From: Nance Aurand-Humpf
Columbus
Thank you for Dr. Richard Feldman’s column on therepublic.com about brain waves and NDEs, near-death experiences. (“Research sheds new light on near-death experiences”, Oct. 22.) I appreciate Dr. Feldman’s acknowledgment that more research is needed and the questions he raises at the end of the article. As someone who had an NDE in January 2023, I want to offer a perspective on research and caregiving for NDE patients and survivors.
An NDE, near-death experience, is defined as a profound personal experience associated with death or impending death. While most NDEs are the positive experiences of peace and bliss that we’ve all heard about, as many as 20% (likely under-reported) experience distressing NDEs. NDEs are also often STEs, spiritually transformative experiences. My NDE was an impending death experience of the distressing type. It was also an STE.
Many scientists interested in studying NDEs believe that NDEs are strictly brain-based. Through scientific methodology, they conduct research to prove they’re correct. My point here is that they are not unbiased. There are some holes in this study. While I do believe in science, I don’t think explaining away God, the afterlife, or spiritual experiences is, in the long run, helpful to patients.
More importantly, I hope medical professionals who treat critically ill patients and provide aftercare adopt a different approach and steer away from offering brain-based explanations. Because NDEs are often also spiritually transformative experiences, care providers need to be respectful of religious or spiritual beliefs, listen, and keep their own beliefs to themselves when a patient reports an NDE. IANDS, The International Association of Near-Death Studies, offers guidance to medical professionals and caregivers here: iands.org/images/stories/pdf_downloads/caregiver.pdf.
Patients and families also need resources. The aftermath of an NDE can be difficult for patients. They often feel alone and unsupported. NDErs frequently describe their experience as the most profound experience of their lives, even more significant than the births of their children. They can also upend one’s entire belief system. Integrating the experience can feel impossibly lonely and depressing. No one gets it. Follow-up care and support resources are needed.
Perhaps someday science will thoroughly explain NDEs. What will remain the same is the subjective ways survivors interpret and integrate their experiences. I doubt science will root out spirituality. It’s innate to who we are.
