Article (Scientific journals)
Losing the Self in Near-Death Experiences: The Experience of Ego-Dissolution.
Martial, Charlotte; Fontaine, Géraldine; Gosseries, Olivia et al.
2021In Brain Sciences, 11 (7)
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Keywords :
ego dissolution; experiencer; nature-relatedness; near-death experience; out-of-body experience; self
Abstract :
[en] 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.
Research center :
CHU de Liège-Centre du Cerveau² - ULiège
Disciplines :
Neurosciences & behavior
Author, co-author :
Martial, Charlotte  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > GIGA Consciousness - Coma Science Group
Fontaine, Géraldine
Gosseries, Olivia  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > GIGA Consciousness - Coma Science Group
Carhart-Harris, Robin
Timmermann, Christopher
Laureys, Steven  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > GIGA Consciousness - Coma Science Group
Cassol, Helena ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'aérospatiale et mécanique > Ingénierie des véhicules terrestres
Language :
English
Title :
Losing the Self in Near-Death Experiences: The Experience of Ego-Dissolution.
Publication date :
2021
Journal title :
Brain Sciences
eISSN :
2076-3425
Publisher :
MDPI AG, Basel, Switzerland
Volume :
11
Issue :
7
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Available on ORBi :
since 17 September 2021

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