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NDE is altered state of consciousness reproduced by Ketamine via blockade of a glutamate (N-Methyl D appartate NMDA) receptor over. activation of these receptors by a glutamate flood occurs under the same conditions which precipitate NDEs resulting in neuro toxicity. Ketamine prevents this neurotoxicity.
Endogenous substance in te brain (e.g. endopsychosins have similar actions to Ketamine conditions which trigger an NDE may also trigger an endopsychosin flood to protect cells. The NDE is a side effect on consciousness with psychological functions. NDE is altered state of consc. (Stevenson & Greyson sebom Ring Jensen Irrespective of religious beliefs the NDE can never be evidence for life after death on logical grounds. Death is defined as the final irreversible end & anyone who returned did not by definition die. Mind is produced by brain. The effects on the mind of adding drugs to the brain & the religious experience which sometimes result provide further evidence (Grinspoon & Bakalar)
Morse noted contradiction which after life must resolve that spirit rises out of body experience leaving the brain behind but somehow still • incorporating neuronal functions such as sight hearing & proprioception NDE can be reproduced be Ketamine.
Imp. Of NMDA receptors in cerebral cortex temporal & frontal lobe, role of these sites in cognitive processing memory & perception, their role in epilepsy psychoses, hypoxit, ischemic & epileptic cell damage (excitotoxycity) prevention of this damage in Ketamine & discovery of subst. in the brain called endopsychosis which bind to the same site as Ketamine. NDE typically include a sense of ineffability is real that one is actually dead & feeling of calm & peace or fear & panicky. There may be analgesia apparent clarity of thought a perception of separation from body, hallucinations of landscapes, being such as angels people including partners, parents teachers, friends, religions & mystical figures hearing noises.
Ketamine is short acting, hallucinogenic, dissociative anaesthetic Ketamine & phencydine (PCP) are aryl-cydo-hexyl-amines. It is relatively safe an uncontrolled drug in most countries & remains in use as an anaesthetic-(white). The effects are different from the psychedelic drugs such as L.S.D. Ketamine can reproduce features like NDE from rapid trips through dark tunnels into light & connection that one is dead, seeing spirits telepathic communion with God & auditory & visual hallucination, out of body experience, mystical status, peace & tranquility occasional frightening, becoming disembodied mind or soul, dying & going another world. Childhood events may be relived, loss of contact with ordinary reality, dissociative experience NDE effect closely match
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