Seeing a lily-white light , feel yourself will your consistency , and sense the presence of some sort of supernatural entity are all hallmarks ofnear - death experiences(NDEs ) , and scientist think they may now be able-bodied to explain these strange witting phenomenon . Often account by cardiac arrest martyr after resuscitation , these unimaginative visions and virtuoso may actually represent an evolutionary response to mortal danger , according to the authors of a new subject field .
Describing NDEs as “ sequence ofdisconnected consciousness ” that pass off in the face of “ actual or possible physical threat , ” the researcher go on to reexamine the existing scientific lit regarding the psychological and neurologic underpinnings of these experience . Tying all of this data together , they propose a “ comprehensive model ” that incorporates antecedently suggested theory .
dub the Neurophysiological Evolutionary Psychological Theory Understanding Near - decease Experience ( NEPTUNE ) , the model suggests that NDEs begin when oxygen grade drop in the brain while carbon copy dioxide concentration skyrocket , resulting in “ cerebral acidosis ” . This then “ sets off a chain reaction that result to increased neuronic excitability in key brain regions , let in the temporoparietal junction and the occipital lobe , accompanied by monumental release of endogenic neurotransmitter . ”
For case , increased serotonin signal may be creditworthy for the “ graphic visualhallucinations ” that represent NDEs , while spikes in endorphin and GABA levels are hypothecate to engender “ a tactual sensation of deep serenity ” . At the same time , the researchers say a photoflood of Dopastat could excuse the “ profound feelings of hyper - reality associated with these hallucinations . ”
Seeking an evolutionary basis for this mechanics , the subject authors suggest that NDEs “ might spring part of a defence cascade ” activate by “ neurophysiological response to scourge when fight - or - trajectory behavioral responses are no longer potential ” . In such situations , they say , “ people could enroll a land of genial dissociation , allowing attention to be focused on internally oriented fantasies , to help them cope with and survivelife - threatening spot . ”
This may excuse why certain individual appear more prone to NDEs than others , with those display a high tendency for dissociation or daydreaming also being more likely to see the white light when faced with existential scourge . On top of this , the research worker note that NDEs are also more common in people who are particularly predisposed to REM intrusion , whereby brain action linked to dream occurs while alive .
This especial trait “ has the potential to add key NDE characteristic , including unusual unaccented perception , [ loss of normal muscle musical note ] , euphory and out - of - body sensations , ” write the researchers .
And yet , the subject area authors go on to confess that “ despite our travail to develop a comprehensive model , some questions remain : for example , what combinations of the above - mentioned processes are necessary and/or sufficient to trigger an NDE ? ” to boot , while the NEPTUNE modeling may help to demystify certain aspect of NDEs , it does not explain other element like “ precognition ” , whereby those who undergo such an experience are left with a common sense of noesis about the future .
The study is published in the journalNature Reviews Neurology .
