Altered States Was it DMT? Or was it heaven?
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Oct 8, 2025 Halima Shah, an investigative reporter and producer, delves into Eben Alexander's profound near-death experience during a coma. They explore whether his visions of the afterlife were genuine or simply the brain's DMT response. Halima discusses skepticism around NDEs, Rick Strassman's DMT research, and fascinating animal studies. Eben shares his transformation from a materialist scientist to a spiritual advocate, highlighting the limitations of scientific explanations for death. They ponder the cultural influences on these experiences and the ethical implications of using psychedelics as death preparation.
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Neurosurgeon’s Near-Death Account
- Eben Alexander, a Harvard-trained neurosurgeon, says he had a week-long near-death experience during bacterial meningitis coma.
- He describes meeting a loving sister figure and hearing a message of being deeply loved and having nothing to fear.
Return From The Coma
- Eben recounts being rescued by a spinning white light, traveling as a speck on a butterfly wing, and reconnecting with his ten-year-old son to decide to return.
- He recovered fully and emerged deeply changed and spiritual after the coma.
Debate Over Brain Activity During NDE
- Critics argued Eben's brain was capable of hallucination despite his claim it was 'completely shut down.'
- Eben insists his neocortex and brainstem were too damaged to produce conscious experience during the coma.
