{
  "id": 19703492,
  "title": "The Shapes and Colors of a Near-Death Experience",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/the-shapes-and-colors-of-a-near-death-experience",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-12T20:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nautilus",
    "slug": "nautilus",
    "url": "https://nautil.us/the-shapes-and-colors-of-a-near-death-experience-1286591/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Near-death experiences are more widespread than one might assume: estimates suggest between four and eight percent of the world's population has undergone such a journey, with up to 23 percent of those who have experienced cardiac arrest reporting a similar phenomenon. These encounters often include recurring perceptual themes such as encounters with ghostly figures, bright lights, tunnels, and a profound sense of peace and calm. However, the underlying mechanisms behind these experiences remain a subject of ongoing inquiry. Recently, visual artist and neurophenomenology researcher France Lerner along with her team posed questions to 50 individuals who had reported near-death experiences, asking them to categorize their recollections into phases, illustrate them using geometric shapes, and articulate the colors perceived. The participants identified four distinct spaces: cones, broad arches, gentle curves, and spaces similar to the inside of an egg. The researchers noted that the cone shapes bear a striking resemblance to the tunnels ending in bright lights, a common feature in narratives of near-death experiences.",
  "summary": "Near-death experiences are more common than many of us might think: Some studies estimate that between four and eight percent of the global population has had one, as have up to 23 percent of cardiac arrest survivors . These journeys into the borderlands of consciousness tend to feature a few common perceptual themes: ghostly figures and bright lights, tunnels, a sense of peace and calm. But…",
  "key_points": [
    "Four to eight percent of global population experiences near-death phenomena",
    "Visual artist France Lerner studies recollections through shapes and colors",
    "Participants identified four distinct spaces: cones, arches, curves, egg-like interiors"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}