Polyvagal Theory, developed by Stephen Porges, provides a neuroscience framework that explains many aspects of near-death experiences in terms of the nervous system's safety-detection mechanisms.
The Three States of Polyvagal Theory and Near-Death Experiences
Ventral vagal (safe and social): Optimal state for connection, learning, and near-death experiences management
Sympathetic mobilization (fight or flight): Anxiety-type near-death experiences responses
Dorsal vagal shutdown (freeze/collapse): Depression and dissociation-type near-death experiences
Neuroception and Near-Death Experiences
Neuroception — the body's unconscious safety-detection — can be dysregulated in near-death experiences, causing false alarms (sensing danger when safe) that drive near-death experiences responses.
Polyvagal-Informed Near-Death Experiences Treatment
Therapy that acknowledges the body's state — helping clients move into ventral vagal 'safe and social' — transforms near-death experiences management.
Safe relationships, co-regulation, and body-based practices are particularly emphasized.