Strubelt, S., & Maas, U. (2008). The near-death experience: A cerebellar method to protect body and soul - Lessons from the Iboga healing ceremony in Gabon Alternative Therapies, 14(1) 30-34.

Abstract: The root bark of the Iboga shrub (Tabernanthe iboga) is used in Gabon, Africa, to induce a near-death experience for spiritual and psychological purposes. The pharmacology of ibogaine, a psychoactive indole alkaloid extracted from the bark, has been investigated extensively because of its putative qualities to treat addiction. This review of these studies and neuroscientific approaches to the near-death experience compared with field studies of traditional African rituals has generated new insights into the neurological correlates and the psychological effects and after-effects of the near-death experience. Ibogaine stimulates the cerebellar fastigial nucleus in the same manner as ischemia and leads to a medium-term protection of the brain against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. At the same time, it induces changes in the autonomic nervous and the cardiovascular systems, which aid in the survival of ischemia: iboga intake and ischemia both lead to slowing of electroencephalogram (EEG) activity (dominance of theta and delta waves), a stimulation of the limbic system, and a dominance of a phylogenetically older branch of the vagus nerve, originating in the dorsal motor nucleus, which lowers the metabolic rate of the body. In conclusion, the near-death experience seems to be the result of a dominance of phylogenetically and ontogenetically old neurological structures and brain waves, which are allowed to show their (para)psychological abilities in the absence of cortical dominance. If parts of the neocortex are still active and permit observation and memory performance, the experience can be integrated within the personality. The newly learned peaceful state of vagal and subcortical dominance can be actively self-induced. Implications of this model for alternative healing are discussed.

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Topics:
Aftereffects of NDEs—Sense of Self, Psychological and Physical
Aftereffects of NDEs NOS
Counseling NDErs
Cross-Cultural NDEs (outside the U.S.)—non-Western
Explanations of NDEs—Physiological, Neurological, Brain
Healing and NDEs—Psychological
Psychopharmacology and NDEs NOS
Spirituality and NDEs

Tart, C. T. (2007). Commentary on "Does paranormal perception occur in near-death experiences?" Journal of Near-Death Studies, 25(4) 251-256.

Abstract: In this commentary, Charles Tart critiques Keith Augustine's deconstruction of Pam Reynolds's near-death experience (NDE) while undergoing cerebral aneurysm surgery using the hypothermic cardiac arrest ("standstill") procedure. However, after drafting this initial response to Augustine's paper, family medical problems prevented Tart from researching and polishing his comments as thoroughly as he would have wished. He has approved our publication of this commentary but regrets that it is not up to his usual standards.

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Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Characteristics of NDEs—Sensory, Sound, Hearing
Circumstances of NDEs—Time Elapse
Interpretations of NDEs
Veridical Perception during NDEs

van der Sluijs, M. (2009). Three Ancient Reports of Near-Death Experiences: Bremmer Revisited Journal of Near-Death Studies, 27(4) 223-253.

Abstract: In the modern literature, the so-called ‘vision of Er,’ told by Plato, and the ‘vision of Thespesius,’ recorded by Plutarch, have sometimes been cited as examples of ancient near-death experiences (NDEs). However, in a recent study, classicist Jan Bremmer (2002) impugned this interpretation. In this article, I offer a fresh analysis of these two texts that challenges Bremmer’s stance and that vindicates the similarity between the ancient reports and modern NDEs. The vision of Er emerges as the oldest known direct account of an NDE. I add to these cases Plutarch’s description of the ‘vision of Timarchus’ as an example of an ancient NDE provoked by extreme isolation. Comparison of these reports of NDEs from antiquity with modern analogues suggests a few additional characteristic traits of NDEs.

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Link: http://www.iands.org

Topics:
Historical Perspectives on NDEs
Literature, Fictional

van Lommel, P. (2006). Near-death experience, consciousness, and the brain: A new concept about the continuity of our consciousness based on recent scientific research on near-death experience in survivors of cardiac arrest World Futures, 62(1/2) 134-151.

Abstract: In this article first some general aspects of near-death experience will be discussed, followed by questions about consciousness and its relation to brain function. Details will be described from our prospective study on near-death experience in survivors of cardiac arrest in the Netherlands, which was published in the Lancet in 2001. In this study it could not be shown that physiological, psychological, or pharmacological factors caused these experiences after cardiac arrest. Neurophysiology in cardiac arrest and in a normal functioning brain will be explained. Finally, implications for consciousness studies will be discussed, and how it could be possible to explain the continuity of our consciousness. Scientific study of NDE pushes us to the limits of our medical and neurophysiologic ideas about the range of human consciousness and mind–brain relation.

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Topics:
Altered States and NDEs
Circumstances of NDEs—Illness
Explanations of NDEs—Physiological, Neurological, Brain
Explanations of NDEs NOS
Mental Processes and NDEs
Science and NDEs

van Lommel, P. (2011). Near-death experiences: The experience of the self as real and not as an illusion Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1234() 19-28.

Abstract: Because the publication of several prospective studies on near-death experience (NDE) in survivors of cardiac arrest have shown strikingly similar results and conclusions, the phenomenon of the NDE can no longer be scientifically ignored. The NDE is an authentic experience that cannot be simply reduced to imagination, fear of death, hallucination, psychosis, the use of drugs, or oxygen deficiency. Patients appear to be permanently changed by an NDE during a cardiac arrest of only some minutes’ duration. It is a scientific challenge to discuss new hypotheses that could explain the possibility of a clear and enhanced consciousness—with memories, self-identity, cognition, and emotions—during a period of apparent coma. The current materialistic view of the relationship between consciousness and the brain, as held by most physicians, philosophers, and psychologists, seems to be too restricted for a proper understanding of this phenomenon. There are good reasons to assume that our consciousness, with the continuous experience of self, does not always coincide with the functioning of our brain: enhanced or nonlocal consciousness, with unaltered self-identity, apparently can be experienced independently from the lifeless body. People are convinced that the self they experienced during their NDE is a reality and not an illusion.

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Topics:
Altered States and NDEs
Characteristics of NDEs—Autoscopy, Out-of-Body
Characteristics of NDEs—Encountering Beings, Deceased or Living
Characteristics of NDEs—Life Review
Characteristics of NDEs—Return NOS
Explanations of NDEs—Physiological, Neurological, Brain
Interpretations of NDEs
Mental Processes and NDEs
Science and NDEs
Theories, NDE-Related, Psychological NOS
Veridical Perception during NDEs