They can occur during a cessation of heart or brain activity prior to resuscitation. Common characteristics include:
People in the United States reported a near-death experience*
* Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2011
Cardiac arrest patients reported a near-death experience**
** IANDS Statistical Summary of NDE Reports, 2007
NDEs are positive with “an overwhelming sensation of peace … unconditional love”
Researchers are investigating whether the positive life-attitude changes reported by people with NDEs can be generated in a virtual environment (Barberia, 2018). VR users commonly describe an out-of-body sensation when controlling their avatars, especially when flying, that is very similar to descriptions by NDE patients.
VR is also becoming increasingly common for treating PTSD, phobias, and anxiety disorders. While NDEs are not considered to be a psychiatric condition like hallucinations, nor the result of anoxia or drugs (IANDS, 2021), virtual reality may likewise be able to re-create NDEs with favorable therapeutic outcomes.
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