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Study into near-death experiences | Study into near-death experiences |
(about 20 hours later) | |
A large study is to examine near-death experiences in cardiac arrest patients. | A large study is to examine near-death experiences in cardiac arrest patients. |
Doctors at 25 UK and US hospitals will study 1,500 survivors to see if people with no heartbeat or brain activity can have "out of body" experiences. | Doctors at 25 UK and US hospitals will study 1,500 survivors to see if people with no heartbeat or brain activity can have "out of body" experiences. |
Some people report seeing a tunnel or bright light, others recall looking down from the ceiling at medical staff. | Some people report seeing a tunnel or bright light, others recall looking down from the ceiling at medical staff. |
The study, due to take three years and co-ordinated by Southampton University, will include placing on shelves images that could only be seen from above. | The study, due to take three years and co-ordinated by Southampton University, will include placing on shelves images that could only be seen from above. |
This is a mystery that we can now subject to scientific study Dr Sam ParniaUniversity of Southampton Towards the light | This is a mystery that we can now subject to scientific study Dr Sam ParniaUniversity of Southampton Towards the light |
To test this, the researchers have set up special shelving in resuscitation areas. The shelves hold pictures - but they're visible only from the ceiling. | To test this, the researchers have set up special shelving in resuscitation areas. The shelves hold pictures - but they're visible only from the ceiling. |
Dr Sam Parnia, who is heading the study, said: "If you can demonstrate that consciousness continues after the brain switches off, it allows for the possibility that the consciousness is a separate entity. | Dr Sam Parnia, who is heading the study, said: "If you can demonstrate that consciousness continues after the brain switches off, it allows for the possibility that the consciousness is a separate entity. |
"It is unlikely that we will find many cases where this happens, but we have to be open-minded. | "It is unlikely that we will find many cases where this happens, but we have to be open-minded. |
"And if no one sees the pictures, it shows these experiences are illusions or false memories. | "And if no one sees the pictures, it shows these experiences are illusions or false memories. |
"This is a mystery that we can now subject to scientific study." | "This is a mystery that we can now subject to scientific study." |
Dr Parnia works as an intensive care doctor, and felt from his daily duties that science had not properly explored the issue of near-death experiences. | Dr Parnia works as an intensive care doctor, and felt from his daily duties that science had not properly explored the issue of near-death experiences. |
Process of death | Process of death |
He said: "Contrary to popular perception, death is not a specific moment. | He said: "Contrary to popular perception, death is not a specific moment. |
"It is a process that begins when the heart stops beating, the lungs stop working and the brain ceases functioning - a medical condition termed cardiac arrest. | "It is a process that begins when the heart stops beating, the lungs stop working and the brain ceases functioning - a medical condition termed cardiac arrest. |
"During a cardiac arrest, all three criteria of death are present. There then follows a period of time, which may last from a few seconds to an hour or more, in which emergency medical efforts may succeed in restarting the heart and reversing the dying process. | "During a cardiac arrest, all three criteria of death are present. There then follows a period of time, which may last from a few seconds to an hour or more, in which emergency medical efforts may succeed in restarting the heart and reversing the dying process. |
"What people experience during this period of cardiac arrest provides a unique window of understanding into what we are all likely to experience during the dying process." | "What people experience during this period of cardiac arrest provides a unique window of understanding into what we are all likely to experience during the dying process." |
Dr Parnia and medical colleagues will analyse the brain activity of 1,500 cardiac arrest survivors, and see whether they can recall the images in the pictures. | Dr Parnia and medical colleagues will analyse the brain activity of 1,500 cardiac arrest survivors, and see whether they can recall the images in the pictures. |
Hospitals involved include Addenbrookes in Cambridge, University Hospital in Birmingham and the Morriston in Swansea, as well as nine hospitals in the US. | Hospitals involved include Addenbrookes in Cambridge, University Hospital in Birmingham and the Morriston in Swansea, as well as nine hospitals in the US. |