- Patients in cardiac arrest may have lucid experiences, according to a study.
- Survivors shared accounts of near death experiences, ranging from seeing demons to overwhelming calm.
- Some remembered the sensation of CPR or hearing their family members.
People who experienced near death during cardiac arrest shared their stories with researchers. Some described experiences reminiscent of movies, while others were more nightmarish.
One patient in cardiac arrest reported seeing “demons and monsters trying to tear off my body parts,” according to a study conducted by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. The study, published in the journal Resuscitation on September 14, defined cardiac arrest as “absent heartbeat and respiration, requiring CPR.”
The study collected accounts from 28 interviews with survivors of cardiac arrest and 126 self-reported near death experiences. The participants were primarily from the US and UK. The aim of the study was to understand the range of lucid experiences individuals can have during cardiac arrest and CPR.
The study found that only 10% of patients who suffered cardiac arrest were successfully revived. However, one in four of the interviewed survivors reported some level of consciousness or dreamlike experience during CPR, despite showing no physical signs of awareness.
In addition, the research team observed brain activity in some patients during CPR. They identified gamma, delta, theta, alpha, and beta waves, suggesting the presence of mental function.
Lead author Dr. Sam Parnia, an associate professor at NYU Langone Health, explained to NBC: “There’s nothing more extreme than cardiac arrest because they’re literally teetering between life and death, they’re in a deep coma and they don’t respond to us physically at all. What we’re able to show is that up to 40% of people actually have a perception of having been conscious to some extent.”
Survivors’ Awareness and Memories
The study categorized the patients’ memories into four themes: consciousness during CPR, consciousness in the post-resuscitation period, dream/dream-like experiences, and near death experiences involving deceased loved ones.
Some survivors were aware of their surroundings during CPR, feeling the pressure on their chest or hearing their name being called by family members. Others reported dream-like experiences that were often frightening, involving faceless figures and unfamiliar locations.
Many near death experiences described by participants aligned with popular culture portrayals. For instance, one survivor mentioned a sensation of moving through a tunnel and feeling overwhelming calm and comfort. Another survivor felt disconnected from their body, floating without physicality.
One survivor reported being given a choice to return or stay, opting to return to their body for the sake of their children. Another recalled being in the presence of a being of light exuding warmth and love. They also had glimpses of their life and experienced pride, love, joy, and sadness.
“I thought I heard my grandma [who is dead] saying ‘you need to go back’,” one survivor shared.
Since the invention of CPR in 1960, countless individuals have reported near-death experiences. Parnia noted that over the last 60 years, many people have described similar accounts of seeing a divine figure, observing their body from a higher perspective, and reflecting on their lives.
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