ABSTRACT
Near-death experiences (or NDEs) were popularised by the publication of Raymond Moody's Life After Life in 1975. In many cases the experiences were difficult to talk about but they often left the people changed for the better – reportedly less materialistic and with reduced fear of death. In 1982, Carr first suggested that endorphins could account for the NDE. NDEs also appear to be widespread through many ages and cultures. Endorphins are released under stress, including both actual physical trauma and extreme fear, such as the fear of dying. In 1997, Jansen has argued that endorphins are not potent hallucinogens and have a long-lasting effect that is quite unlike an NDE. Hypercarbia is also thought to play a role in NDEs and has long been known to induce visions, lights, mystical experiences and out-of-body experiences.
