Hypno-death-experiences: Death experiences during hypnotic life regressions

Abstract

In this study we analyzed retrospectively a database of 44 alleged death experiences between incarnations, as reported by 36 participants during hypnotic life regression sessions with the same hypnotist. The descriptions of these experiences were evaluated using the Italian version of the Near-Death Experience Scale. A large part of the reported experiences were categorized as “Affective”, with a majority reported as: “Feeling a sense of joy” and “Seeing and being enveloped by a bright light”, as well as in the “Transcendental” category, with all experiences showing a similar frequency. Regarding the “Paranormal” category, the most often reported experience is that of: “The feeling of being separated from one’s physical body”. With respect to the total score, 18% fell within the range commonly used to identify true near-death-experiences. The death experiences undergone during the hypnotic life regressions contain very similar characteristics to those reported in classic near-death-experiences. Whether these experiences were actually lived or were, instead, accounts of events previously learned through conventional means, remains an open question.