Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Kubler Ross's Stages of Dying01:21

Kubler Ross's Stages of Dying

116
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross significantly advanced psychology's understanding of the process of dying with her influential book, On Death and Dying (1969). She focused on studying terminally ill individuals and outlined five stages commonly experienced when coping with death: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
In denial, individuals reject the reality of their condition, often thinking, "This isn't true; I feel fine," as a way to protect themselves from...
116
Overview of Cell Death01:30

Overview of Cell Death

7.4K
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
7.4K
Necrosis01:16

Necrosis

4.6K
Necrosis is considered as an “accidental” or unexpected form of cell death that ends in cell lysis. The first noticeable mention of “necrosis” was in 1859 when Rudolf Virchow used this term to describe advanced tissue breakdown in his compilation titled “Cell Pathology”.
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become...
4.6K
Bonanno's Theory of Grieving01:17

Bonanno's Theory of Grieving

102
Grieving is a complex psychological and emotional process that varies significantly among individuals. George Bonanno's research on bereavement identified four distinct patterns of grieving, offering a nuanced understanding of how people cope with significant loss, such as the death of a spouse, over extended periods. These patterns — resilience, recovery, chronic dysfunction, and delayed grief — highlight the diversity in emotional responses and adaptive mechanisms.
Resilience
102
Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

3.4K
Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
3.4K
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

6.4K
The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
6.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Out-of-Body Experiences and Threat Sensitivity.

Perceptual and motor skills·2025
Same author

The Bereaved Detachment Experience: An NDE-like Phenomenon.

Omega·2025
Same author

Suicide Following a Near-Death Experience.

Crisis·2024
Same author

The Near-Death Experience and Suicidal Ideation.

Omega·2023
Same author

The Near-Death Experience and Self-Determination Theory.

Omega·2022

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2025

Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses
06:42

Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses

Published on: September 28, 2018

11.7K

Recognizing the Death Motif in the Near-Death Experience.

Robert A King1

  • 1The NDE OBE Research Project, Casa Grande, AZ, USA.

Omega
|September 20, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Near-death experiences (NDEs) involve altered consciousness and out-of-body sensations. This study proposes NDEs feature a death motif, a psychological function to enhance survival resilience.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Consciousness Studies

Background:

  • Near-death experiences (NDEs) are altered states of consciousness during life-threatening events.
  • Experients report out-of-body sensations and encounters with spiritual or deceased figures.
  • These phenomena are often perceived as transcendental journeys or proximity to the physical body.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose that common features of NDEs constitute a recognizable death motif.
  • To explore qualitative examples of death symbolism within NDE reports.
  • To discuss the potential psychological function of this death motif in NDEs.

Main Methods:

  • Qualitative analysis of NDE reports.
  • Identification and categorization of recurring death symbolism.
Keywords:
afterlifedangerdeath motifnear-death experiencespiritualitystressthreat

More Related Videos

Setup and Execution of the Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Death Notification Curriculum
04:36

Setup and Execution of the Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Death Notification Curriculum

Published on: August 5, 2020

4.3K
Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
09:18

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death

Published on: December 27, 2016

8.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 16, 2025

Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses
06:42

Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses

Published on: September 28, 2018

11.7K
Setup and Execution of the Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Death Notification Curriculum
04:36

Setup and Execution of the Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Death Notification Curriculum

Published on: August 5, 2020

4.3K
Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
09:18

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death

Published on: December 27, 2016

8.7K
  • Theoretical discussion on the psychological implications of the death motif.

    • Main Results:

    • NDE features, including out-of-body experiences and encounters, align with a broader death motif.
    • Various forms of death symbolism are present in NDE accounts.
    • The death motif may serve to heighten life-threat awareness.

    Conclusions:

    • The death motif in NDEs suggests a psychological mechanism for survival.
    • This symbolism may enhance the drive and resilience to live.
    • Understanding NDEs through a death motif lens offers insights into consciousness and survival.