This is what a near-death experience actually feels like

In the strange world of the paranormal, there is a particularly unique phenomenon that comes up time and time again – the near-death experience (NDE). White light at the end of a tunnel, memories of a person’s life flashing before their eyes, and even visions of heaven.

There's a reason why all these cliches have been done to death in film and TV shows: research shows people genuinely do experience these intense visions.

It would make sense that being so close to death and then experiencing such mirages would leave one feeling rather distraught. But that doesn’t seem to be the case. In fact, the opposite could be true. Near-death experiences are a surprising push to a better life, leaving people happier, more fulfilled, and less scared of dying.

So what exactly are the impacts of a near-death experience? What is happening in the brain during these events? And is it possible to create one without the... well, almost dying?

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What is a near-death experience actually like?

While not every near-death experience results in some form of vision or ultimately unique experience, they are extremely common, often fitting into a positive or negative experience.

“When people started studying near-death experiences, the focus was almost entirely on the more typical experience which is more positive. But as time went on, people became more aware of the negative ones too,” Prof Chris French, a psychologist of paranormal beliefs told BBC Science Focus on the Instant Genius podcast.

“In terms of what is happening, it’s a very rich hallucinatory experience but it feels incredibly real. It feels just as real as anything else that you have ever experienced.”

That isn’t such a problem for those with a positive experience, but when it is negative, people often come away with an increased fear of death, and can even experience life-long trauma. What's even scarier about this: it is believed that roughly 1 in 5 five near-death experiences fall into this negative camp.

Chris breaks these negative experiences down into three categories:

The first is something that most consider a positive experience. An awe-inspiring moment, maybe seeing their memories flood back, they just don't see it in a positive way.
The second category he describes as a ‘Hieronymus Bosch’ painting of hell. This is, in other words, a complete nightmare view of death, with humans being tortured and a painful afterlife.
Finally, something somehow even more ominous, nothing. A number of reports paint the picture of an empty void, spending the rest of your eternity floating around aimlessly.

So far, not sounding great, but what about the positive experiences? While they still sound pretty horrifying, the majority of people report positive experiences along the lines of intense experiences which help them realise their joy in life.

Common examples include a person feeling themselves float out of their own body, seeing their life flash before their eyes and of course, the light forming at the end of the tunnel that they have to walk towards.

With a more positive experience, people tend to report sensations alongside them. Feeling lighter, more free and even total serenity. For some, the joy they feel can make these visions (which could be quite scary) more comforting.

These experiences are associated with a higher appreciation for life, and, despite almost dying, a positive feeling about the entire experience.

The science behind the experience

So what exactly causes near-death experiences? Are they visions from god? An actual glimpse of the afterlife? Unsurprisingly, science can’t say for sure. But researchers like French do have an interesting theory.

“Most neuropsychologists think they;re visions of a dying brain. There’s weird stuff happening in your brain usually in these circumstances, and this is how you experience it,” said French.

“It feels incredibly real and we don’t have a definitive answer to explain it but this is definitely the most logical answer we have.”

This experience has been described by neuroscientists as ‘disturbed bodily multisensory integration’. In other words, an enhanced experience caused by multiple sensory stimuli firing at the same time due to an extreme bodily experience.

In the brain, this is primarily occurring in the right temporoparietal cortex, a part of the brain that incorporates information from the visual, auditory and somatosensory (sensation) systems.

“It is important to note that someone doesn’t actually have to be dying to experience this, they just have to think they are. There are just still so many questions that we have on near-death experiences, but the neuropsychological approach is the best we’ve got.”

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A more fulfilled life after facing death

You’ve come close to death, seen what feels like a vision of the afterlife, and now you’re back to your everyday. How do people move on when such a situation arises?

For most, the experience is transformative. People who experience a near-death experience overwhelmingly report a desire to change their lives in the aftermath of coming close to death.

This isn’t always positive news, with an increase in divorce occurring when one member of the marriage has had an NDE. For others, there is the chance of an onset of PTSD from the event, especially a sense of disassociation from life.

However, as mentioned above, for most people an NDE has surprisingly positive effects on the rest of their life. Near-death experiences are linked to an increase in morality, happiness, fulfilment of life, and even for some a tightening in their trust in their religion.

Unsurprisingly, having believed they have seen the afterlife or experienced different dimensions, many people who experience an NDE are far more spiritual afterwards, with a focus on reincarnation, the afterlife, and projection of the mind.

One very common link among people who have experienced these visions is an increase in altruism and a decrease in interest in material goods. This also included a lessening in desire to earn and keep money.

In a study of cardiac arrest survivors who experienced NDEs, they were statistically more likely to have a reduced fear of death, increased belief in life after death, interest in the meaning of life, acceptance of others and were even more loving and empathetic.

For some, this is an instant effect after coming back into consciousness. For some, this can take years to accumulate.

How to trigger a near-death experience without almost dying

This all sounds great, but almost dying is quite a tricky way to bring some more joy into your life. Is there an easier way to experience a NDE? Technically, yes. There have been reports of people entering them without the near-death part.

In some cases, people have been able to meditate their way to the visions and experiences of an NDE. In a study of advanced Buddhist meditators, they were able to induce the experience without the fear of death prompting them.

However, these were monks with 20 or more years of experience in the world of meditation, frequently meditating for hours on end. Buddhist monks also have a history of experiencing NDEs, and even claim to be able to match the feelings associated with almost dying.

Unfortunately, outside of meditation, it is hard to force the experience. In the vast majority of cases, the fear of dying has been so strong it has triggered the experience. Without a lifetime of meditation, it really comes down to dying, or thinking you're dying... maybe meditation is the best route after all.