| Reference code: | PT/FB/BL-2020-181.04 |
| Location: | BF-GMS
|
Title:
| “Outside the matrix.” Dreaming after near-death experiences: A qualitative analysis
|
| Publication year: | 2025
|
URL:
| https://doi.org/10.1037/cns0000454
|
| Abstract/Results: | ABSTRACT:
Near-death experiences (NDEs) have been consistently associated with a range of psychophysical aftereffects, including those related to sleep and dreaming. Enhanced dream recall, more vivid dreams, increased lucid dreaming, as well as changed attitudes toward sleep and dreaming have been previously reported; however, existing data are predominantly quantitative. The following study applied a qualitative phenomenological approach to achieve deeper and more complex insights into the structure, characteristics, and meanings associated with dream experiences following NDEs. Thirteen individuals who had experienced an NDE took part in a series of semistructured interviews to explore their dreaming life, including perceived changes after the NDE. Three main themes were constructed. “Dreaming beyond boundaries” describes psi-adjacent experiences that encompassed past-life and precognitive dreams, lucid dreaming, out-of-body-experiences, and dreams with the deceased. “Dysphoric dreams” outlines dreams consisting of extreme negative imagery and affect that directly or symbolically captured elements of the NDE or associated near-death event. “Dreams as teachers” describes a heightened reverence for “dream intelligence” as both a mirror and a compass for guiding personal growth and development. Findings reflect broader shifts in participants’ personal identity, spirituality, and perceptions of reality, a process often initiated by the NDE itself and then maintained and enhanced through dream states. Future research may wish to focus on integration resources for experiencers, while continuing to explore the intersection of NDEs and dreaming, particularly in relation to their potential to inform nonlocal models of consciousness.
|
| Accessibility: | Document exists in file
|
Language:
| eng
|
Author:
| Lindsay, N.
|
Secondary author(s):
| Brough, N., Gibson, R., O'Sullivan, L., Tassell-Matamua, N.
|
Document type:
| Article
|
Number of reproductions:
| 3
|
Reference:
| Lindsay, N., Brough, N., Gibson, R., O'Sullivan, L., & Tassell-Matamua, N. (2025). “Outside the matrix.” Dreaming after near-death experiences: A qualitative analysis. Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/cns0000454
|
| 2-year Impact Factor: | 1.5|2024
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| Impact factor notes: | Impact factor not available yet for 2025
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| Times cited: | 0|2025-12-16
|
| Indexed document: | Yes
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| Quartile: | Q3
|
| Keywords: | Near-death experiences / Dreaming / Anomalous Dreams / Lucid dreaming
|
“Outside the matrix.” Dreaming after near-death experiences: A qualitative analysis |