Ideas for a paper - Near Death Experiences

Ideas for a Paper on the subject of near-death experiences

There exists a wealth of information on the subject of near-death experiences, much of which you can find right here on this website. Because there is such a vast amount of information about near-death experiences, it is often difficult to sift through it all in order to write a good research paper for class. The outline below may be helpful for people who are doing just that - writing a research paper on near-death experiences. Feel free to use this outline in any way helpful to you.

Near-Death Experiences (NDE)

I. What causes them? (methods of consciousness expansion)

A. Death

B. Hallucinogenic drugs

C. Extreme stress

D. Extreme meditation

E. Dreams

F. UFO abductions (controversial)

II. Interesting examples of the major aspects of the NDE

A.	Out-of-body experience (Dr. George Ritchie)
B.	Tunnel (Ned Dougherty)
C.	Light (Mellen-Thomas Benedict)
D.	Homecoming (Ned Dougherty)
E.	Life review (Dr. George Ritchie)
F.	Religious figures (Betty Eadie)
G.	Overwhelming love (Jayne Smith)
H.	Temple of Knowledge (Dr. George Ritchie)
I.	Receiving forgotten knowledge (Jayne Smith)
J.	Told of reincarnation (Sandra Rogers)
K.	Shown the future (Dannion Brinkley)
L.	Barrier (David Goines)
M.	City of Light (Jan Price)
N.	Told not ready (Pastor Howard Storm)

III. Notable NDEs

A. Dr. George Ritchie

1. Given a guided tour of the afterlife

2. Inspired the "father" of NDE research

B. Dr. Carl Jung

1. The "father" of analytical psychology

2. Described the earth from outer space in 1944

C. Dr. George Rodonaia

1. Was dead for 3 days - revived during autopsy

2. Experienced world history from beginning to end

D. Pastor Howard Storm

1. Molested in hell - rescued by Jesus

2. Shown the future of mankind

3. Became a pastor after his NDE

E. Pam Reynolds

1. NDE was induced by surgical procedure

2. Strong veridical evidence of out-of-body observations

F. Vicki Umipeg

1. Born blind - sees for the first time during NDE

G. Shared NDEs

1. Firefighters see themselves out of their bodies

2. Three young men go to heaven together

3. Man has NDE during friends death

H. A mother's interesting NDE

1. Mother sees her future child

I. Dannion Brinkley

1. Traveled forward in time during NDE

J. Jan Price

1. Given a tour of the afterlife by her deceased dog

K. Peter Sellers - famous actor

1. His NDE opened his mind to reincarnation

L. Plato - the West's oldest NDE on record

IV. Theories of the NDE

A. Dying brain theory

1. Theory: Neurotransmitters create heavenly illusions

2. Argument: Unconscious brains are unable to function while unconscious. Mental illusions cannot be retained in the memory when the unconscious brain becomes conscious. NDEs occur when the brain is unconscious, yet vivid mental images are retained. This suggests that something more is going on than brain chemistry.

3. Argument: A great percentage of NDEs have aspects to them that cannot be explained away as being the result of neurotransmitters. For example, a great many NDErs are told of a "mission" which they must return to complete. How can neurotransmitters create such a mass illusion as this?

4. Argument: NDErs don't believe it is merely an illusion.

B. Darwin's theory

1. Theory: NDErs are helping humanity cope with death.

2. Argument: A great percentage of NDErs are very reluctant to talk about their experience.

3. Argument: Some NDEs are horrifying.

C. Hallucination theory

1. Theory: Endorphins create hallucinations.

2. Argument: Unconscious brains are unable to function while unconscious. Hallucinations cannot be retained in the memory when the unconscious brain becomes conscious. NDEs occur when the brain is unconscious, yet vivid mental images are retained. This suggests that something more is going on than hallucinations.

3. Argument: Hallucinations distort reality. NDEs are not distortions but have been described as "hyper-reality".

4. Argument: People who have had both an NDE and a hallucination say they are not the same.

5. Argument: Hallucinations often evoke fear and paranoia which NDEs generally do not.

D. Lack of oxygen theory

1. Theory: Lack of oxygen creates hallucinations.

3. Argument: NDEs have occurred while high oxygen levels exist in the blood (see Pam Reynolds NDE)

E. Depersonalization theory

1. Theory: People "remove themselves" from themselves during trauma such as death.

2. Argument: Unconscious brains are unable to function while unconscious. Mental images cannot be retained in the memory when the unconscious brain becomes conscious. NDEs occur when the brain is unconscious, yet vivid mental images are retained. This suggests that something more is going on than depersonalization.

3. Argument: NDEs create strong spiritual and mystical feelings which depersonalization does not.

F. Memory of birth theory

1. Theory: NDEs are memories of birth (the tunnel, the light, loved ones, bliss)

2. Argument: Unconscious brains are unable to function while unconscious. Memories of birth cannot be retained in the memory when the unconscious brain becomes conscious. NDEs occur when the brain is unconscious, yet vivid mental images are retained. This suggests that something more is going on than a memory of birth.

3. Argument: Birth is not blissful for babies.

G. Afterlife theory

1. Theory: NDEs are experiences of life after death.

2. Argument: The scientific method cannot confirm this.

V. Evidence of the Afterlife theory of NDEs

A. Veridical evidence (verifiable)

1. Pam Reynolds describes her surgery when dead

2. Events described by NDErs are verified

3. Dr. Tart's subject brings back the correct number

B. People born blind can see during an NDE

C. Unbiased children have NDEs similar to adults

D. NDErs have profound side-effects