Near-death experiences, or NDEs, are profound personal events occurring at the boundary between life and death. They’re experienced by people close to death. And they can change a person’s whole life in their aftermath.
Millions of people around the world have reported similar experiences, strongly suggesting that near-death experiences are real, shared phenomena. They’ve been reported throughout human history and across all cultures. They include features like tunnels of light, encounters with lost loved ones or spiritual beings, out-of-body experiences, and more.
People who were clinically dead, or came close to dying, have reported near-death experiences. People describe these experiences in remarkably consistent terms, suggesting a shared underlying phenomenon.
For many, near-death experiences provide comfort, insight, and a new perspective on both life and death. Having an NDE can change a person’s entire outlook on the world around them, offering them a renewed sense of purpose and a fresh perspective on life.
Near-death experiences raise questions the scientific community has only just begun to explore the answers to. What causes a near-death experience? Why are they so vivid, unlike hallucinations? What can NDEs teach us about the human mind, mental health, or what waits for us beyond?
The International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) is an educational nonprofit devoted to unraveling the mysteries of near-death experiences and related phenomena. We research NDEs, help guide experiencers toward compassionate support, and work tirelessly toward educating the public about NDEs as well.
Through all of these efforts, we can stop the stigmas experiencers face and normalize discussions about these life-changing events. And one day, we may unlock the secrets of near-death experiences and learn what they truly mean.
Read more: What is a near-death experience or ‘NDE’?
The Common Characteristics of NDEs
While no two near-death experiences are exactly identical, they do share a number of fascinating common characteristics. And these shared traits have been instrumental in studying NDEs for more than fifty years.
Near-death experiences often include an out-of-body experience, or “OBE”—a perception of your consciousness being separated from your physical body. Some experiencers have reported watching their own medical resuscitation efforts or their surgeries. And some people have even reported eavesdropping on conversations, accurately reporting what was said in different rooms while unconscious elsewhere.
NDEs also include tunnels of light, or a bright light at the end of a dark tunnel. And they typically include encounters with one or more deceased loved ones—sometimes even their deceased pets. Many experiencers describe meeting spiritual beings, religious figures, or beings they don’t recognize.
Near-death experiences also typically involve a life review, where the experiencer relives moments from their life, sometimes from the perspectives of others.
Near-death experiences are described as incredibly vivid, detailed, and real. In fact, some experiencers say their NDEs were more real to them than the mortal world.
Read more: The characteristics of a near-death experience
What causes near-death experiences?
There are countless medical, psychological, spiritual, and even paranormal theories regarding what causes near-death experiences. But in truth, we can’t say with any certainty what specifically causes NDEs.
Here’s what we do know: NDEs occur after a person has been declared clinically dead, but recovers. They also occur as the result of loss of consciousness or severe physical, mental, or emotional trauma. They’ve taken place during childbirth, military combat, and serious illnesses and injuries.
There are no cultural, mental, or societal conditions that affect near-death experiences. They can happen to literally anyone, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, financial background, education level, or any other immutable or mutable characteristic.
Age also isn’t a factor in what causes near-death experiences. They can happen to people of all ages, including young children.
In short, anyone and everyone is able to have a near-death experience. Not everyone does, of course, but millions of people have experienced these profound, life-changing events.
Read more: What causes near-death experiences, and who has them?
The Aftereffects of near-death experiences
With their hyperrealism and extraordinary characteristics, near-death experiences can change a person’s whole worldview in an instant.
Most experiencers have what researchers refer to as pleasurable NDEs. They feel a sense of peace and unconditional love during their NDEs, and those sensations often carry on well after the event itself.
Most people report losing their fear of death in the aftermath of their NDEs, confident that their consciousness will continue on after their physical bodies are gone. Their values change, becoming more compassionate, altruistic, and service-oriented.
NDE researchers still can’t fully explain some of the phenomenon’s most unusual aftereffects. For instance, some studies have suggested that some of the deeper NDE cases included increased sensitivity to electromagnetic phenomena, and even malfunctions of devices, batteries draining more quickly, and phones losing reception unexpectedly.
Finding someone to speak with after an NDE can be challenging for experiencers. Be sure to explore the support articles and other resources offered by IANDS, or to learn how you can be there for someone after they’ve had an NDE.
Read more: Aftereffects of near-death experiences
Scientific research and academic studies on NDEs
Researchers have been studying near-death experiences since the 1970s, particularly following the publication of Raymond Moody’s groundbreaking 1975 book Life After Life.
Since then, researchers have been looking closely at accounts of NDEs and studying all manner of scientific data, from electroencephalograms, or EEGs—an electrical measure of brain activity—to other neurological, psychological, and physical data.
IANDS publishes the Journal of Near-Death Studies, the world’s only peer-reviewed scientific journal exploring near-death experiences and related phenomena. We also offer a listing of NDE research studies you can participate in, as well as continuing education programs, graduate student awards, and more. And be sure to explore our fact sheets to learn about specific phenomena.
If the Journal is a bit too academic for your needs, we’d love for you to check out our IANDS Q&A articles, answering questions asked by readers and by the Internet in general. You’ll also want to peruse the IANDS Glossary, which breaks down complex scientific terminology and explains these phrases in a simple, fun way.
IANDS isn’t alone in researching NDEs. Prominent researchers are exploring the phenomenon at the University of Virginia Division of Perceptual Studies, at NDERF, and through several other notable organizations.
Real near-death experience stories shared by real people
Near-death experience stories are truly fascinating. Whether you’re an NDE researcher, an experiencer hoping to learn more about the phenomenon, or someone with a more general interest in NDEs, you’re going to want to see the IANDS registry of personal NDE accounts.
The registry allows you to explore hundreds of genuine NDE reports submitted to IANDS by real near-death experiencers.
If you’re someone who has had an NDE of your own, we’d love for you to share your story with us. Please consider visiting the registry, where you can submit your own near-death experience. Your stories provide invaluable research material to the scientific community, and may just hold the key to unlocking the mysteries of near-death experiences and related phenomena.
Looking for even more near-death experience stories? Be sure to also take a look at our magazine, Vital Signs. You won’t want to miss an episode of our Explore the Extraordinary Podcast, either. And you can keep up with us on all fronts by signing up for the IANDS newsletter.
We can’t wait to meet and connect with you!
See the IANDS registry of personal NDE accounts
Meet the NDE Community today through IANDS
Are you ready to join the near-death experience community at large? We can help with that, too. IANDS Groups and Events include local peer-to-peer support and sharing groups with monthly meetings all around the world.
IANDS support groups connect you directly with other experiencers in your area. Find specialized groups for military veterans, those who’ve encountered childhood NDEs, distressing NDEs, and more!
What if you’re not really seeking support, but you’re hoping to support others? Well, first off, we sincerely thank you for all of your dedicated and compassionate service! And IANDS has special groups and events for you as well. You’ll find groups for healthcare professionals, clergy, and more.
You’ll also want to learn about our annual IANDS Conference, the world’s largest and longest-running event of its kind, where researchers, experiencers, and supporters come together to explore near-death experiences and related phenomena.
You should also see the IANDS Symposium, an annual event with more emphasis on the research and the science of near-death studies.
Explore the Extraordinary world of near-death experiences with IANDS!
Near-death experiences are truly fascinating occurrences that not only challenge an individual’s perceptions of the world around them, but the very foundations of mainstream science itself. And the team at IANDS invites you to join us in our quest to unravel the secrets of this exciting phenomenon.
IANDS is an educational nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. We rely on the generosity of people like you to keep our efforts afloat, including our research initiatives, our support services, outreach programs, and our mission to educate the world about near-death experiences.
If you can, please consider making a 100% tax-deductible donation to IANDS or patronizing our Extraordinary Store, both of which help our mission directly. And please also consider becoming an IANDS member! Doing so earns you lots of wonderful perks, including discounts on events like IANDS Conference. We hope you’ll come with us as we explore the extraordinary!