Since psychologist and physician Raymond Moody (Moody) popularized scientific research on near-death experiences in the 1970s, many scientists have also turned to this topic.
Leading experts in the field of near-death experiences discussed the next steps to study this phenomenon during the IANDS Conference 2014. Speakers included Iana Holden, professor at the University of North Texas, editor of IANDS magazine on near-death experiences, former president of IANDS; Robert and Susan Mays, who have been studying this phenomenon for 30 years, and Mitch Lister, a psychiatrist and physician from Colorado.
Each of the presenters noted several important points for future research.
Yana Holden, professor at the University of North Texas
Photo: TaraMacIsaac / EpochTimes
1. To legitimize research. Holden believes that it is very important that the study of NDEs is accepted by the scientific community, as they carry very important messages. One of the main lessons learned by patients who have gone through this is "human life has a purpose." Compassion is also important. Research in this area will help society make a breakthrough, Holden says.
Promotional video:
Holden's first article on near-death experiences was about research in hospitals. It concerned people who, during the near-death experience, learned some information. Subsequent checks showed that it turned out to be correct. Holden hopes that all of these efforts can lend weight to research on near-death experiences.
2. The universal nature of near-death experiences. Holden cited research by Jeffrey Long showing that NDEs are similar across many cultures. However, in South America or Africa there has not been a single study on this topic, which is a gap for intercultural understanding. Holden hopes to see more research in different countries to highlight the universal nature of the near-death experience.
3. Training of researchers. Iana Holden, in a recent study that has just been accepted for publication in the journal of the American Psychological Association, analyzed how NDEs are perceived by healthcare professionals.
She looked at 188 cases in which patients who had a near-death experience shared it with healthcare providers. The majority, 4 out of 5, received positive or neutral responses, but 1 out of 5 experienced a negative response, indicating the need to educate healthcare providers about this issue. This negative reaction can cause psychological harm to patients, which goes against the Hippocratic oath "Do no harm," Holden said.
Robert Mays, NDE researcher
Photo: TaraMacIsaac / EpochTimes
1. Comprehensive study of the phenomenon. Mace is interested in exploring the big picture to better understand the details. A comprehensive study of near-death experiences would allow scientists to better understand the picture. Mace is interested in cases where an outsider has been involved in someone's near-death experience as a witness.
2. Truthful perception. Some people who have experienced a near-death experience have recalled information they received during the experience that turned out to be correct. The Dutch-language book What A Dying Brain Can't Do describes 18 such cases, Mays says. He hopes to find sponsors to translate this book so that people can better understand this phenomenon.
3. Research of consciousness. Understanding near-death experiences is closely related to the study of consciousness in general. Mace studies the connection between the mind and the brain. He wants to figure out how thought physically enters the brain from the outside, because, from his point of view, consciousness does not arise inside the brain.
Suzanne Mays, Near Death Researcher
Photo: TaraMacIsaac / EpochTimes
1. Technique for conducting interviews. People who have had a near-death experience usually talk about it very emotionally, but Mace thinks they can omit some essential details. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a system that would help them better remember all the information.
She posed the following questions: “Are there any missing information in such memories that would allow a better understanding of transcendental reality? Is it possible to develop an interview technique that would allow them to remember important elements of the out-of-body experience, forgotten when they returned to their usual state of consciousness?"
2. Neuroscience. Researchers must be aware of the latest discoveries in neuroscience, especially brain imaging. Scientists continue to discover previously unknown neurostructures. Mainstream science often interprets such discoveries as evidence that consciousness arises in the brain. However, at the same time, this technology reveals more and more anomalies in these complex structures, which casts doubt on the materialistic interpretation.
3. Finding the patterns of transcendental reality. If researchers of near-death experiences manage to penetrate into another plane of existence, then this will be a breakthrough for understanding that reality. Mace says that these patterns, despite some differences, may coincide with the known physical laws.
Mitch Lister, psychiatrist
Photo: TaraMacIsaac / EpochTimes
1. Greater collaboration between scientists. Lister hopes to interest his colleagues, many of whom do not believe in the phenomenon of near-death experiences. She believes that understanding this phenomenon requires interdisciplinary research involving physicists, psychologists, neurosciences and anthropologists.
2. Cross-cultural studies. For a better understanding of the phenomenon, it is necessary to find out whether there are any differences and similarities in near-death experiences among people living in different regions of the world.
3. Side effect. Lister would like to see more research on the effects and side effects of near-death experiences. "There is a lot of discussion about the causes of near-death experiences, but they do not negate the fact that this phenomenon leaves a deep mark in people's lives."