Published on
Updated
Reading 4 mins.
A large American study studied the brain activity of people in intensive care. Subjects who have had what is called a near-death experience (NDE) do have a high-activity episode at the same time.
An exit from one’s body, a feeling of plenitude, a lucidity about life… The testimonies collected on the experience of imminent death all over the world fascinate as much as they worry. And raise, in any case, the question of veracity: did the subjects really experience something paranormal? Or is their brain playing tricks on them, like a daydream?
A study conducted on survivors of cardiac arrest
Without giving a firm explanation for this state, a team of researchers from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine conducted an in-depth study on subjects they considered likely to experience this experience: by analyzing the brain activity of people cardiorespiratory within hospitals. With a starting point: one in five people who survive cardiopulmonary resuscitation after cardiac arrest can describe lucid death experiences that occurred when they were apparently unconscious and on the verge of death.
The study involved 567 men and women across 25 institutions, between May 2017 and March 2020 in the US and UK. Subjects whose heart stopped beating during their hospitalization and who received cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Despite immediate treatment, less than 10% (or 126 patients) recovered enough to be discharged from hospital. Survivors then reported having unique lucid experiences, including a perception of separation from the body, observation of events without pain or distress, and a meaningful assessment of life, including of their actions, intentions, and thoughts toward others. others.
But the interest does not lie only in their testimony. In parallel, the team analyzed the brain activity of the patients and discovered peaks in brain activity up to an hour after the start of resuscitation.. “Some of these brain waves normally occur when people are aware and performing higher mental functions including thinking, memory retrieval and conscious perception. retraces the study.
The first scientific signs of an NDE?
For Sam Parnia, the study’s lead researcher and critical care physician, the measurement is a big step: the identification of measurable electrical signs of lucid and increased brain activity, as well as similar histories of death experiences.” recalled,” suggests that the human sense of self and consciousness, like other biological functions of the body, may not completely shut down at the time of death:
“Our findings offer evidence that when on the brink of death and in a coma, people have a unique experience of inner awareness, including distress-free awareness.”
The researcher dares to go further in the conclusion:
“These experiences and brain wave changes may be early signs of the so-called near-death experience, and we’ve captured them for the first time in a large study.”
The study authors state that, although studies to date have been unable to definitively prove the reality or significance of patients’ experiences and claims of awareness in relation to death, it was impossible to deny them either.
A similar experience in many cases
To learn more about the impact of this study, we contacted Dr. Jean-Pierre Jourdan, MD, Vice-President and Director of Medical Research at IANDS-France (International Association for Near-Death Studies), and author of two books on the subject of near-death experience (NDE). According to him, the study is interesting and goes in the direction of a better knowledge but does not surprise him unduly.
“What is interesting today and what we also know is that many scientists believe that the brain should be studied during comatic trauma, in states where the brain is no longer supposed to function. But the first thing to know is that these experiences manifest themselves in exactly the same way in people on the verge of death as in people who do not present a vital risk: I have known cases which have made this experience in meditation, on a beach or during an orgasm”.
To refine this knowledge, the expert also used the testimonies of 190 people, 50 of whom were not in a situation of committed prognosis. The notion of ultra-precise memory of what happened during this parenthesis, and which always comes back after an NDE, is also a very important characteristic to take into account, according to him.
“The combination of the two, the similar characteristics and the very precise memory in all cases, is proof that the theory of false created memories or hallucinations does not hold. How can we have such precise memories (of the attitude of caregivers for example, of gestures, of a conversation, etc.) in a period when the brain is not supposed to be capable of anything? “
The mystery of EMI finally revealed?
However, if research is progressing on this fascinating subject, the expert is clear, there is still no possible explanation for this state of the brain, for this lucidity.
“Every time new scientists study the brain in borderline states, people take it up and say ‘we have the explanation’! But no, unfortunately, whatever the brain activity, it doesn’t explain nothing yet. One can only recognize the memorization or the similarity between people, despite the differences in beliefs, countries. The research must continue.”
Research that remains difficult to conduct on such a divisive theme, and which still encounters many prejudices. According to the doctor, there are still many scientists who have not studied this experiment, but who do not hesitate to give a definitive opinion. The subject is also quickly picked up by the media who want to buzz about life after death.
“But it is only by studying the experience that we will advance in knowledge. We cannot try to understand something about consciousness if we do not take into account these unusual behaviors. If this latest study allows us to ‘going further is already a big step’ he confirms.