Age Patterns
Based on 42,500 reportsDistribution of age at time of near-death experience, among reports where age could be determined.
Children (0-12): 2,000 NDE reports
Child NDEs represent 5% of age-identified reports. They tend to have simpler element profiles — more light and peace, fewer life reviews — and are often reported by parents years after the event.
Gender Distribution
Based on 42,500 reportsSelf-reported gender among near-death experience reports where gender could be determined.
Note: 54% gender unknown
Trigger Patterns
Based on 81,053 reportsWhat events or circumstances trigger near-death experiences?
Cardiac Arrest (7,594)
Highest rates of tunnel, bright light, and life review among all triggers. The classic NDE pattern.
Drowning (1,006)
Highest rate of peace and calm among all triggers. Often described as surprisingly serene.
Suicide Attempt (3,092)
Elevated rate of hellish or distressing elements compared to other triggers.
Childbirth (1,257)
Significant overlap with shared death experiences. Often involves complications.
Element Co-occurrence Clusters
Which NDE features commonly appear together?
Classic NDE
The stereotypical NDE pattern: bright light, tunnel, meeting deceased relatives, life review, and being sent back.
Out-of-Body Exploration
Leaving the body and exploring other dimensions with enhanced perception and universal understanding.
Spiritual Encounter
Meeting divine or luminous beings, experiencing overwhelming love and cosmic oneness.
Distressing Experience
Dark voids, shadow figures, and a sense of being trapped. Correlated with suicide attempts and spontaneous onset.
Religious Background
Based on 16,000 reportsSelf-reported religious or spiritual background at time of NDE.
Distressing NDEs
Based on 2,025 reportsNot all NDEs are positive. About 2,000 NDE accounts include hellish or distressing elements.
2,025
NDEs with distressing elements (2.5% of all NDEs)
Triggers with highest distressing rates
Commonly co-occurring elements
Veridical Claims
Based on 2,800 reportsClaims of obtaining verifiable information during the NDE that was later confirmed.
2,800
Total veridical claims
24
Third-party confirmed
1,255
Self-reported verified
1,255
Unverified