Scientists to Probe Near Death Experiences

Reuters ^ | Wed, Sep 10, 2003 | Jeremy Lovell

[presidio9]

Scientists probing the paranormal said on Wednesday they hoped to set up a major experiment in Britain trying to find out once and for all whether the mind can step outside the body at the brink of death.

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The proposed study would involve interviewing people who had survived cardiac arrest to see if they had had an out of body experience while on the operating table.

"Over the course of a year we hope this would give us 100 people who leave their bodies," neuropsychiatrist Peter Fenwick told reporters at the annual meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science (news - web sites).

The researchers plan to ask 25 hospitals to place special objects and pictures around their cardiac units.

Each survivor who then claimed to have an out of body experience -- where they typically hover near the ceiling watching the resuscitation process -- would be asked if they had noticed any of the objects.

"If they do notice them when the brain is not functioning then it makes the case for the mind being separate from the brain," he said.

Fenwick, whose special field is near-death experiences, said there was ample anecdotal evidence of out of body experiences, but scant data.

"These people seem to be able to get information when they are out of their bodies. People have talked of 'mind sight,"' he said.

But he accepted that if no one noticed the objects it would equally kill off the theory.

He also said there had been scientific studies proving that prayer worked, including one in which the number of women in a clinic in Seoul who conceived after being implanted with fertilized eggs doubled when groups elsewhere prayed for them.

Robert Morris, Koestler Professor of Parapsychology at the University of Edinburgh, said there was evidence that voice, touch and sight were not the only means of communication.

He said that in experiments, particularly sensitive people had been able to communicate over distance, although he readily accepted that his field was also full of cheats and liars.

[CJ Wolf]

"Missed Tech Tuesday? Become a Wireless Whiz -- get connected in every room and secure your wireless network in six steps "

Wow, I just had an out of article experience.

[maestro]

LOL.........All life (without Jesus) 'is' a near certain death experience!!........

:-)

(Romans 10:17)
(St. John 14:6)

[presidio9]

LOL

sorry

[paladinkc]

They have already been performing these same type of experiments with test pilots that go into the g force simulator machines, reportedly there were similar experiences at high g forces

[Ff--150]

Each survivor who then claimed to have an out of body experience -- where they typically hover near the ceiling watching the resuscitation process -- would be asked if they had noticed any of the objects.

:-)))) When I was up there "hovering" after that lightning strike I was asking,"Who Dat!" because we do not look anything to others like we see in the mirrors. I was U-G-L-Y LOL!

[FourtySeven]

This is what I've been proposing for years. Good to see someone finally picked up on this idea. Originally I was thinking about having the doctors and nurses in an ER wear colorful patterns on the tops of their heads (since they wear those masks anyway, that go over the top of their heads). Same concpet though.

I hope the results, positive or negative, are reported!

[sheik yerbouty]

Maybe they can figure out the'rats "out of mind experiences."

[presidio9]

the book was gripping, moving, and impossible to put down.

Even better than Flatliners? I was on the edge of my seat for that movie.

[maestro]

Be sure to read the book:

"DECEIVED by the LIGHT"
by Doug Groothius
ISBN 1-56507-301-0
Harvest Hous Pub.
Eugene, Oregon 97402
'1995'

Excellent Reading!

[presidio9]

Even better than Flatliners? I was on the edge of my seat for that movie.

Actually that's not true. I thought Flatliners sucked. Just making sure there's no confusion.

[FourtySeven]

One of the best novels I have read in the last year was Connie Willis' "Passage", the theme of which is a neuroscientist investigating near-death experiences. She's one of the best writers of science fiction currently active, and the book was gripping, moving, and impossible to put down.

Cool, thanks.

[Doctor Stochastic]

Is David Blaine the first subject?

[Grammy]

My dad had an out of body experience during heart surgery.

He told me about it once, and then would never speak of it again.

[Some hope remaining.]

When I was up there "hovering" after that lightning strike I was asking,"Who Dat!" because we do not look anything to others like we see in the mirrors. I was U-G-L-Y LOL!

Interesting. I've read more than once that an NDE'er had a hard time recognizing their own body.

[Ff--150]

Interesting. I've read more than once that an NDE'er had a hard time recognizing their own body

Yeah, I thought, "I can't let that [blankity-blank] fall or he'll die!" So I was a hero and saved a human being--me??? Series, you don't look anything like you imagine that you do.

[vollmond]

One of the best novels I have read in the last year was Connie Willis' "Passage", the theme of which is a neuroscientist investigating near-death experiences.

It's an excellent book, and one that will stick with you for a long time. It was the first thing I thought of when I saw this article. I highly recommend it.

[Ff--150]

LOL.........All life (without Jesus) 'is' a near certain death experience!!.......

Having passed over to that other side, once without Jesus, once with, the choice is easy because with Him you go straight to the Throne Room; without you just float around--lost.

[MontanaBeth]

Now that was funny.