JNDS, Volume 8, Number 1

Abstract

Abstract: Prior hypotheses as to the etiology of near-death experiences (NDEs) have been limited to psychiatric explanations or brief discussions of endorphins as causative agents. We present a neurophysiological explanation for NDEs based on their similarities with lysergic acid-, ketamine-, and hypercampnia-induced hallucinations. We believe the core NDE is genetically imprinted and triggered by serotonergic mechanisms