Near-Death States Reported in a Sample of 50 Misusers
Ornella Corazza, Fabrizio Schifano
Substance Use & Misuse March 1, 2010 DOI: 10.3109/10826080903565321 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractRecreational ketamine use may trigger experiences resembling near-death experiences (NDEs). In a sample of 50 ketamine misusers who scored at least 7 on the Greyson NDE Scale, 90% reported altered time perception, 88% felt detached from their own body, and 76% experienced peace or joy. Most NDEs occurred during the first few uses, and participants reported an average lifetime intake of 140 occasions. The sample was self-selected, nonrandomized, and small, but the findings suggest a link between recreational ketamine and NDE-like states.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 50 |
| Population | Previous ketamine misusers who reported a ketamine-related near-death experience |
| Topics | Cannabis Ketamine MDMA |
| Keywords | Concordance Psychiatry |
| Citations | 43 |
| Key finding | Recreational ketamine use may be associated with near-death-related states, with the most common features being altered time perception, out-of-body sensations, and peace or joy. |
Abstract
Increase in recreational ketamine use may be a cause for concern. We aimed here at assessing, in a sample of ketamine misusers, concordance between the typical near-death experience (NDE) features and the on-drug psychoactive effects the subjects experienced. In 2003-2005, a sample of previous ketamine misusers recollecting a ketamine-related NDE were recruited through snowballing and screened with the means of the Greyson NDE Scale; 125 participants made an initial contact with the researcher and 50 reported a minimum score of seven at the "Greyson NDE Scale". Interviewees were in the range 21-66 years old; 27 participants (54%) were educated at BA level, 18 (36%) had an MSc, and 5 (10%) a PhD. Eight (16%) interviewees had a definite religious background. An average lifetime ketamine intake of 140 occasions was reported by the interviewees, who typically presented with a polydrug, including cannabis and MDMA/ecstasy, misuse history. In 45 (90%) cases, the NDE occurred during the first few occasions of intake. Most frequent features of reported NDE states included: altered perception of time (90%), strong sense of detaching from own physical body (88%), and a sense of peace/joy (76% of subjects). Although results here described were elicited from a self-selected, nonrandomized, limited size sample of misusers, we suggest that recreational ketamine intake may be associated with occurrence of near-death related states.