A near-death experience, or NDE, is a profound psychological experience, typically occurring in about 10% of people during a physical or emotional trauma, a life-threatening health crisis, or actual clinical death.

Thousands of documented cases of NDEs challenge some basic assumptions of mainstream psychology, medicine and philosophy. For example, some people who have an NDE are able to report accurately events that occurred around their bodies when they had no detectable brain activity or heartbeat. Experiencers also sometimes report knowledge previously unknown to them that is later verified as accurate. Unlike dreams and hallucinations, NDEs have a consistent internal structure, and cross-culturally, they reflect universal elements. And finally, the aftereffects are enduring and life-altering to a much greater extent than for the majority of people who experience similar health crises without an NDE.

Founded in 1981, the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) is the only organization in the world devoted exclusively to the study of the Near-Death Experience and the Near-Death-Like Experience. Through building global understanding of NDEs through research, education and support, our mission is to make NDEs and related experiences a part of the common wisdom, enriching the human search for meaning and inspiring a better world.  Becoming a member provides the financial support for this mission while IANDS keeps members up-to-date on breaking research and news. Join today and start receiving all the member benefits.