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Near-death experience

Wikipedia contributors · 2024 · Wikipedia

Spiritual Evidence Map/Last updated May 10, 2026/Claims v1.0.0-provisional/Sources v1.0.0/Scores provisional

Summary

Overview of NDE phenomenology, the prospective hospital studies (van Lommel, Parnia AWARE), and the major neurophysiological hypotheses (anoxia, hypercapnia, REM intrusion, surge activity).

Why it matters here

General reference that lays out the main neurophysiological explanations alongside the survivalist interpretations.

Linked claims

Evidence score 5/10

Hypoxia and neurochemistry explain NDEs

Hypoxia, hypercarbia, REM intrusion, endogenous DMT, and ketamine models reproduce many NDE features. Veridical cases resist the model.

Related evidence hubs

Topic hub

Survival & Afterlife

Evidence around dying, near-death experience, and what (if anything) continues.

Evidence pillar

Skeptical frameworks

Cryptomnesia, anoxia models, cold reading. Counter-anchors.

Evidence pillar

Near-death experiences

Structured experiences during cardiac arrest and crisis.