Abstract: Nina Thornburg's (1988) Near-Death Phenomena Knowledge and Attitudes Questionnaire was distributed to 326 randomly selected Illinois psychologists. Of 117 usable questionnaires received, the mean score for knowledge questions was 7.5 of a maximum score of 18. Respondents were most knowledgeable about near-death elements of peace, out-of-body transcendence, and tunnel/light phenomena. The mean score for the attitude portion of the instrument was 61.3 of a maximum score of 85 points for the most positive attitude. Seven percent of the respondents indicated having had a near-death experience, 19% indicated having counseling near-death experiencers, and 28% indicated having had personal contacts with an experiencer.

Review of the book "The Return from Silence: A Study of Near-Death Experiences" by D. Scott Rogo, which gives an overview of near-death experiences.

Article discussing empirical questions about near-death experiences (NDEs) that can be explored by the scientific method. Scientific study poses risks both to NDErs and to our understanding of the NDE itself. However, because the NDE allows unique access to information about consciousness and death, those risks are outweighed by the benefits to NDErs and to humanity derived from a scientific description of NDErs.

Quarterly journal publishing papers related to near-death experiences, including research reports; theoretical or conceptual statements; expressions of a scientific, philosophic, religious, or historical perspective on the study of near-death experiences; cross-cultural studies; individual case histories; and personal accounts of experiences or related phenomena.

Letter from William J. Serdahely to the editor of the Journal of Near-Death Studies on the topic "The Near-Death Experience of a Culture."

Letter from V. Krishnan to the editor discussing the lack of evidence in a previously published article by John White (1987).

Study examining the incidence of reports of psychic phenomena and associated beliefs both before and after the near-death experience (NDE). The near-death experiencers interviewed reported no more psychic phenomena before the NDE than the general population. There was a statistically significant increase following the NDE in the incidence of 14 of 15 items examined.

Review of the book "After the Beyond: Human Transformation and the Near-Death Experience" written by Charles P. Flynn, which contains a series of personal accounts from persons who had near-death experiences.

Review of the book "Death, Intermediate State, and Rebirth in Tibetan Buddhism" written by Lati Rinbochay and Jeffrey Hopkins based on Tibetan texts regarding traditions about death and afterlife.

Abstract: The author reviews aspects of the out-of-body experience (OBE) related to psychic experiences and personality traits, and describes a continuum of experiences of altered mind/body perception, from the prototypical OBE on the healthy end to schizophrenia and organic brain syndromes on the other end. The impact of the OBE on the individual's life is described, with suggestions for a psychoeducational approach to the clinical management of the patient with an OBE to allow maximum growth from the consciousness-expanding effects of the experience.

Article presenting theoretical perspectives on the event and process of death.

Quarterly journal publishing papers related to near-death experiences, including research reports; theoretical or conceptual statements; expressions of a scientific, philosophic, religious, or historical perspective on the study of near-death experiences; cross-cultural studies; individual case histories; and personal accounts of experiences or related phenomena.

Letter from Raymond C. Babb to the editor of the Journal of Near-Death Studies on the topic "Hypnotic Induction of Experiences."

Abstract: Prior hypotheses as to the etiology of near-death experiences (NDEs) have been limited to psychiatric explanations or brief discussions of endorphins as causative agents. We present a neurophysiological explanation for NDEs based on their similarities with lysergic acid-, ketamine-, and hypercampnia-induced hallucinations. We believe the core NDE is genetically imprinted and triggered by serotonergic mechanisms.

Article describing several theories to account for the origin of tunnel hallucinations and tunnel experiences near death: (1) the idea of a "real" tunnel; (2) representations of transition; (3) reliving birth memories; (4) imagination; and (5) physiological origins. Three different physiological theories are considered that relate the tunnel form to the structure of the visual cortex.

Article presenting commentary on a neurobiological model proposed by Juan C. Saavedra-Aguilar and Juan S. Gómez-Jeria, which discusses the clinical similarities between temporal lobe seizures and near-death experiences (NDEs). Dr. Morse presents notes regarding his own research with colleagues based on similarities with various neurotransmitters.

Article outlining the author's opinions and comments regarding a paper written by Juan C. Saavedra-Aguilar and Juan S. Gómez-Jeria, which approaches near-death experiences from a biological/neurological standpoint rather than a spiritual one.

Article outlining the author's opinions and comments regarding a paper written by Juan C. Saavedra-Aguilar and Juan S. Gómez-Jeria, which approaches near-death experiences from a biological/neurological standpoint rather than a spiritual one.

Article outlining the author's opinions and comments regarding a paper written by Juan C. Saavedra-Aguilar and Juan S. Gómez-Jeria, which approaches near-death experiences from a biological/neurological standpoint rather than a spiritual one.

Article outlining the author's opinions and comments regarding a paper written by Juan C. Saavedra-Aguilar and Juan S. Gómez-Jeria, which approaches near-death experiences from a biological/neurological standpoint rather than a spiritual one.

Article outlining the author's opinions and comments regarding a paper written by Juan C. Saavedra-Aguilar and Juan S. Gómez-Jeria, which approaches near-death experiences from a biological/neurological standpoint rather than a spiritual one.

Article outlining the author's opinions and comments regarding a paper written by Juan C. Saavedra-Aguilar and Juan S. Gómez-Jeria, which approaches near-death experiences from a biological/neurological standpoint rather than a spiritual one.

Article outlining the author's opinions and comments regarding a paper written by Juan C. Saavedra-Aguilar and Juan S. Gómez-Jeria, which approaches near-death experiences from a biological/neurological standpoint rather than a spiritual one.

Article outlining the author's opinions and comments regarding a paper written by Juan C. Saavedra-Aguilar and Juan S. Gómez-Jeria, which approaches near-death experiences from a biological/neurological standpoint rather than a spiritual one.