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Woollacott M. Near-death experience: memory recovery during hypnosis. Explore (NY) 2024; 20:103036. [PMID: 39096700 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2024.103036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Increasing numbers of research studies have offered evidence regarding awareness of verified events during near-death experiences (NDEs) occurring during cardiac arrest and severely impaired brain function. The prevalence of patients reporting core NDEs under these conditions is reported as 10-12 %. One question that is often asked is why this percentage is low. Though it may be hypothesized that NDEs are limited to this low percentage of patients, it is also possible that more patients experience an NDE, but that memory is impaired sufficiently such that the NDE is not recalled. In this article I present a detailed and extensively verified case study of a woman, Stephanie Arnold, who experienced an NDE during the birth of her second child when she was 41 years old. The data provide evidence that supports the hypotheses 1) that during cardiac arrest an NDE may occur, but not be remembered until hypnotic regression therapy reveals extensive details of the events that could not have been perceived with the five senses, both in the operating room and elsewhere during resuscitation. 2) that there may also be pre-cognition of the events leading to the cardiac arrest, reported in clear detail, and 3) that NDEs lead to a fundamental transformation in an individual's understanding of the nature of consciousness, their quest for meaning and purpose, their concern for others, and their appreciation of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjorie Woollacott
- Institute of Neuroscience and Dept. of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, Eugene 97403, OR, United States.
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2
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Romand R, Ehret G. Neuro-functional modeling of near-death experiences in contexts of altered states of consciousness. Front Psychol 2023; 13:846159. [PMID: 36743633 PMCID: PMC9891231 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.846159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Near-death experiences (NDEs) including out-of-body experiences (OBEs) have been fascinating phenomena of perception both for affected persons and for communities in science and medicine. Modern progress in the recording of changing brain functions during the time between clinical death and brain death opened the perspective to address and understand the generation of NDEs in brain states of altered consciousness. Changes of consciousness can experimentally be induced in well-controlled clinical or laboratory settings. Reports of the persons having experienced the changes can inform about the similarity of the experiences with those from original NDEs. Thus, we collected neuro-functional models of NDEs including OBEs with experimental backgrounds of drug consumption, epilepsy, brain stimulation, and ischemic stress, and included so far largely unappreciated data from fighter pilot tests under gravitational stress generating cephalic nervous system ischemia. Since we found a large overlap of NDE themes or topics from original NDE reports with those from neuro-functional NDE models, we can state that, collectively, the models offer scientifically appropriate causal explanations for the occurrence of NDEs. The generation of OBEs, one of the NDE themes, can be localized in the temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) of the brain, a multimodal association area. The evaluated literature suggests that NDEs may emerge as hallucination-like phenomena from a brain in altered states of consciousness (ASCs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Romand
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Günter Ehret
- Institute of Neurobiology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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Near birth experience: An exploratory study on the communication experiences with a hypothetical prenatal consciousness. Explore (NY) 2022:S1550-8307(22)00207-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2022.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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West RL, Otto Q, Parnia S, Soar J. A proposed classification for CPR-related cognitive activity, consciousness, awareness and recall. Resuscitation 2021; 165:83-84. [PMID: 34146621 DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2021.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L West
- Anaesthetics Department, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Quentin Otto
- Anaesthetics Department, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Sam Parnia
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York City, USA
| | - Jasmeet Soar
- Anaesthetics Department, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK.
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Pan CX, Thomson K, Costa BA, Morris J. Questioning Capacity in an Elderly Jamaican Man with Terminal Cancer Exhibiting Near-Death Awareness: A Case Report and Review of Literature. J Palliat Med 2021; 24:1413-1417. [PMID: 33970707 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2020.0785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Near-death awareness (NDA) refers to visions and dreams commonly experienced by terminally ill individuals within months to hours before death. Methods: A case report of a 68-year-old Jamaican male diagnosed with advanced cholangiocarcinoma, who experienced visions of his deceased mother during hospitalization. Results: This article discusses how to differentiate NDA from delirium, core components for determining decisional capacity, and how clinicians can use a cultural guide to optimize patient-centered care. Conclusion: Improved recognition of NDA may promote cultural humility/competency and help to differentiate NDA from an underlying medical/psychiatric condition. It may assist the clinician in understanding the significance of NDA and the comfort and meaning these experiences may hold for both the individual and their family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia X Pan
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Care Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, Flushing, New York, USA
| | - Kelly Thomson
- Division of General Internal Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, Flushing, New York, USA
| | - Bruno A Costa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Walter Cantidio University Hospital, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Jane Morris
- Department of Internal Medicine, Walter Cantidio University Hospital, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
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Nourkova VV. Compressed Life Review: Extreme Manifestation of Autobiographical Memory in Eye-Tracker. Behav Sci (Basel) 2020; 10:E60. [PMID: 32110854 PMCID: PMC7139868 DOI: 10.3390/bs10030060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The compressed life review (CLR) is a mnemonic illusion of having "your entire life flashing before your eyes". This research was guided by concerns over the retrospective methodology used in CLR studies. To depart from this methodology, I considered the long-term working memory (WM), "concentric", and "activation-based" models of memory. A novel theoretically rooted laboratory-based experimental technique aimed to elicit the CLR-like experience with no risk to healthy participants was developed. It consists of listening to superimposed audio recordings of previously trained verbal cues to an individually composed set of self-defining memories (SDMs). The technique evoked a self-reported CLR-like experience in 10 out of 20 participants. A significant similarity in eye movement patterns between a single SDM condition and a choir of SDM conditions in self-reported CLR experiencers was confirmed. In both conditions, stimuli caused relative visual immobilization, in contrast to listening to a single neutral phrase, and a choir of neutral phrases that led to active visual exploration. The data suggest that CLR-like phenomenology may be successfully induced by triggering short-term access to the verbally cued SDMs and may be associated with specific patterns of visual activity that are not reportedly involved with deliberate autobiographical retrieval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika V Nourkova
- Department of psychology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 125009, Russia
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Peinkhofer C, Dreier JP, Kondziella D. Semiology and Mechanisms of Near-Death Experiences. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2019; 19:62. [PMID: 31352520 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-019-0983-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Near-death experiences (NDEs) are conscious perceptual experiences, including self-related emotional, spiritual, and mystical experiences, occurring in close encounters with death or in non-life-threatening situations. The origin of NDEs remains unknown. Here, we review recent advances in the understanding of NDE semiology and pathophysiology. RECENT FINDINGS Recent prospective studies confirm that NDEs reflect a spectrum of highly distinctive memories which are associated with negative or positive emotions and can be influenced by the nature of the causal event, but the temporal sequence with which these images unfold is variable. Some drugs, notably ketamine, may lead to experiences that are similar or even identical to NDEs. New models extend previous neural network theories and include aspects of evolutionary and quantum theories. Although the factual existence of NDEs is no longer doubted and the semiology well-described, a pathophysiological model that includes all aspects of NDEs is still lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costanza Peinkhofer
- Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Medical Faculty, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Jens P Dreier
- Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Einstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Kondziella
- Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Technology and Science, Trondheim, Norway. .,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Craffert PF. Making Sense of Near-Death Experience Research: Circumstance Specific Alterations of Consciousness. ANTHROPOLOGY OF CONSCIOUSNESS 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/anoc.12111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Abstract
Companion animal euthanasia is of great emotional, social, ethical, and medical significance because of the strong bond between pets and their owners. Few studies exist quantifying adverse events during and after euthanasia. Such events have profound effects on pet owners, veterinary professionals and veterinary patients. Best practices or standards of care have yet to be established. Companion animal euthanasia warrants further rigorous investigation regarding current veterinary medical practices due to its significant, complex, and far-reaching effects. Literature evaluating human euthanasia and assisted death in countries where such practices are legal can be a useful area of investigation and collaborative inquiry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth Marchitelli
- 4 Paws Farewell, Mobile Pet Hospice, Palliative Care and Home Euthanasia, Asheville, NC 28806, USA.
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Royse D, Badger K. Near-death experiences, posttraumatic growth, and life satisfaction among burn survivors. SOCIAL WORK IN HEALTH CARE 2017; 56:155-168. [PMID: 28067605 DOI: 10.1080/00981389.2016.1265627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Survivors of large burns may face positive and negative psychological after-effects from close-to-death injuries. This study is the first to examine their near-death experiences (NDEs) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) and life satisfaction afterwards. With an available sample of 92 burn survivors, half met the criteria for an NDE using an objective scale. Those who indicated religion was a source of strength and comfort had high scores on life satisfaction, PTG, and the NDE Scale. Individuals with larger burns reported greater PTG than those with smaller total body surface area burned (TBSA). There were no significant differences on life satisfaction, PTG, or NDEs when examined by gender or years since the burn injury. Elements of the NDE most frequently reported were: An altered sense of time, a sense of being out of the physical body, a feeling of peace, vivid sensations, and sense of being in an "other worldly" environment. Social workers and other health providers need to be comfortable helping burn survivors discuss any NDEs and process these through survivors' spirituality and religious belief systems as they recover.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Royse
- a College of Social Work , University of Kentucky , Lexington , Kentucky , USA
| | - Karen Badger
- a College of Social Work , University of Kentucky , Lexington , Kentucky , USA
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Dalle Ave AL, Bernat JL. Donation after brain circulation determination of death. BMC Med Ethics 2017; 18:15. [PMID: 28228145 PMCID: PMC5322624 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-017-0173-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The fundamental determinant of death in donation after circulatory determination of death is the cessation of brain circulation and function. We therefore propose the term donation after brain circulation determination of death [DBCDD]. Results In DBCDD, death is determined when the cessation of circulatory function is permanent but before it is irreversible, consistent with medical standards of death determination outside the context of organ donation. Safeguards to prevent error include that: 1] the possibility of auto-resuscitation has elapsed; 2] no brain circulation may resume after the determination of death; 3] complete circulatory cessation is verified; and 4] the cessation of brain function is permanent and complete. Death should be determined by the confirmation of the cessation of systemic circulation; the use of brain death tests is invalid and unnecessary. Because this concept differs from current standards, consensus should be sought among stakeholders. The patient or surrogate should provide informed consent for organ donation by understanding the basis of the declaration of death. Conclusion In cases of circulatory cessation, such as occurs in DBCDD, death can be defined as the permanent cessation of brain functions, determined by the permanent cessation of brain circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne L Dalle Ave
- Ethics Unit, University hospital of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 21, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - James L Bernat
- Neurology Department, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA
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Parnia S. Understanding the cognitive experience of death and the near-death experience. QJM 2017; 110:67-69. [PMID: 28100825 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcw185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Katz J, Saadon-Grosman N, Arzy S. The life review experience: Qualitative and quantitative characteristics. Conscious Cogn 2017; 48:76-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2016.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Rady MY, Verheijde JL. Neuroscience and awareness in the dying human brain: Implications for organ donation practices. J Crit Care 2016; 34:121-3. [PMID: 27288623 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2016.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Consciousness has 2 components: wakefulness (arousal) and awareness (perception of the self and the external environment). Functional neuroimaging has identified 2 distinctive functional networks that mediate external awareness of the surrounding environment and internal awareness of the self. Recent studies suggest that awareness is not always associated with wakefulness. There is little clinical research that has specifically focused on determining awareness in the dying phase, after the cessation of systemic circulation. Pana et al (J Crit Care, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrc.2016.04.001) concluded from a retrospective analysis of published human and animal studies that the cessation of clinical brain function and spontaneous electroencephalography activity occurred within 30 seconds of circulatory arrest. They inferred from this that a 5-minute period of cessation of circulation constitutes a valid indicator that awareness has ceased. This aligns with the 5-minute no-touch time after the loss of arterial pulse, the current circulatory standard of death determination in non-heart-beating organ donation. We argue that the capacity for awareness may not be irreversibly lost after a relatively brief period of cessation of systemic circulation, and outline empirical data in support of the claim that awareness without wakefulness may be present. Obviously, if correct, this will have practical and ethical implications on organ donation practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Y Rady
- Department of Critical Care, Mayo Clinic Hospital, Phoenix, AZ.
| | - Joseph L Verheijde
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ.
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Reply letter to: Letter to the editor Parnia, Sam et al. AWARE--Awareness during resuscitation--A prospective study. Resuscitation 2015; 97:e15. [PMID: 26455394 DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2015.09.397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Rady MY, Verheijde JL. The Safety of Terminal Withdrawal of Mechanical Ventilation in End-of-Life Care: Unanswered Questions. J Palliat Med 2015; 18:908-9. [PMID: 26393788 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2015.0248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Y Rady
- 1 Department of Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic Hospital , Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Joseph L Verheijde
- 2 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic Hospital , Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona
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