There is nothing paranormal about near-death experiences: How neuroscience can explain seeing bright lights, meeting the dead, or being convinced you are one of them
Dean Mobbs, Caroline Watt · 2011 · Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(10), 447-449
Summary
Short neuroscience review arguing that major NDE features can be explained by ordinary brain mechanisms, including REM intrusion, abnormal body representation, and altered visual processing.
Why it matters here
A concise, mainstream skeptical anchor for NDE interpretation pages; especially useful paired with replies from NDE researchers.
Editorial note
Useful as a skeptical map of mechanisms, but it does not by itself resolve the strongest veridical-awareness or prospective-study questions.
Linked claims
Hypoxia, hypercarbia, REM intrusion, endogenous DMT, and ketamine models reproduce many NDE features. Veridical cases resist the model.
A handful of veridical NDE cases are striking. The leap from 'unexplained by current models' to 'proof of afterlife' is large.
A consistent core experience — peace, light, life review, OBE — reported across cultures and prospective hospital studies.
Related evidence hubs
Evidence around dying, near-death experience, and what (if anything) continues.
Cryptomnesia, anoxia models, cold reading. Counter-anchors.
Structured experiences during cardiac arrest and crisis.
Whether anything of mind continues.
The nature of subjective experience.