You’ve probably heard about near-death experiences. They vary in their specific details, but most share a common narrative. Many people report floating over their bodies. Others speak of encounters with non-corporeal beings. Peace and well-being are common themes during these experiences. They sound mystical, but can modern science shed light on this phenomenon? What happens to the brain when we’re about to die? Keep reading for some fascinating details. 

Near-Death Experiences Transcend Culture 

Near-death experiences have been in our cultural discourse for the last few decades. In the United States, these narratives take on a Christian flavor. People describe encountering angels or seeing places that resemble Biblical descriptions of heaven.  

But those in other religions report somewhat different stories. Sanskrit Magazine shared NDEs from Hindus. Some narratives included visions of Yamraj, the Hindu god of death. Religious studies professor Atif Khalil described some near-death experiences reported by Muslims. These included encounters with pure white light and speaking to dead relatives. A few said that they saw the Prophet Muhammad.   

Regardless of spiritual beliefs, many people with NDEs report some key similarities. Several were told that it was not their time to go. Ordered to return to their bodies, these individuals regained consciousness after their visions. Others note their vivid and detailed nature as if they were "realer than real." Neuroscientist Christof Koch comments that they display “unusual intensity and lucidity."   

As Brains Power Down, NDEs Take Shape 

With their ultra-real quality, Koch comments that it’s hard to dismiss NDEs as fanciful visions. "I accept the reality of these intensely felt experiences,” he adds. Yet his scientific perspective prompted him to look at potential brain-related causes. Koch also saw similarities to mystical visions from ingesting certain psychoactive substances. Some of these, such as LSD and psilocybin, interact with serotonin receptors.  

So what does happen inside the brain during an NDE? We’re still not sure, but Koch documents how the brain shuts down when it’s robbed of blood flow and oxygen. These processes may reveal possible clues to what creates NDEs. Without blood flow and oxygen, large-scale electrical activity within the cortex breaks down. As more brain regions lose power, the mind works with whatever electrical activity remains.   

Brain shutdowns may not completely solve the NDE puzzle. Other clues may lie in complex partial seizures. These affect a person's consciousness and are localized to specific brain regions. One type known as Dostoyevsky’s seizures cause ecstatic feelings right before an episode. Neurologists have replicated these effects through electrical stimulation in part of the cortex. 

Do NDEs Come From Our Storytelling Brains? 

Storytelling is a natural thing for humans to do. Our brains love to create narratives – our dreams are perfect proof of this. Verywell Mind discusses the activation-synthesis model of dreaming. This theory suggests that certain brain areas become active during sleep. Our dreaming brains try to make sense of this activity, particularly in the limbic system involving emotions and memories. Our dreams thus become narratives as our minds attempt to find logic and meaning in the chaos.   

But what about NDEs? Koch suggests that they may come from our minds cobbling together narratives as our brains shut down. We unconsciously pull from our lived experiences, but we also dig deep into cultural and religious beliefs. From a scientific perspective, this could explain what we see during these NDEs. Maybe that's why Hindus encounter Yamraj, Christians meet Jesus, and so forth. 

Making Sense of NDEs

Just as humans love crafting stories, we also love to understand ourselves and our world. Scientific investigation doesn’t have to invalidate near-death experiences. Rather, such research can help us uncover more of our brains' inner workings. We could unlock useful solutions to dysfunction, disease, and other problems. Yet we must approach our quest for knowledge with care. After all, our identities and abilities are within their folds.