Table 2.

Potential after-effects of NDEs

PERCEPTION OF SELF
Loss of fear of death Strengthened belief in life after death Feeling specially favored by God New sense of purpose or mission Heightened self esteem
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHERS
Increased compassion and love for others Lessened concern for material gain, recognition, or status Greater desire to serve others Increased ability to express feelings
ATTITUDE TOWARD LIFE
Greater appreciation of and zest for life Increased focus on the present Deeper religious faith or heightened spirituality Search for knowledge Greater appreciation for nature
PARANORMAL PHENOMENON
Out-of-body experiences Apparitions Extrasensory perception Precognition Healing Spiritual, mystical, or transcendent experiences
ALTERATIONS IN PERCEPTION/CONSCIOUSNESS
Heightened sensation Physiological alterations Unusual movements, sensations Unusual stimulation of special senses Mental changes Increased energy, decreased need for sleep
Adapted from Noyes R, Fenwick P, Holden JM et al. After-effects of pleasurable Western adult near-death experiences. In: Holden JM, Greyson B, James D (eds). The Handbook of Near-Death Experiences. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger Publishers; 2009: 46-47.