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- Title
Losing the Self in Near-Death Experiences: The Experience of Ego-Dissolution.
- Authors
Martial, Charlotte; Fontaine, Géraldine; Gosseries, Olivia; Carhart-Harris, Robin; Timmermann, Christopher; Laureys, Steven; Cassol, Héléna
- Abstract
Many people who have had a near-death experience (NDE) describe, as part of it, a disturbed sense of having a "distinct self". However, no empirical studies have been conducted to explore the frequency or intensity of these effects. We surveyed 100 NDE experiencers (Near-Death-Experience Content [NDE-C] scale total score ≥27/80). Eighty participants had their NDEs in life-threatening situations and 20 had theirs not related to life-threatening situations. Participants completed the Ego-Dissolution Inventory (EDI) and the Ego-Inflation Inventory (EII) to assess the experience of ego dissolution and inflation potentially experienced during their NDE, respectively. They also completed the Nature-Relatedness Scale (NR-6) which measures the trait-like construct of one's self-identification with nature. Based on prior hypotheses, ratings of specific NDE-C items pertaining to out-of-body experiences and a sense of unity were used for correlational analyses. We found higher EDI total scores compared with EII total scores in our sample. Total scores of the NDE-C scale were positively correlated with EDI total scores and, although less strongly, the EII and NR-6 scores. EDI total scores were also positively correlated with the intensity of OBE and a sense of unity. This study suggests that the experience of dissolved ego-boundaries is a common feature of NDEs.
- Subjects
NEAR-death experiences; SELF; CONCORD
- Publication
Brain Sciences (2076-3425), 2021, Vol 11, Issue 7, p929
- ISSN
2076-3425
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/brainsci11070929