Media Sheet

 

About NDERF/ADCRF/OBERF


NDERF(Near Death Experience Research Foundation)  www.nderf.org
ADCRF (After Death Communication Research Foundation) www.adcrf.org
OBERF (Out of Body Experience Research Foundation)  www.oberf.org

NDERF is devoted to the study of NDE and support of those experiencing NDE and related experiences.  ADCRF is devoted to the study of after death communication and support of those experiencing an ADC, or provides a message of hope to those in grieving from loss of a loved one.  OBERF is devoted to studying the spiritual spectrum events that do not fit into the categories of NDE or ADC.  These include NDE-like experiences, out of body experiences, and spiritually transformative events. 

None of the Websites have anything for sale, nor are donations solicited.  Part of the reason for this is that the websites are a labor of love.  We are here to get the messages of continuing consciousness out to the world.  The other reason is that consciousness research is much more credible when there are no commercial interests.

MEDIA HAVEN:  SPECIAL TREAT!  Click here for a list of NDErs listed according to city, state, and country - with quick read comments!This will make it easier for finding those NDErs you want to interview or are interested in corresponding with. 

Dr. Jeff, M.D. is the founder and creator of the NDERF/ADCRF/OBERF websites.  His is the author of the New York Times Best Seller List "Evidence of the Afterlife." Dr. Jeff is a practicing physician in the specialty area of radiation oncology (the use of radiation to treat cancer).  Dr. Jeff is currently practicing in Houma, Louisiana. 

Jeff started one of the largest and most respected web sites devoted to NDE at www.nderf.org.  This web site has over 200 full text experience narratives.  As a direct result of experiences related to NDE, Jeff also started web sites devoted to After Death Communication (ADC, www.adcrf.org) and Out of Body Experience (OBE, www.oberf.org).  These two web sites have over 200 and 150 full text experiences posted respectively.

Jeff served on the Board of Directors of IANDS (International Association for Near-Death Studies).  Jeff has Chaired the IANDS Research Committee.  Jeff has discussed NDE on multiple nationally broadcast radio and television shows, most recently he was on World News with Peter Jennings.  He has been filmed on a frequently repeated segment of the "Ten Biggest Mysteries" on The Learning Channel of which NDEs were the number 1 mystery.  Jeff was also recently filmed in an episode of "Ascending with Angels," with Bob Turner.  He has also appeared on Fox Television News.  He has been on the Art Bell radio show and on Coast to Coast radio show with George Noory many times.

Jody Long is also involved in the consciousness studies with NDERF/ADCRF/OBERF.  She is author of "From Soul to Soulmate."  Jody is an attorney and an active co-investigator, and writer with the websites and related projects.  Jody gave the websites a face-lift in March 2002 and is the current webmaster of NDERF, ADCRF and OBERF.  Jody's dedication to the website and input on directions for NDERF have been important for the growth and research prominence of the websites today.  OBERF was resurrected and now is doing really well since people all over the world want to talk about and hear about other consciousness events.  The NDERF international project is very exciting because it has opened global vistas.  Consciousness can now truly be studied on a world-wide basis.  Jody has been on numerous talk radio shows.  She also served on the Seattle, Friends of IANDS, Board of Directors.  Jody has been published in a peer reviewed journal for my research.  Her research has many original components to it and serves as the basis for many new studies and ways to look at NDE and consciousness.  The research has been used as part of a curriculum in a school in England.  Dr. Kevin Nelson, University of Kentucky, was so inspired by her research he conducted a study and published in the medical journal, "Neurology."  She appears in articles in women's magazines in Sudan, Morocco, Egypt, and Argentina.  She has help countless authors, network TV and publishers in their research and publicity efforts.  The Azreal Endeavor is a collection of writings to help demystify the transition of death.  Jody has actively been involved in paranormal research for several decades and has extensive knowledge in many paranormal areas.  Additionally, she has had a couple of OBEs and personally experienced several paranormal events.  She considers the global message of peace, love, tolerance and brotherhood to be the cornerstone of the message of the NDE and to that end diligently works toward unifying others throughout the world. 

Near Death Experience Overview
 

          Although most people who have come to death say they remember nothing, around 18% later report that "something happened."  That "something" is often a near-death experience (NDE).  NDE's are relatively common.  A Gallup Poll in 1993 led to an estimate that 12 to 15 million Americans personally experienced a NDE.  As of 2001, almost 600 adults per day in the United States experience an NDE.

    There is some controversy as to how to define a NDE.  Researchers have not reached a consensus on how to define NDE.  A letter to health care professionals from IANDS (International Association for Near-Death Studies) developed a NDE definition by consensus of the IANDS Board to be: "A lucid experience associated with perceived consciousness apart from the body occurring at the time of actual or threatened death or medical compromise".  The research definition I have used is similar, and is: "A lucid experience associated with perceived consciousness apart from the body occurring at the time of actual or threatened imminent death".  NDEs may occur in adults or children.  NDEs have been reported from the time of Plato, and in a variety of cultures around the world.

    An important point is that you do not have to have physically died (with cessation of breathing and/or heart function) to have an experience like a NDE.  Experiences identical to NDE associated with clinical death have been reported in a variety of circumstances in which there was no associated life-threatening event.  Such circumstances may include, for example, non-fatal traffic accidents, mountaineering accidents, and childbirth.  Experiences similar to NDE are relatively common in terminally ill patients, and are referred to as "deathbed visions" or "nearing end of life experience".  NDEs are one part of a spectrum of significant human spiritual experiences.  An experience can be deeply significant and meaningful to the experiencer without meeting the strict definition of NDE.  Such experiences may be referred to as "NDE-like experiences".

    What is clear is that NDE is not a hallucination or mental/psychiatric dysfunction.   They are real experiences.  Virtually all NDE experiencers we encountered felt their experience was real, significant and meaningful.  When asked directly if the experience was dreamlike in any way, virtually all NDE experiencers we polled answered no.  The NDE experience has been extensively documented in medical literature.  Skeptics of NDE have not been able to find a plausible biological or physiologic explanation for NDE.  This failure on the part of skeptics explains the large number of varied and generally unaccepted alternative explanations for NDE.

        The level of consciousness during the experience was almost always described as fully alert, and often (as one experiencer described) "far more conscious than humanly normal."  These experiences seem quite apart from anything encountered in daily living.  When NDErs surveyed were asked "Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?", 81% answered no.    

We are impressed with both the similarities and dissimilarities of NDE experiences.   While some experiencers have a detailed and prolonged experience, others have a shorter and less "dramatic" experience.  We believe all NDE experiences are significant and important in our quest to learn their meaning.

No two NDE experiences are identical, but within a group of experiences certain patterns become evident.  Our most recent research is based on 315 NDEs shared directly with our web site.  NDE experiencers describe one or more of the following (the order may vary):
 
1.     Difficulty in explaining the NDE.
    Ordinary language often seems inadequate to describe these extraordinary experiences (67% in our survey).

2.     Associated life threatening event.
    The threat may be real or perceived, physical and/or psychological.

3.     Separation of consciousness from the body.
    Sensation of viewing surroundings from a place other than the physical body. Some may see their bodies, and often frantic resuscitation efforts.  They are generally able to hear what is being said, often to the considerable embarrassment of medical personnel involved in the resuscitation.  In the out of body state, they are not able to interact physically with anything or anyone.  There is often a sense of peace, and virtually never discomfort.

4.     The ability to see and hear details of events (which may be close or distant from the body) while unconscious.
    These details (which may include a pronouncement of death) are often later confirmed by others who are generally astonished and mystified that the experiencer was aware of these events while unconscious.  In our survey, NDErs were asked "Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?"  37% answered affirmatively.

5.    Experiencing intensely powerful emotions.
    These emotions may include ecstasy, fear, peace and calm.  Most NDEs are associated with very pleasant emotions, but around 18% are associated with emotions of fear, judgment, emptiness, etc.  It should be noted that positive life changes are usually associated with frightening experiences, including a near complete absence of fear of death.  The positive life changes are so significant, that most frightening NDE experiencers later say they are glad they had the experience.

6.    Hearing distinctive sounds. 
    Experiencers may report hearing a variety of unusual sounds or noise.  They may be described as pleasant, musical, buzzing or ringing.  Often music is described that is almost always beautiful beyond what is worldly possible.

7.    Passing into and through a dark tunnel. 
    The tunnel is variably described regarding its appearance and size.  We have not encountered an NDEr with a claustrophobic sense in the tunnel.  Movement in the tunnel may be described as relatively slow or extremely fast may accelerate in the tunnel.  Occasionally another being(s) accompany this tunnel passage, though usually it is traveled alone.  A bright light is usually seen at the end of the tunnel, and seems to be the destination of the travel through the tunnel.  A tunnel experience is described by 54% of NDErs surveyed.

8.    Encounter with a bright light.
    The light may be without form, or is often perceived as a being, either a spiritual being or a departed loved one.  There is usually, associated and intense feelings of love, joy, or peace associated with this encounter.  The light may be seen at a distance, or entered during the experience.  A light was seen by 69% of NDErs surveyed.

9.    Meeting others.
    The experiencer may encounter other spiritual beings or departed loved ones.  Deceased pets have been encountered as well as other animals (most often birds or butterflies).  The encounter with others is generally described as joyous and loving.  Other beings were seen by 74% of NDErs surveyed.  

10.    Life review.
    At times, experiencers are presented with a rapid panoramic review of their lives.  This life review may include brief reviews of moments of their past life, or may be extremely detailed, with a presentation of how the experiencers actions affected others around them.  At times, the experiencer will actually see and feel their actions from another persons perspective, and actually feel what the other person felt.  Some have received previously unknown information about ones life, i.e. adoption, hidden parentage or deceased siblings.  A life review occurred in 35% of NDErs surveyed.

11.    Seeing or visiting beautiful locations.
    Some experience travel to beautiful cities, libraries, gardens, pastoral scenes and shiny bodies of water.

12.    A sense of knowing universal order and purpose.
    Some experience have a sense of deep understanding of the universe and/or life's meaning and purpose.  Many NDErs state they were shown enormous knowledge, but could not return with it.  Others return with their understandings.  In describing universal order and purpose, by far the most common concept discussed is "love".  A sense of knowing special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose occurred in 62% of NDErs surveyed.

13.    Reaching a boundary.
    The boundary may be a gate, cliff, fence, water, or some other barrier which the experiencer perceives may not be crossed if they are to return to the body.  A boundary was encountered in 44% of NDErs surveyed.

14.    Awareness of future life events.
    Some experience "flash-forwards" in time to witness themselves and events at a future time.  Such visions may involve the experiencers future life, or may be more global.  Such global visions are often apocalyptic.  NDE "prophesy" has led to considerable discussion and debate.  My impression is that such prophesies are not inevitable, and are subject to change by the choices we make.  The IANDS web site (www.iands.org) has a section to post NDE associated prophecy, which may allow their prospective study.  Awareness of future events is described by 44% of NDErs surveyed.

15.    Decision to return.
    The decision to return to the physical body may be voluntary or involuntary.  If voluntary, the decision to return is often made following discussion with spiritual beings and is often associated with unfinished life lessons or responsibilities.  Whether voluntary or involuntary, feelings of sadness, loss, depression and anxiety may follow return to this life.  Involvement in a decision regarding return to the body occurred in 62% of NDErs surveyed. 

16.    Returning to the body.
    Often (but not always) feelings of pain associated with the life threatening injury return.

17.    Special gifts.
    Some experiencers report psychic or other paranormal abilities after an NDE.  Commonly described is a marked increase in intuitive ability.  Another common phenomena is "electrical sensitivity" where NDErs discover their watches stop and nearby electrical devices (often lights) go out.  There has never been a good large-scale scientific study of these phenomena.  When we asked NDErs "Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience you did not have prior to the experience?," 54% answered yes.

18.    Changes of attitudes and beliefs.
     A belief in God, loss of fear of death and a more loving interaction with others often follow an NDE.   Virtually all NDErs have no fear of death.  Some NDE experiencers establish more loving relationships.  Other NDE experiencers find their change in attitudes and beliefs may alter previously established interpersonal relationship dynamics resulting in conflict with loved ones, family and friends.  Changes in attitudes or beliefs following the NDE was described by 91% of the NDErs surveyed.

Suggested Questions for a Successful Interview

Below are a number of possible questions pertinent to NDE.  These are just suggestions, and please feel free to ask whatever you want (and in any order) at any time.  Below these questions are some material containing an overview of NDE, and an overview of our work with the Near Death Experience Research Foundation (www.nderf.org).

1.  What is a near death experience (NDE)?

2.  What typically happens during a NDE?

3.  How common is NDE?

4.  What scientific evidence is there for the cause of NDEs?

            What are the best skeptic arguments about the cause of NDEs?

            What is the best scientific conclusion about the cause of NDEs?

5.  What recent research have you done on NDEs & what did you find?

1.  Dreams, Near-Death Experiences, and Reality by Jody 3/27/03. This is a review of literature and dream studies combined with a retrospective study of near-death experiencers (NDErs) who were asked "if their experience was dreamlike in any way?"  This paper gives an overview of consciousness and altered states of consciousness as it relates to memories, recall, and narrative of experiences.  Then I compare and contrast NDEs with dreams against the backdrop of reality. 

2.  An In-Depth Study of Drowning Near-Death Experiencers by Jody 3/2/03.  This is a retrospective study of near-death experiencers who died from drowning.  The main question was whether the cause of death affected the experience in any way.  Comparisons were done between drowning and cardiac arrest victims and then cross-compared with a population of general NDEs. Since almost 70% of the drowning victims were children, age was also explored as a factor.  The data suggests that there is a statistically significant difference in the NDE according to the type of death one experiences. 

3.  Soulmates 2003 Part 5 Soulmates  by Jody 2/13/03
This is the culmination study that discusses the findings of the other 4 Soulmate studies on consciousness, beings, relationships, emotions, universal purpose, changed beliefs, and the life review.

 4.  Life Review, Changed Beliefs, Universal Order and Purpose, and the Near-Death Experience, Part 4 Soulmates by Jody 2/13/03 
This study is a retrospective review of 319 NDErs responses to questions about the near-death experience and the life review, changed beliefs, life changes, and universal order/purpose.  From the chi square test, all of these factors highly correlate with each other and make more sense when studied as a group.  This paper looks at the role of the life review in helping to understand universal purpose and subsequently the changes that people undergo after their experience. 

5.  Emotions and the Near-Death Experience Part 3 Soulmates  by Jody 2/5/03  This study is a retrospective review of 318 NDErs responses to questions about emotions during and after the NDE, and about relationships after the NDE.  Emotions are a common denominator between the physical reality and what is experienced on the other side.  The top emotions that are experienced during the NDE are peace, love, and happiness.  However, the top emotion that is experienced upon return to the body is confusion.  This paper looks at the role of emotions during and after the NDE and the role that emotions play in our earthly life. 

 6.  Healing and Paranormal Gifts: Survey Results Between NDErs and non-NDErs, by Jody 12/23/02  First of all I'd like to thank everyone who participated in this HUGE study.  We had 124 NDErs and 75 non-NDErs who participated in the survey. Without your help, we would never have such startling results to report on! The healing questions pertained to the meaning of healing, whether the participant had experienced any emotional or healing gifts and whether the timing of these gifts was before or after their NDE or other paranormal experience.  They were also asked if they had healed anyone, and if so to explain or give examples.  Past studies are reviewed.  Present tension between medicine and alternative healing is explored.  The main finding of this study is that healing and evidentiality of alternative healing depends on how a person views "healing."  Most of the time the way a person views healing is part of a larger belief system rather than a compartmentalized body of knowledge about the physical body.   

7.  Near Death Experience, Religion and Spirituality, by Jody 12/11/02  One of the last frontiers of study surrounds spirituality and NDE.  However, this is a highly sensitive issue due to the nature of religion.  What this study attempts to do is to objectively look at the data submitted by NDErs to the website and to categorize the answers.  Questions that are analyzed include pre and post NDE religious preference, and changed beliefs.  There are some surprising results that focus on universal purpose and order gained from NDE understandings.

8.  Soulmates and Consciousness, (Part 1 of Soulmate Study), by Jody 11/9/02
As a bit of background, at the IANDS annual conference in 2000, Dr. Jeff Long and I gave a presentation on our research findings regarding soulmates.  I recently started to write up the presentation.  One of the main questions I wanted to find out is if, by including the new data, the results of the study would still hold.  It turned out that we had over two times the data as when we started.  Every question analyzed had such a wealth of information contained in each sub-category that it was impossible to just write- up the Soulmate presentation.  Therefore, I have chosen to write a series of papers based upon the new data and then write a culmination paper on soulmate understandings and incorporating findings of the separate papers.

9.  The Fourth Dimension and NDEs, by Jody 11/25/02  From near death experience research, a model that fits the data is that consciousness (synonymous to soul) is a fourth dimensional construct.  This concept necessarily affects the way we view time and how we integrate consciousness with our three dimensional, earth reality.  Our science, religion, and society are all affected by how we perceive our earth reality.  This paper attempts to explain the fourth dimension by analogizing to one, two, and three dimensional concepts to what NDErs are telling us about their fourth dimensional experiences.

10.  Another Look at Beings Encountered During the Near Death Experience, (part 2 of Soulmate Study)  by Jody 11/25/02  It is a common element, unique to the NDEs experience, to report seeing deceased beings.  Frequently, those seen on the other side are religious beings or deceased relatives.  This study analyzes the beings that were seen on the other side.  The datum is broken down into the categories of familiar beings and unfamiliar beings.   Of the 302 people who responded to the survey, 29% (88) saw familiar beings and 25.8% (78) saw unfamiliar beings.  Of the 166 people who saw beings, 53% saw familiar beings, while 47% saw unfamiliar beings.  The highest percentage of familiar beings seen were blood relatives (25.9%), followed by religious figures (22.9%).  Implications are discussed against the backdrop of consciousness and the Soulmate myth of popular culture.

11.  Comparing NDEs and Dreams. 

12.  A Comparison of NDEs Occurring Before and After 1975
Results from a Web Survey of Near Death Experiencers. by Jeff Long, MD 5/18/02  The 1975 publication of Life after Life (Moody, 1975) led to wide public recognition of near death experience (NDE).  No prior study has investigated the similarities and differences of NDEs occurring before and after 1975.  Much of the earliest NDE research, in the late 1970"s and early 1980"s, would have studied NDEs occurring predominantly before 1975.  If the content and aftereffects of NDEs remained constant before and after 1975, this earliest NDE research may be considered applicable to NDEs occurring more recently.  This study uses the methodology of an Internet based questionnaire survey which has not been previously reported.  A total of 218 NDErs were surveyed.  The only statistical differences between the group with NDEs before 1975 (n=48) compared with the group with NDEs during or after 1975 (n=170) were due to expected differences in NDEr age at the time of the NDE, and age currently.  No other significant difference was found between these two groups with regard to NDE demographics, experience elements, or aftereffects studied.

13.  Review of New Swiss Study on OBEs, by Jody 9/25/02
The study was published in the British journal Nature on 9/19/02.  Several media articles were published based upon this study.  This article takes a look at: 1) the study, 2) the media coverage, and 3) critical discussion of both, the study and the media. 

          14.   Physician attitudes toward NDE by Dr. Jeff

6.  What other recent research have others done on NDE?

7.  Do blind people have NDEs?

            What does this suggest about the cause of NDE?

8.  What changes do NDErs commonly experience following the NDE?

9.  What information do NDErs bring back about the meaning of life here on earth?

            What do NDEs tell us about our earthly relationships?

10.  NDErs often have a choice to stay in a heavenly realm or return to earth.  Why "on earth" do people choose to return?

11.  What about frightening NDEs?

            How common are they, and why do they happen?

            What effect does this experience have on the experiencer?

12.  What about non-Western culture NDEs?

            Do they happen, what are they like?

13.  What is the Near Death Experience Research Foundation (www.nderf.org) web site doing?

14.  What is the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS, www.iands.org)?

15.  Are there experiences related to NDE?

            After Death Communication (www.adcrf.org)

            Out of Body Experience (www.oberf.org)
 

 What is New in Consciousness Studies?
 

e-mail:   Webmaster:  Jody A. Long

(From 10/20/02)