Peter Cummings – A Neuropathologist’s Near-Death Experience

Peter Cummings – A Neuropathologist’s Near-Death Experience



ABOUT PETER
Peter Cummings, MD is a triple board certified physician specializing in neuropathology and forensic pathology. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine in Orono and a masters degree in pathology from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He attended the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin Ireland, graduating medical school with honors. He completed his residency in anatomic pathology and his fellowship in neuropathology at the University of Virginia. He is an award winning educator and best selling author. He has been accepted as a medical expert in the courts of 27 states and 7 different countries.

0:00 Opening & Speaker Intro
0:15 Forensic-Pathologist Background
1:51 Atheist Worldview on Consciousness
3:06 Wife’s 50th-Birthday Trip to Costa Rica
4:12 Lifelong Fear of Water
4:36 White-Water Rafting Begins
5:08 Raft Flips—Caught in Hydraulic
5:56 Near- Light & 360° Awareness
7:34 “You’re Just Hypoxic” – Snap Back
8:44 Rescue, Dry Drowning, Self-Assessment
10:55 Apple-Watch “No Heartbeat” Gap
11:46 Blue Morpho “Angel Grandma”
12:44 Post- Time-Perception Problems
13:48 Career Crisis & Move to Maine
15:04 Integration Struggles & Stout Study
16:47 Lessons on Time, Presence, Letting Go
18:55 Doctors, Death, and Compassion
19:48 Closing Insights

ABOUT
is a membership nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to advance global understanding of NDEs and related experiences through research, education, and support. We envision a future in which all people embrace near-death and related experiences as a source of meaning and inspiration for a better world. We believe NDEs can transform an individual’s life, influence the sciences, and embolden society. Today, engages in far more than research and has members from around the world. We invite you to consider becoming a member of . To learn more about near-death experiences, visit iands.org.

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What is an ?
A near-death experience () is typically a profound, life changing, intensely emotional experience that usually occurs during a clinical crisis and has common characteristics and aftereffects. It is not a dream, hallucination, or mental illness (Greyson, 1983). There are no predictive variables to identify who will have an . They happen to people of all ages, religions, socio-economic groups, cultures, educational backgrounds, and belief systems. They occur under a variety of circumstances such as accidents, near-drownings, illnesses, combat, surgical procedures, and childbirth. Following an , experiencers (NDErs) often display some common aftereffects. Research has established a set of common NDE characteristics and long-term aftereffects. Theories used to explain near-death experiences in purely physical terms have been proven inadequate by NDE researchers and others.

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Author: IANDS

41 thoughts on “Peter Cummings – A Neuropathologist’s Near-Death Experience

  1. I'm glad you are still with us Dr. Was there any thought on your wife's part to NOT bring you back on the water a day after you had a traumatic event/NDE? I'm not sure I would be Ok with that. Seems kind of insensitive/selfish.

  2. I died in 1989. I did not have an NDE, instead I had a radical STE (spiritually transformative experience) It's fascinating how NDE's and STE's have so many similarities. After either, life is never the same. We are changed from the inside out. 🙏

  3. Nothing is more profound than being given the gift of an NDE. I believe in time you will definitely receive more clarity when the time is right. It’s fascinating to know about your fear of water and how it started at such a young age, there’s definitely some kind of connection. Have you looked at Eben Alexander’s NDE experience, if not you really should, he was a well known neurosurgeon I believe, and he might be able to help you connect to the new journey you are now on. Can’t believe you are 50, there must be some incredible genes in your family lol. Thank you for sharing.👍✨

  4. This story, although significant for the author, comes up short.

    No, death is not beautiful it is terrible. It is the last victory of the curse of sin

    You had a profound experience? So what? I find nothing here to teach me the way I should go

  5. I really appreciate Peter Cummings willingness to share his story. He has a lot of credibility as a person of science and it's obvious that his NDE also awakened him to his heart. Stories like this help me to be less afraid of death and less regretful about the many deaths of people that I love. Thanks!!!

  6. My goodness, I think Dr Cummings got the fountain of youth too! He looks 35 years old! What a beautiful testimony. There is a neurosurgeon at my church who is an elder, and he says that he became a believer during medical school when he studied the brain. "Only a Divine Creator can design this." He dug in and embraced a saving grace in Jesus Christ. He continues to tell stories of what can only be described as miracles that he has witnessed during his long career as a neurosurgeon. He leads a prayer in the operating room before surgery and he says it always feels like Holy Ground.

  7. Drowning is not peaceful at all. You breathe in water bc your reflexes for oxygen overpowers your ability to hold your breath. So you breathe in water. And you're still dying from lack of oxygen and you will then breathe in more water filling your lungs more with water.

    I've picked up some inconsistencies with some of these stories where I'm skeptical. Sorry folks.

  8. But the fact that I'm not getting in right now or being delayed is because I am holding on to refusing to say that it's blue😓
    For real.
    I'm refusing to say blue and saying red.
    I'm sure this is why I'm not getting in.

  9. Imagine being brutally assasined in cold blood and then tottaly disrorting your words and views.
    I can't believe she was allowed to just spew her lies like that on that stage.
    BTW Charlie Kirk was very pro Israel. The fact that most Jewish Americans are Democrats and donate to that side, is just a fact he stated. There's nothing antisemetic about it.
    I'm Jewish and yes, unfortunately I do have idiot relavites who have TDS and are still Democrats and I'm not proud about it. But its just a fact he stated.
    He was one of biggest supporters of Israel and the Jewish people ❤

  10. I really enjoyed your story. Thank you for sharing. I realize this was definitely not the focus of this however, I must say I am really impressed with all that you have accomplished in your career. I’m a physician too, but not at your level at all. lol. I must say I’m also intrigued by how young you look. Maybe your experience has brought you inner peace and it shows on your outside as well. I can’t tell that you are a very kind and thoughtful person and I am happy that you and your family are living a peaceful life in Maine, that sounds wonderful. I wish you well.

  11. I have asked several different surgeons and pathologists what happens to our consciousness when we are under anesthesia. One doctor said that there was just recently in a medical journal but he hadn’t had the chance to read it. No one else had any input. Do you know?

  12. I had three out of body experiences when I was having serious heart problems. I understand what he meant when he said, "shouldn't I be more concerned about this." I saw my dead mom twice & my dead father once, I was hovering up near the ceiling rather than being in my bed. I didn't have the least concern about this, it seemed natural. Time was another weird thing. I know that the first experience was in 2008, but I can't tell you when. It could have been January 1 to December 31st. Very frustrating, so I thought I would pay attention better if I ever had another one. The other two were even worse, I can't even tell you what year they occurred. At age 68 I got a stent in my heart & have never had another OBE.

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