Out-of-body experiences and near-death experiences are often hard to believe. The idea of someone being so close to death that they experience seeing their lifeless body being resuscitated by medics and doctors; and sometimes experiencing impossible encounters with deceased relatives or religious figures to some may seem utterly ridiculous. However, reading and researching this topic, in my opinion has brought to light the existence and legitimacy of these extraordinary experiences.

Near-death and out-ofbody experiences seem almost impossible until you look at the scientific side of them. Seeing the scientific connections to these experiences, viewing and mapping the brain activity and what chemicals are released while experiencing something outof body. This has increased my belief in out of body and near death phenomena.

Without having experienced an out-of-body or neardeath experience, they seem far-fetched and made up. However, many studies support the scientific legitimacy of these experiences. There have been studies performed on people who have recently come out of comas, as well studies regarding people who have had serious brain injury and experienced something profound while healing. The injured brain often undergoes something incredible; the patient can have an out of body experience, which the patient often remembers after recovering.

Besides understanding the scientific side of these experiences, it is important to consider a more significant and spiritual connection. While researching these phenomena, I discovered that many of these people experienced something that was very influential and affected their life drastically after their recovery. These experiences can be very profound and influential, and help the person understand something that their subconscious has been trying to tell them. Out-of-body and neardeath experiences can leave a chemical imprint on the brain, and also leave a much more profound psychological imprint. Why do certain people experience something out-of-body and survive? Is there a connection to what they experienced while close to death and how they have been living their life?

Cailin Darling

Hyde School