Is the meaning of near-death-experience religious or neurological?

While we’re on the subject of dying, let’s talk about near-death-experience (NDE), a subject popularized after the publication of Life After Life, by Dr. Moody, in 1975. 

The strange aspects of NDE accounts are not new, though, as they have been heard for centuries. Generally, after an NDE, there’s a surge in spirituality in individuals characterized with a reduction of fear of death. 

Explanations range from scientific to religious; neuroscience believes that an NDE is a subjective phenomenon resulting from "disturbed bodily multi-sensory integration" that occurs during life-threatening events. It is also true that Patients of theistic religions (Christianity, Islam and Hinduism) reported significantly more NDEs compared to patients from the non-theistic religious group lie Buddhism. 

At any rate, new research shows that these seemingly otherworldly sensations may actually be rooted in brain activity associated with psychedelics. A study conducted at Imperial College London, shows that the potent psychedelic, N,N-Dimethyltriptamine – commonly known as DMT – can elicit experiences rooted in physical brain processes, that strongly overlap with those described as NDE. DMT produces its psychedelic effects largely via neural pathways involving the neurotransmitter serotonin. 

In a manner similar to near-death experiences, DMT elicits mystical happenings described as “realer than real”. Generally speaking, science defines the time of death as a chain reaction to existential changes, in order to maintain a balance in times of crisis, as we all have an implicit need for stability. As we get closer to death, scientists say that our brain may process sensory information (hearing, smell, etc.) differently from the way we used to. 

For instance, a sound that once seemed normal may seem scary or threatening. It’s possible mistake one person for another or to perceive things that people around don’t seem to notice. These differences in perception may be more noticeable at night than during the day. Some studies have shown that the brain releases a surge of chemicals as death approaches that may heighten senses into a state of awareness or even hyper-reality. 

People who are dying, often speak of seeing that famous bright light at the end of a tunnel. They may see themselves going on a journey where they’ll reunite with a deceased loved one. When all is said and done, that phenomenon might be an ultimate bodily reaction that ease dying people into the end of their existence in a pleasant, instead of a traumatic way, and barring the possibility of an eternal life, it’s a good way to end it all!