals, may help identify which features of near-death experiences (NDEs) are unique to dying. The author proposes a classification scheme for NDEs based on neurologic states and transitions caused by altered blood flow to the nervous system. Consciousness and unconsciousness are framed as a neurobiologic balance between survival in the external environment and protection from internal ischemic threat. Studying G-LOC episodes is thus valuable for understanding both loss of consciousness and the NDE.