What Really Happens in a Near-Death Experience?
- Yiğit Kurtuluş
- Sep 10
- 2 min read
Exploring the NEPTUNE model of consciousness at the edge of life
Near-death experiences (NDEs) have captured human imagination for centuries. People who survive cardiac arrest, trauma, or life-threatening events often describe traveling through tunnels of light, floating above their bodies, or feeling an overwhelming sense of peace. But what if these experiences weren’t mystical visions, but instead the result of very real brain processes?
A recent neuroscience review introduces a new model—NEPTUNE—that sheds light on how the brain creates such extraordinary experiences at the threshold of life and death.
Crisis in the Brain
When the body is pushed to its limit—through cardiac arrest, suffocation, or trauma—the brain is deprived of oxygen and nutrients. Within seconds, blood flow drops, carbon dioxide rises, and the brain’s chemical balance is disrupted. Rather than shutting down instantly, the brain enters a chaotic “crisis mode” where some regions flare with unusual activity.
The Brain on Overdrive
Surprisingly, even under extreme stress, areas of the brain tied to self-awareness, memory, and sensory integration become hyperactive. This overdrive may explain why people feel detached from their body, vividly recall past events, or perceive “super-real” experiences.
A Chemical Storm
During this critical phase, the brain releases a surge of neurotransmitters:
Serotonin (5-HT2A receptors) → intense visuals, dream-like imagery
Dopamine → heightened emotions, feelings of meaning
Endorphins & GABA → deep calm and peace
Noradrenaline & acetylcholine → encoding of powerful, long-lasting memories
This cocktail mirrors what happens during psychedelic experiences, which may explain why NDEs feel vivid, colorful, and transformative.
Evolutionary Roots
Some researchers suggest that NDEs may have an evolutionary function. Just as animals play dead (thanatosis) when threatened, humans may experience a “psychological escape” that reduces fear and stress in life-threatening situations. In other words, NDEs might be an ancient survival strategy.
Not Just About Dying
Interestingly, NDE-like states can also occur in situations that don’t involve death at all—such as fainting (syncope), extreme stress, or under the influence of psychedelics. This suggests that NDEs are not exclusively tied to dying, but to how the brain perceives extreme threat.
Memories That Last a Lifetime
Unlike ordinary dreams, NDEs are often remembered with crystal clarity. Survivors describe them as “more real than real life.” This may be because stress-related neurochemicals enhance memory formation, locking these experiences into long-term storage.
The NEPTUNE Model
The NEPTUNE model integrates psychology, neurobiology, and evolutionary theory to explain near-death experiences. It suggests that NDEs arise from:
1. Neurochemical surges
2. Evolutionary defense mechanisms
3. Psychological and cultural interpretation
Together, these factors create the powerful, often life-changing experiences reported by survivors.
Conclusion
Science is unraveling the mystery of near-death experiences, but mystery still remains. Whether you see them as the last fireworks of a dying brain or a glimpse into something beyond, NDEs remind us that human consciousness is far more resilient—and enigmatic—than we ever imagined.
