1 in 10 people have encountered a near-death experience

Researchers in Denmark, Germany and Norway found that 10% of over 1,000 people across 35 different countries had experienced 'supernatural' symptoms or near-death experiences (NDEs).

Some of these symptoms in people who experienced NDEs included hallucinations of angels singing, having their 'soul sucked out', and seeing their life flash before their eyes.

Whilst it was once thought that these symptoms would be most likely the result of a traumatic event in a person's life, the study showed that NDEs are equally as common in people who are not in imminent danger of death, in comparison to those who have gone through life or death situations.

73% reported the experience was unpleasant. However, out of 106 people who met the criteria for a 'true' NDE, based on a detailed questionnaire called the Greyson Near-Death Experience Scale, 53% said it was pleasant and just 14% said it was actually unpleasant.

The experiences greatly varied across the participants. One woman said that during her NDE in childbirth she felt like she "died and went to heaven".

Another participant ended up having a positive experience despite nearly drowning when they were eight years old: "I felt total peace. Twenty years later I can still remember how I felt. It was an amazing feeling."

Based on previous studies, researchers found a link between NDEs and REM sleep intrusion into waking up. REM (rapid eye movement) is a phase of the sleep cycle which causes vivid dreams, and where the brain is as active as when someone is awake. When REM intrudes into wakefulness, sleep paralysis can occur, as well as auditory and visual hallucinations.

The lead researcher, Dr Daniel Kondziella, consultant neurologist at University Of Copenhagen, said: "Our central finding is that we confirmed the association of near-death experiences with REM sleep intrusion. Although association is not causality, identifying the physiological mechanisms behind REM sleep intrusion into wakefulness might advance our understanding of near-death experiences."

The research was presented at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress.