Near death experience facts for kids
A near-death experience (often called an NDE) happens when someone is very close to dying but then recovers. During an NDE, people often describe feeling like they leave their body. They might see a bright light, feel great peace, or have their whole life flash before their eyes. These experiences can feel very real and powerful to those who have them.
NDEs became well-known after Raymond Moody wrote his famous book Life After Life in 1975. He collected many stories from people who had these amazing experiences. Since then, scientists and doctors have studied NDEs to understand them better.
What Happens During an NDE?
People who have an NDE often share similar feelings and sights. These can include:
- Feeling like they are floating outside their body, looking down at themselves.
- Moving quickly through a dark tunnel towards a bright light.
- Meeting loved ones who have passed away.
- Feeling a sense of deep peace, joy, or love.
- Having a "life review," where they quickly see important moments from their past.
- Feeling like they are entering a different, beautiful place.
These experiences can happen when someone is unconscious, during a serious accident, or when their heart has stopped.
Why Do NDEs Occur?
Scientists and doctors have different ideas about why NDEs happen. Some believe they are real spiritual events. Others think they might be caused by changes in the brain when it's under extreme stress.
For example, some theories suggest that NDEs could be linked to:
- Lack of oxygen: When the brain doesn't get enough oxygen, it can cause strange visions or feelings.
- Brain chemicals: The brain might release special chemicals during a crisis, leading to intense experiences.
- Temporal lobe activity: The temporal lobe is a part of the brain that handles memories and emotions. Unusual activity in this area might create NDE-like sensations.
However, no single scientific explanation fully covers all aspects of NDEs. Many researchers, like Pim van Lommel, have studied NDEs in detail. They look at how these experiences affect people's lives afterwards.
Impact of NDEs
Many people say that having an NDE changes their life forever. They often report:
- Losing their fear of death.
- Becoming more spiritual or interested in the meaning of life.
- Feeling more love and compassion for others.
- Changing their priorities, focusing more on family and kindness.
These changes can be very strong and lasting. NDEs are still a topic of much discussion and research around the world.
See also
In Spanish: Experiencia cercana a la muerte para niños
Images for kids
-
Entering darkness, seeing the light
-
Pim van Lommel
-
Animation of the human left temporal lobe
