Near-Death Experience - Essay Example

There is nothing supernatural about a near death experience. Discuss The concept of near death experiences has come around in frequent reports these days. It can happen anywhere and in normal daily surroundings that we see around us. And to understand why these experiences happen, most psychologists and neurosciences experts have been bringing together their studies of patients from different corners of the world. Many superstitions hold that there is a supernatural element to the near death experiences reported by such patients. While doctors refute them basing on wholesome clinical data, psychologists are trying hard to analyze enough so that they can find a connection between the occurrence of the experience and normal triggering agents or a supernatural connection, if any. Studies using both approaches have led to dark alleys wherein, neuroscience is the only concrete evidence available to man. We try and understand whether there is or there is not a supernatural element to the occurrence of near death experiences, basing on our study of different publications made on this topic. Are Numbers And Facts Confusing? Scientists and medical experts have always maintained that near death experiences result every time the sub-conscious mind becomes hyper active. There is no doubt that all the neural processes that help in generating the experience are triggered by the presence of an overactive sub-conscious. It has been reported that 30 out of 58 patients, that amounts to 51% of the subjects studied do not suffer any medical complicacies during their near death experiences (Mobbs & Watt, 2011, p.1). Therefore, the consciousness of being death notwithstanding, the near death experiences of most people is an extension of their otherwise sleeping sub-consciousness and not a real death scenario. In fact, the reason why most scientists are unanimous in their pronouncements is that patients are found to be completely aware of the fact that they are not death but are experiencing a journey out of the body. Chances are that the patients are aware of going into near death experiences even before they are unconscious, a condition that results almost as soon as the experience is over. Close medical study of patients while they are undergoing near death experiences have revealed such nuances. There is this one case wherein a patient went into a near death experience during a hypoglycemia episode. While he was under constant medical supervision, doctors noticed that the patient was in a sleep like state. However, rapid eye movement was present all throughout, confirming that the patient was alive and his senses were very much active. This state is akin to that we experience while dreaming, a state in which rapid eye movement is at its best. Doctors and psychologists could conclude that the near death experience that this patient experienced was accompanied by “the consolidation of memories, a process that may explain life reviews during near-death experiences (e.g. where the individual re-experiences or relives events from their life)” (Mobbs and Watt, 2011, p.1). This particular patient could easily recall the details of what he saw during the experience. This shows that almost every person who has gone through a near death experience has been actually dreaming too well about the memories and experiences that have been lying dormant in his or her mind. Let us now take into account the superstition that holds good in this context. Superstition has arisen only on the basis of what people who have undergone this experience and have come back citing what he or she has seen. Did you know that, “In one study, of those who had had a near death experience, 50% reported an awareness of being dead, 24% said that they had had an out-of-body experience, 31% remembered moving through a tunnel, and 32% reported meeting with deceased people” (Mobbs and Watt, 2011, p.1). Now, if this is to be considered is true, then supernatural fragments interwoven into near death experiences seem to be the most normal explanation of all the abnormalities. Basic Common Features In NDE (Near Death Experiences) Science does not believe that anything that is indiscernible by the human eye or understandable by the human mind is to be considered existent. The concept of “God” is one that has left many scientists looking for answers. Supernatural and paranormal occurrences keep the human race perplexed and near death experiences seems to be supernatural at times (Davidson, 2011). So are they really supernatural? A close look at the basic features of all near death experiences will reveal that the experiences shared by most patients are not really that supernatural. Out of the most common features of near death experiences recorded in all cases, the one mentioned above, which is, rapid eye movement is common in all cases. Also, the awareness that the person is having an out of body experience is definitely present in all people who have gone through the experience. Some have reported feelings of bliss and euphoria, while some have experienced feelings of fright and being in danger. It is found that “only 56% associated the experience with such positive emotions, and some even reported negative experiences.” (Mobbs and Watt, 2011, p. 1). Medically Explained : The Cotard Syndrome The patient actually feels that he or she is dead, when actually that is not the real case. This understanding of the phenomenon is best explained in the cases of Cotard Syndrome wherein patients are convinced that they are dead due to some illness and are walking through the corridors of heaven. This is a deliberate conviction that stems out of a small incident like and illness or depression. In most cases the Cotard Syndrome vanishes after a few weeks and is not found in patients after a few months (Mobbs & Watt, 2011, Pg 2). However, a study of the condition has revealed that the parietal cortex and parts of the frontal cortex of the brain is most active. Anatomical reasons notwithstanding, the reason of occurrence of the syndrome is still undetected. Most psychologists suggest that it is just a psychological reaction to the advanced condition of the disease that the patient is suffering from. The mental health of the patient is duly challenged during the disease and medication and results in the condition. Out of Body Travel Out of body experiences are those which leave most number of indicators of a supernatural connection. Some of the people who have undergone out of the body experiences have turned towards research of near death experiences. Out of body experiences have been quantized through elaborate questionnaires (Wilde, 2009, Pg 23) and therefore, led to different types of data flowing in, most of which had a mention of supernatural activity in them. One such person who underwent an emphatic near death experience and turned into a researcher investigating the cause behind such cases has described his meeting Jesus during the out of body journey. He has also mentioned that he could see his body lying on the bed. This is another common factor that people undergoing near death experiences, specifically those undergoing out of body experiences have in common (Mobbs & Watt, 2011, p. 2). The Hallucination Story It is indeed intriguing to know that hallucinations are rampant amongst even the most normal of people. And yes, hallucinations can be induced in a subject if electrical currents are applied in the correct intensities on the related portion of the brain, For example, when auditory pathways in the brain are stimulated, the person hallucinates about hearing voices. Similarly, when the fusiform face area is stimulated, the subject hallucinates of seeing a face (Shermer, 2013). “Intriguingly, electrical stimulation of the adjacent region of the angular gyrus can result in a sense of presence (i.e. someone is standing behind us). Macular degeneration (i.e. damage to the center, or macula, of the visual field) can also result in vivid visual hallucinations of ghosts and fairytale characters.” (Mobbs & Watt, 2011, p. 2). Thus, our understanding of near death experiences receives both positives and negatives from the studies generated so far. Somewhere down the line, there is a need to keep supernatural phenomenon separate from what is a result of differential activation of the brain. If out of body experiences are found to have supernatural theories then at the very outset, classifying out of body experiences as a near death experience is wrong. This calls into attention the new additions that were made to the list of attributes that NDEs are said to have (Moody, 1977). Near death experiences comprises of what erupts from the mind and the brain, with the sub-consciousness bringing in all vivid pictures of life and its memories for the people going through it, triggered by ill health or poor medical condition in the brain area. The physical changes are psychologically triggered. There is no supernatural connection to it. Hallucinations and specific syndromes result out of the condition. If out of body experiences were to be considered a supernatural phenomenon, then as we perceive of the whole discussion above, a lot of confusion regarding other near death experiences like hallucinations and Cotard syndrome being supernatural, can be negated. Treating out of body experiences as not a near death experience is justified since many people are able to induce it in themselves by will during the course of intense meditation. That leads us to another discussion. But with near death experiences, supernatural cross-links are definitely not justified. References Davidson, S. D. (2011). In Light of Love: The Near-Death Experience and the Bible. Journal Of Spirituality & Paranormal Studies, 34(4), 216-228. Mobbs, D. and Watt, C. (2011). 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, Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(10), 447-449. Moody, R. A. (1977). Reflections on life after life. St. Simon’s Island, GA: Mockingbird Books. Shermer, M. (2013). Why a Near-Death Experience Isn’t Proof of Heaven Scientific American, 308(4), 9. Wilde, D. D. (2009). The evolving self: finding meaning in near-death experiences using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 12(3), 223-239. Read More