luchog
11th April 2006, 11:48 AM
According to a recent study, NDEs are most likely the result of "REM intrusion" -- activation of the part of the brain responsible for dreams.
US team explains near death experiences (http://www.theregister.com/2006/04/11/near_death_explained/)
Excerpt:
"Sixty per cent of those who claimed a near death experience said they'd also suffered a "REM state of sleep during periods of wakefulness", or REM intrusion, described by study author professor Kevin Nelson to the Daily Telegraph as "an activation of certain brain regions that are also active during the dream state".
Nelson added: "However, I hesitate to call it dreaming or dreaming while awake. This is the first testable hypothesis of a biological basis for these experiences. People who have near death experiences may have an arousal system that predisposes them to REM intrusion.""
US team explains near death experiences (http://www.theregister.com/2006/04/11/near_death_explained/)
Excerpt:
"Sixty per cent of those who claimed a near death experience said they'd also suffered a "REM state of sleep during periods of wakefulness", or REM intrusion, described by study author professor Kevin Nelson to the Daily Telegraph as "an activation of certain brain regions that are also active during the dream state".
Nelson added: "However, I hesitate to call it dreaming or dreaming while awake. This is the first testable hypothesis of a biological basis for these experiences. People who have near death experiences may have an arousal system that predisposes them to REM intrusion.""