 |
There may
be a scientific explanation for
vivid near-death experiences such as
seeing a
shining light (AFP/File, Daniel
Mihailescu)
|
Apparently,
the brain keeps on working for up to 30 seconds after blood flow stops,
according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences.
University
of Michigan scientists did their research on nine lab rats that were
anesthetized and then subjected to induced cardiac arrest as part of the
experiment.
In the
first 30 seconds after their hearts were stopped, they all showed a surge of
brain activity, observed in electroencephalograms (EEGs) that indicated highly
aroused mental states.
"We
were surprised by the high levels of activity," said senior author George
Mashour, professor of anesthesiology and neurosurgery at the University of
Michigan.
"In
fact, at near-death, many known electrical signatures of consciousness exceeded
levels found in the waking state, suggesting that the brain is capable of
well-organized electrical activity during the early stage of clinical
death."
Similar
results in terms of brain activity were seen in rats that were asphyxiated, the
researchers said.
"This
study tells us that reduction of oxygen or both oxygen and glucose during
cardiac arrest can stimulate brain activity that is characteristic of conscious
processing," said lead author Jimo Borjigin.
"It
also provides the first scientific framework for the near-death experiences
reported by many cardiac arrest survivors."
About 20
percent of people who survive cardiac arrest report having had visions during a
period known to doctors as clinical death.
Borjigin
said she hopes her team's latest study "will form the foundation for
future human studies investigating mental experiences occurring in the dying
brain, including seeing light during cardiac arrest."
Mainstream
science has long considered the brain to be inactive during this period, and
some experts questioned how much a study on rats can truly reveal about the
human brain.
"Do we
know if animals experience 'consciousness'? Most philosophers and scientists
are still at loggerheads over what the term refers to in humans, let alone in
other species," said David McGonigle, a lecturer at Cardiff University.
"While
recent research now suggests that animals may indeed have the kind of
autobiographical memories that humans possess -- the kinds of memories that
allow us to place ourselves in a certain time and place -- it seems unlikely
that near death experiences would necessarily be similar across species."
Anders
Sandberg, a research fellow at Oxford University described the research as
"simple" and "well-done," but urged caution in interpreting
the results.
"EEG
tells us things about brain activity a bit like listening at traffic noise
tells you what is going on in a city. It is certainly informative, but also an
average of a lot of individual interactions," he said.
"No
doubt some people will presumptuously claim that this is further evidence for
life after death, which is doubly silly. Near-death experiences are in
themselves just experiences," he said.
"But
if one believes that, then one should also conclude the afterlife includes a
lot of lab mice."
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Question: Dear Kryon, I have read several accounts of people who had "died" and then returned to their bodies. In some of the accounts, they describe a very dismal place for those who committed suicide. Usually, they say that those who committed suicide are "stuck" there. Are these accounts true, or is this colored by the person's personal belief? What about those who don't commit suicide because they are depressed and can't continue on, but who "die in their cause", such as the terrorists who blew up the Twin towers or the suicide bombers in Israel? Or those who chose to take their lives because they have cancer and the pain becomes too much for them?
Answer: Dear one, as we have mentioned before, the energy of suicide is a test for those who remain, not for the one who committed the act. Indeed, the Human Being has very strong survival instincts to keep him from doing this, but for those who do, there is no stigma of dishonor or punishment. They are not stuck, either. Most of the time this was a potential contract all along, and it prods those around them to make decisions that they would never have had to do otherwise.
Remember, this is a test for all of you. When it's over, don't be shocked to return to this side of the veil and find that there is no punishment or reward… only a family who is appreciative of your journey, and of the energy it took to love the earth and the Universe so much, that you went through it.
(from Lee) Kryon has explained near death experiences. You can read it at: [http://www.kryon.com/k_chanelphilly.html] Also, Kryon has mentioned death many times, and about how it relates to us. Check out the master index to find out what Kryon books these things are mentioned in: [http://www.kryon.com/direct.html]
"Perceptions of God" – June 6, 2010 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: Quantum Teaching, The Fear of God, Near-death Experience, God Becomes Mythology, Worship, Mastery, Intelligent Design, Benevolent Creator,Global Unity.... etc.) (Text version)
“.. For centuries you haven't been able to think past that box of what God must be like. So you create a Human-like God with wars in heaven, angel strife, things that would explain the devil, fallen angels, pearly gates, lists of dos and don'ts, and many rules still based on cultures that are centuries old. You create golden streets and even sexual pleasures as rewards for men (of course) - all Human perspective, pasted upon God. I want to tell you that it's a lot different than that. I want to remind you that there are those who have seen it! Why don't you ask somebody who has had what you would call a near-death experience?
When a Human almost dies, they get close to the veil, very close. They are ever so close to the creator's energy and just barely touched by it. When their heart was stopping and their breathing was almost gone, before they were brought back to life with science, they got to touch the hand of God for just an instant. What they saw was magnificent! The energy before them was filled with love and light, filled with family, filled with beauty. There was no strife there. There was no punishment there or even the hint of it. And when they came back from that experience, listen to what they told you. It changed their lives, didn't it? Listen to each one talk about it, for they continued to say, "There is nothing to fear and death is something you experience as a normal transition." Blessed is the Human Being who experiences both death and birth and has the wisdom to report, "Oh, it's uncomfortable, but I'll get through it, because I've done it before." The person who has experienced a near-death experience is no longer afraid to die! What does that tell you? They have seen what is there and they embrace it! …”
When a Human almost dies, they get close to the veil, very close. They are ever so close to the creator's energy and just barely touched by it. When their heart was stopping and their breathing was almost gone, before they were brought back to life with science, they got to touch the hand of God for just an instant. What they saw was magnificent! The energy before them was filled with love and light, filled with family, filled with beauty. There was no strife there. There was no punishment there or even the hint of it. And when they came back from that experience, listen to what they told you. It changed their lives, didn't it? Listen to each one talk about it, for they continued to say, "There is nothing to fear and death is something you experience as a normal transition." Blessed is the Human Being who experiences both death and birth and has the wisdom to report, "Oh, it's uncomfortable, but I'll get through it, because I've done it before." The person who has experienced a near-death experience is no longer afraid to die! What does that tell you? They have seen what is there and they embrace it! …”
"THE THREE WINDS" – Feb 23-24, 2013 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: Humanity, Home - other side of the veil, Wind of Birth - Birth, Wind of Existence - Life, Wind of Transition - Death)
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