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ketamine_and_near_death_experience [2007-06-12 12:56] – external edit 127.0.0.1ketamine_and_near_death_experience [2007-06-12 13:34] – nik
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 Within a scientific paradigm, it is not possible that "the spirit rises out of the body leaving the brain behind, but somehow still incorporating neuronal functions such as sight, hearing, and proprioception" (Morse, 1989). To believe that this is possible, we must leave the realm of science and adopt a wholly different paradigm. Within a scientific paradigm, it is not possible that "the spirit rises out of the body leaving the brain behind, but somehow still incorporating neuronal functions such as sight, hearing, and proprioception" (Morse, 1989). To believe that this is possible, we must leave the realm of science and adopt a wholly different paradigm.
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 Hearing noises during the initial part of the NDE has been described - the significance of this feature will be discussed later (Noyes and Kletti, 1976a; Morse et al., 1985; Osis and Haraldsson, 1977; Greyson and Stevenson, Hearing noises during the initial part of the NDE has been described - the significance of this feature will be discussed later (Noyes and Kletti, 1976a; Morse et al., 1985; Osis and Haraldsson, 1977; Greyson and Stevenson,
  
- 1. ; Ring, 1980; Sabom, 1982; Greyson, 1983).+1.; Ring, 1980; Sabom, 1982; Greyson, 1983).
  
 Ring (1980) classified NDE's on a 5 stage continuum: Ring (1980) classified NDE's on a 5 stage continuum:
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- 1. entering a transitional world of darkness (rapid movements through tunnels: 'the tunnel experience');+1. entering a transitional world of darkness (rapid movements through tunnels: 'the tunnel experience');
  
 4. emerging into bright light; and 4. emerging into bright light; and
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- 1. 'entering the light'.+1. 'entering the light'.
  
  
  
- 1. % experienced stage 1, but only 10% attained stage 5 (Ring, 1980).+1. % experienced stage 1, but only 10% attained stage 5 (Ring, 1980).
  
 As might be predicted in a mental state with a neurobiological origin, mundane accounts with less symbolic meaning also occur, e.g. children who may 'see' their school fellows rather than God and angels (Morse, 1985). As might be predicted in a mental state with a neurobiological origin, mundane accounts with less symbolic meaning also occur, e.g. children who may 'see' their school fellows rather than God and angels (Morse, 1985).
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 The intravenous administration of 50 - 100 mg of ketamine can reproduce all of the features which have commonly been associated with NDE's. Intramuscular administration also results in NDE's, but events evolve at a slower pace and are longer lasting (Domino et al., 1965; Rumpf ,1969; Collier, 1972; Siegel,1978, 1980,1981; Stafford, 1977; Lilly, The intravenous administration of 50 - 100 mg of ketamine can reproduce all of the features which have commonly been associated with NDE's. Intramuscular administration also results in NDE's, but events evolve at a slower pace and are longer lasting (Domino et al., 1965; Rumpf ,1969; Collier, 1972; Siegel,1978, 1980,1981; Stafford, 1977; Lilly,
  
- 1. ; Grinspoon and Bakalar, 1981; White, 1982; Ghoniem et al., 1985; Sputz, 1989; Jansen, 1989a,b, 1990b, 1993,+1. ; Grinspoon and Bakalar, 1981; White, 1982; Ghoniem et al., 1985; Sputz, 1989; Jansen, 1989a,b, 1990b, 1993,
  
- 2. , 1996).+2. , 1996).
  
 Mounting evidence suggests that the reproduction/induction of NDE's by ketamine is not simply an interesting coincidence. Mounting evidence suggests that the reproduction/induction of NDE's by ketamine is not simply an interesting coincidence.
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 Much has been made of the apparent mystery surrounding the occasional ability of cardiac arrest survivors to describe the resuscitation in detail (Sabom, 1982). It is worth noting that ketamine can permit sufficient sensory input to allow accounts of procedures during which the patient appeared wholly unconscious (Siegel, 1981; Hejja and Galloon, 1975).These reports are not regarded by anaesthetists as particularly mysterious. Much has been made of the apparent mystery surrounding the occasional ability of cardiac arrest survivors to describe the resuscitation in detail (Sabom, 1982). It is worth noting that ketamine can permit sufficient sensory input to allow accounts of procedures during which the patient appeared wholly unconscious (Siegel, 1981; Hejja and Galloon, 1975).These reports are not regarded by anaesthetists as particularly mysterious.
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 the other statements are strongly supported by experimental data published in leading journals (Benveniste et al.,1984; Simon et al., 1984; Ben-Ari, 1985; King and Dingledine, 1986; Lobner and Lipton, 1990; Rothman et al., the other statements are strongly supported by experimental data published in leading journals (Benveniste et al.,1984; Simon et al., 1984; Ben-Ari, 1985; King and Dingledine, 1986; Lobner and Lipton, 1990; Rothman et al.,
  
- 1. ; Westerberg et al., 1987; Hoyer and Nitsch, 1989).+1.; Westerberg et al., 1987; Hoyer and Nitsch, 1989).
  
 Endogenous substances have been found in the brain which bind to the PCP receptor, one of which is a peptide called 'alpha-endopsychosin' (Quirion et al., 1984). However, this is a controversial area of research. We do know that ions such as magnesium and zinc can block the channel, and it may be that a flood of ions occurs rather than large molecules such as peptides. Endogenous substances have been found in the brain which bind to the PCP receptor, one of which is a peptide called 'alpha-endopsychosin' (Quirion et al., 1984). However, this is a controversial area of research. We do know that ions such as magnesium and zinc can block the channel, and it may be that a flood of ions occurs rather than large molecules such as peptides.
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 Like endorphins, serotonergic effects may be contributory but do not play a central role in producing NDE's. Psychedelic drugs such as LSD and DMT are serotonergic in action. The psychedelic mental state is very different from the NDE. One of the most important differences is that LSD frequently involves an overwhelming increase in sensory input from the environment (review: Grinspoon and Bakalar, 1981), in sharp contrast to the dramatic decrease in input, the cataleptic dissociation produced by ketamine. Psychedelic visual phenomena are largely based in the environment, and bear little relationship to the dream-like images of ketamine and the NDE. Ketamine removes the mind from the environment altogether. The 'ego dissolution' experienced on LSD has a very different quality from the conviction of having died which may arise with ketamine, and loss of contact with the environment leading rapidly to the 'tunnel experience' is not a typical psychedelic drug effect, although it may occur. Like endorphins, serotonergic effects may be contributory but do not play a central role in producing NDE's. Psychedelic drugs such as LSD and DMT are serotonergic in action. The psychedelic mental state is very different from the NDE. One of the most important differences is that LSD frequently involves an overwhelming increase in sensory input from the environment (review: Grinspoon and Bakalar, 1981), in sharp contrast to the dramatic decrease in input, the cataleptic dissociation produced by ketamine. Psychedelic visual phenomena are largely based in the environment, and bear little relationship to the dream-like images of ketamine and the NDE. Ketamine removes the mind from the environment altogether. The 'ego dissolution' experienced on LSD has a very different quality from the conviction of having died which may arise with ketamine, and loss of contact with the environment leading rapidly to the 'tunnel experience' is not a typical psychedelic drug effect, although it may occur.
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 The event can be a pivotal turning point, encouraging significant and positive life changes. Suicide attempts which result in 'transcendental' NDE's may be followed by a reduced risk of subsequently committing suicide (Greyson, The event can be a pivotal turning point, encouraging significant and positive life changes. Suicide attempts which result in 'transcendental' NDE's may be followed by a reduced risk of subsequently committing suicide (Greyson,
  
- 1. ).+1.).
  
 In contrast, in those who attempt suicide considered as a complete group, the subsequent risk for completed suicide is 50 -100 times greater (Greyson, 1983). Of those who survived a jump from the Golden Gate bridge and had such an NDE, none went on to completed suicide, and all were united in their support for a barrier to prevent further attempts ( Rosen, 1975). This occurred despite an increased belief in an after-life. Psychodynamic explanations have centered around the idea of 'ego death' followed by 'rebirth' (Greyson, 1981). In contrast, in those who attempt suicide considered as a complete group, the subsequent risk for completed suicide is 50 -100 times greater (Greyson, 1983). Of those who survived a jump from the Golden Gate bridge and had such an NDE, none went on to completed suicide, and all were united in their support for a barrier to prevent further attempts ( Rosen, 1975). This occurred despite an increased belief in an after-life. Psychodynamic explanations have centered around the idea of 'ego death' followed by 'rebirth' (Greyson, 1981).
  • ketamine_and_near_death_experience.txt
  • Last modified: 2015-03-13 11:44
  • by nik