The white light

[TeleMad]

Here's a link to a page that gives a pretty good explanation of NDEs in materialistic (physiological, biochemical, psychological) terms.

http://neardeath.home.comcast.net/nde/001_pages/08.html

Here's a short snippet:

It appears that, rather than any spiritual journey or other world phenomenon, NDEs may be best understood by examining human physiology, neurochemistry, and psychology. At this time, there is strong research evidence to indicate that many of the symptoms of NDEs may be caused by anoxia, or a lack of oxygen to the brain.

[RiverRat]

An interesting rebuttal to… “ proved, scientifically, that NDE’s are hallucinations caused by brain activity.”

http://www.near-death.com/experiences/articles001.html

[TeleMad]

A rebuttal by someone is at least as biased as the author he rebuts.

I didn't make it all the way through, and I doubt others will either, so if there is some specific point you want to make, can you post it.

I'll return to quoting some material from the link I posted.

In the human visual system, for example, neurons (brain cells) deprived of oxygen will start to fire out of control. Since the majority of the cells in our visual cortex (the portion of the brain where visual information is processed) respond to stimulation in the central visual field, the result is a white spot in the center with fewer cells firing out of control in the periphery. As oxygen deprivation continues, the white spot grows and the sensation of moving through a tunnel toward a white light is produced. Similarly, it is possible that the life review process is a result of depriving the temporal lobes of oxygen. When the temporal lobes of the brain, an area largely involved in memory production, are deprived of oxygen, neurotransmitters are released and massive electrical activity ensues. In laboratory research, when people's temporal lobes are stimulated with electrodes, many subjects experience the reliving of memories, out of body experiences, and even the sensation of moving through a tunnel toward a light. Oxygen deprivation can also affect the limbic system, which contains the seat of emotions in the brain. The intensely pleasurable feelings of love and well-being that accompany moving toward the light may therefore be a consequence of increased activity in the limbic system.

Sounds reasonable, and since there is no legitimate evidence of a soul or an afterlife, Ockham's razor has us reject the soul-based explanation in favor of the rational one.

[C1ay]

Originally Posted by RiverRat

An interesting rebuttal to… “ proved, scientifically, that NDE’s are hallucinations caused by brain activity.”

http://www.near-death.com/experiences/articles001.html

Not really interesting at all. Greg Stone is simply stating why he does not believe in Susan Blackmore's hypothesis. From your own link,

I have not claimed that any of my work proves the Dying Brain Hypothesis. In fact no amount of research ever could. The most I could hope to do, and in fact what I tried to do in Dying to Live, is to show that we can account for all the major features of the NDE without recourse to such ideas as a spirit, a soul, or life after death. -Susan Blackmore

She never claimed her theory was proven scientifically. As for Mr. Stone's critique, he has effectively stated what he believes the competition's product does not do without telling you one thing that his company's product does do. Does he have a published hypothesis of his own to review?

[RiverRat]

From the rebuttal in question…

This primary and most basic tenet of the Afterlife Hypothesis—that spirit (and consciousness) separate from the body—deserves primary attention, but Blackmore instead addresses tangential arguments.

Failing to formulate a clear and concise statement of what must be demonstrated to support each hypothesis, she fails to test clear assumptions and ends up concluding neither has proof, after which she expresses her feeling the Dying Brain Hypothesis must be right. Skeptics make the mistake of claiming scientific proof when Blackmore offers only opinion.

In the first chapter, in quotes provided by NDErs, specific references are made to being "outside his/her body." NDEs, we learn, sometimes include the observation of actual proceedings, such as operations, viewed from unusual vantage points. This important point evidence, the very essence of the Afterlife Hypothesis, is ignored at this early stage in the text

.

Blackmore later states in her own words …

"Some very strong claims are made. The implication is always the same; that people during NDEs have actually seen the events occurring from a location outside their bodies. 'They' have left their bodies and that is why they can accurately see what is going on. If these claims are valid then the theory I am developing is wrong...."

These claims are actual accounts, the data exists and studies revolve around the whole aspect of a NDE being a ‘dualistic’ experience. There are even documented accounts of the blind from birth giving vivid replays of the ‘physical aspects’ surrounding their resuscitation.

It seems to me that a flippant renouncing of these studies may stem from the idea that these experiences are an attempt to justify a ‘God’ or some ‘religious doctrine’. There are varying degrees of accounts ranging from elderly atheists that convert to Christianity to young children with no real worldly experience. The overwhelming majority of people that have experienced a ‘core’ NDE have been profoundly impacted for the better. I suppose that for each individual experience there will be different rationalizations (ranging from the simple … ‘we can’t claim to know everything’ to the profound … ‘God is the moving force behind the universe’).

[pgrmdave]

Have there been any neurological studies of what happens within the brain near death?

[Turtle]

___Alxain said, "i'm starting to wonder if this is really a science forum if all people do is link everything to gods and bibles and such."
___I saw no such reference until yours.
___Someone else refered to anecdotal evidence (I can't find it now). I remind you that the topic has its entire basis in anecdotal evidence, ie. people who "died" & subsequently revived.
___Pure & simple, all such discussion is anecdotal. It is neither evidence for nor evidence against life after death, & only remotely related to religion by that idea.

[eMTee]

Originally Posted by orbycli

... people who die and come back to life and say they saw hell. Nobody has reported that one yet.

I have herd of several of those as well...and that is the truth.

[orbsycli]

yeah that was established in later posts. and it's not truth, it's claims. reports.

[Turtle]

___One can learn something practical here perhaps; if you see the white light, don't go into it.