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Near-Death Experiences (or NDEs) have become more common due to the advancements of the medical community. An NDE is exactly what it sounds like--when someone's heart, lungs, and/or brain stops working then begins functioning again.
People who claim to have had an NDE identify similar characteristics when describing the event. There is often a tunnel of light or the presence of others, sometimes even loved ones who've been long gone.
People report feeling a sense of inner peace and the sensation of floating. NDEs are similar to out-of-body experiences in that the person sees him or herself from a 360-degree perspective. Another common element of the NDE is the physical barrier between life and death (often in the form of a fence or field), and the choice of which direction to go.
Though accounts of the afterlife glimpsed through NDEs have long been criticized by the general public, the effects of a near-death experience can drastically change an individual. These changes include:
- Being more loving and empathetic toward others
- Spending more time with family and friends
- Valuing relationships more
- Being more accepting and understanding of others
- Having a sense of meaning or purpose in life
- Increased interest in spirituality or religion
- Decrease in fear of death
- Stronger belief in life after death
- Wanting to live life "to its fullest"
To date there have been numerous studies of NDEs, and while explanations like genetic memory and cerebral hypoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain) have been offered, several members of the scientific community--not to mention others--place their bets on God or some other supernatural force. In other words, it's a mystery...
