Near-death Experiences and Ayahuasca- Induced Experiences - Two Unique Pathways to a Phenomenologically Similar State of Consciousness

Individuals who survive a close brush with death often experience a profound altered state of consciousness known as a ‘‘near-death experience.’’ Individuals who drink a South American medicine, known as ‘‘ayahuasca,’’ experience an altered state of consciousness with numerous similarities to near-death experiences. These similarities, which occur on perceptual, emotional, cognitive, and transcendent levels, suggest near-death experiences and ayahuascainduced experiences may involve a similar state of consciousness. This article compares and contrasts the phenomena of near-death experiences and ayahuasca-induced experiences. Common features of these experiences suggest ayahuasca may be useful as a research tool in the investigation of near-death experience phenomena. Further research is suggested to expand our understanding of human consciousness and near-death experiences.