- Jeffrey Long is an esteemed radiation oncologist based in Kentucky.
- In addition to his medical practice, he is the founder of the Near-Death Experience Research Foundation.
- Long attributes his study of near-death experiences to enhancing his abilities as a cancer doctor.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jeffrey Long. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Thirty-seven years ago, as a resident specializing in oncology, I delved into the world of cancer treatment using radiation. At that time, information was sought through visits to libraries rather than the convenience of the internet. Amidst my research, I stumbled upon an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association that shed light on near-death experiences.
My understanding of life and death was confronted by what I read. Previously, my medical training taught me that an individual was either alive or deceased. The concept of an in-between stage was foreign to me. However, this article, written by a cardiologist, described patients who had died and then miraculously revived, recounting vivid and extraordinary experiences.
From that pivotal moment onward, I became captivated by near-death experiences (NDEs). To clarify, I define an NDE as either a comatose state or clinical death, during which an individual experiences a lucid journey and perceives sights, sounds, emotions, and interactions with other entities. My exploration of these experiences fundamentally altered my perspective on the nature of the universe.
Near-death experiences reveal common threads
Upon completing my residency, I established the Near-Death Experience Research Foundation. My primary objective was to collect accounts of NDEs and evaluate them with the rigor of a scientist and doctor. Initially, I approached this research with skepticism, relying on evidence to form my opinions. However, the sheer weight of evidence led me to firmly believe in the existence of an afterlife.
While each NDE is unique, I discovered recurring patterns and events that unfolded in a predictable sequence. Approximately 45% of individuals who have had an NDE report an out-of-body experience. During this phenomenon, their consciousness detaches from their physical body, often assuming a hovering presence. In this state, they observe and hear the unfolding events, including frantic attempts to resuscitate them. Astonishingly, one woman even witnessed a doctor mistakenly dropping a tool, a detail that the doctor later confirmed.
Following the out-of-body experience, individuals describe being transported into another dimension. Many describe passing through a tunnel and encountering a brilliant light. They are then greeted by deceased loved ones, including beloved pets, who appear youthful and vibrant. Most people overwhelming report a profound sense of love and tranquility, perceiving this alternate realm as their true home.
No scientific explanation for these experiences has emerged
Although these experiences may seem trite due to their cultural ubiquity, such descriptions have become tropes because they accurately depict the essence of NDEs. I have even conducted studies involving children under the age of five who had NDEs and found they reported similar experiences to those recounted by adults. Given their tender age, it is highly unlikely that they would have been influenced by the concept of bright lights and tunnels associated with death.
Notably, individuals have reported seemingly unbelievable events during NDEs, which we have been able to corroborate afterwards. For instance, one woman lost consciousness while riding her horse along a trail. Her body remained on the trail, while her consciousness traveled alongside her horse as it galloped back to the stable. Later, she accurately described the events at the stable, despite her physical body not being present. The veracity of her account was confirmed by others who had not spoken to her previously.
As a medical doctor, I have extensively studied brain research and explored all possible explanations for NDEs. Regrettably, none of these explanations hold water. There is no remotely plausible physical explanation for this phenomenon.
I have also delved into fear-death experiences, such as near-miss car accidents
While my primary focus is on NDEs, I am equally fascinated by “fear-death” experiences. These instances involve situations where individuals perceive an imminent threat to their lives, such as near-miss car accidents or sudden falls. Although individuals in fear-death scenarios do not typically experience the tunnel and light commonly associated with NDEs, they often report their lives “flashing before their eyes.”
While life reviews are occasionally reported by individuals who have had NDEs, they are more prevalent among those who have experienced fear-death encounters. Individuals often recall events from early childhood that they cannot consciously remember, but can be confirmed through subsequent conversations with family members and others.
Studying NDEs has enriched my role as a cancer doctor
Despite my fervent interest in NDEs, my day-to-day profession remains centered around helping patients in their battles against cancer. I refrain from discussing my NDE research with my patients. However, the insights I have gained from studying NDEs have allowed me to become a more compassionate and empathetic doctor.
I am better equipped to support my patients as they confront life-threatening illnesses with increased courage and determination. My objective is to help them maximize their quality of life during their time on Earth. Importantly, I firmly believe that when the time comes for them to pass, they will find peace.
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