Bridging the gap: (a)typical psychedelic and near-death experience insights

Abstract

Mystical-like states of consciousness may arise in different contexts, two of the most well-known being drug-induced psychedelic experiences and near-death experiences, which arise in potentially life-threatening contexts. We suggest and review emerging evidence that the former may model the latter in laboratory settings. This suggestion is based on their phenomenologically striking similarities. In addition, this paper highlights crucial directions and relevant questions that require future research in the field, including the challenges associated with their study in laboratory settings and their neurophysiological underpinnings.