francene--blog. Year 2013
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August 13th 

8/13/2013

 
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Scientists now explain the near-death experience as a surge of electrical activity in the brain. The brain remains conscious after the heart stops beating, according to University of Michigan researchers. It may even function in a higher state of arousal in the moments immediately following cardiac arrest than it does when the body is in a normal state.

A study carried out on dying rats found high levels of brainwaves at the point of the animals' demise. Poor little rats. What they go through for science.

The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, said that, in humans, the surge could give rise to a heightened state of consciousness. Rather than inactive, the brain is much more active during the dying process than even the waking state. However, scientists confess to know precious little about brain activity during death, let alone conscious brain activity. Brain activity in rats during cardiac arrest is a very different thing than human near-death experiences.


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The world over, people who have come close to death but survived report bright white lights to out-of-body sensations and feelings of life flashing before their eyes. Activity can surge through brain areas involved in conscious experience, furnishing all perceptions with vivid feelings and emotions. However, scientists do not know exactly when the near-death experience occurs. Perhaps it was before patients had anesthesia, or at some safe point during an operation long before cardiac arrest. These new findings provide further speculation that the brain drives these fascinating and striking experiences.

Near death experiences were defined by the University of Kentucky researchers as a time during a life-threatening episode when a person undergoes an out-of-body experience, unusual alertness or sees an intense light or feels a great sense of peace.

The findings suggest that REM state intrusion contributed to near death experiences.


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Long after a near-death experience, people recall the incident more vividly and emotionally than real and false memories. Across cultures and religions, people describe similar themes: being out of body; passing through a tunnel, river or door toward warm, glowing light; seeing dead loved ones greet them; and being called back to their bodies or told it's not time to go yet.

Some think near-death experiences show the spirit and body can be separated. Others claim an oxygen deprivation, or blame a cascade of chemicals in the failing brain. Some believe a transforming near-death experience reveals the existence of God or heaven. People say they're more empathic, they changed jobs, they're giving, and they want to help the planet. If they alter aspects of their life, there must be something more concrete occurring than a dream state.

What causes the surge of activity after the heart stops beating? I can't see the point if the body is virtually dead. Seems to me, this is the question scientists should be asking. "Why is it so?'


Rachelle link
8/12/2013 07:44:51 pm

Thank you for this interesting post on a fascinating topic!

Francene Stanley link
8/13/2013 03:18:19 am

I'm glad you appreciated my effort.

Courtney @ What's Up with the Wilhelms link
8/12/2013 10:03:57 pm

Great post. So informative. I am always fascinated by people with near death experience stories.

Francene Stanley link
8/13/2013 03:17:40 am

The whole subject fascinates me too. I want to know more.

Amy link
8/12/2013 10:39:59 pm

Hmm. Very interesting, Francene. Maybe the answer to your question is that there is a God who is in control of life, after all? But that may not fit in with many Scientists' hypotheses.

Francene Stanley link
8/13/2013 03:16:56 am

Nope! Sceientists like to prove what we already know.

Jenny Lloyd link
8/13/2013 03:44:32 am

Love your blog, Francene. Fascinating and informative. We need a new breed of scientists who are prepared to think outside the box, beyond the physical.

Alana link
8/13/2013 08:19:21 am

I've been fascinated by this topic since (years ago) a friend shared a near death experience with me. I know a lot of people are hesitant to share their experiences, though perhaps not so much today than back 30 or 40 years. I hope it is so much more than a chemical cascade; that there is really something to it and there is a loving existence on "the other side".

Francene Stanley link
8/13/2013 06:29:54 pm

Why not believe what we want? Soon enough, we'll discover the truth. Or not--as the case may be. My husband thinks we'll be snuffed out. I think we continue our learning journey under loving guidance.

DinoMama link
8/13/2013 10:57:46 am

wow... so now I know what I will experience when its my turn hopefully when I'm really really old =D

Francene Stanley link
8/13/2013 06:31:42 pm

Isn't it good to know about the tremendous increase in experience at the final hour?


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    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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