Are near-death experiences real? Here’s what science has to say. | Dr. Bruce Greyson for Big Think
Big Think・7 minutes read
Bruce Greyson, a professor, studies near-death experiences (NDEs), which involve leaving the physical body, encountering non-physical entities, and reviewing one's life. Despite occurring when the brain is not fully functional, NDEs challenge the belief that the brain creates all thoughts and memories, heightening senses and making the experience feel more real than reality itself.
Insights
- Near-death experiences (NDEs) challenge the conventional belief that the brain generates all thoughts and memories, as they occur when the brain is not fully functional, raising questions about the nature of consciousness and the mind.
- NDEs involve heightened senses and vivid sensations that surpass normal experiences, leading individuals to perceive them as more substantial and authentic than everyday reality, suggesting a profound shift in perception and awareness during these events.
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Recent questions
What are near-death experiences?
Profound subjective experiences involving leaving the physical body, reviewing life, encountering non-physical entities, and reaching a point of no return.
Who extensively studied near-death experiences?
Bruce Greyson
What sparked Bruce Greyson's interest in near-death experiences?
A patient's uncanny knowledge of a private conversation
How do near-death experiences challenge common beliefs about the brain?
By occurring when the brain is not fully functional
What do near-death experiencers report about their senses?
Heightened senses and vivid sensations
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Summary
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Bruce Greyson's Study on Near-Death Experiences
- Near-death experiences (NDEs) have been extensively studied by Bruce Greyson, a professor emeritus of psychiatry and neurobehavioral sciences at the University of Virginia Medical School.
- NDEs involve profound subjective experiences such as leaving the physical body, reviewing one's life, encountering non-physical entities, and reaching a point of no return.
- Greyson's interest in NDEs was sparked by a patient's uncanny knowledge of a private conversation he had, leading him to collect and study over a thousand cases of NDEs.
- Despite the common belief that the brain creates all thoughts and memories, NDEs challenge this notion by occurring during times when the brain is not fully functional.
- NDEs are reported to heighten senses, with experiencers describing vivid sensations that are difficult to articulate, making the experience feel more real than reality itself.
