International Association For Near-Death Studies (IANDS)

IANDS helps transform fear into wonder and isolation into connection for those affected by near-death experiences (NDEs).

We provide information about NDE effects on people’s lives and their implications for beliefs about life, death, and human purpose. About IANDS

As an educational nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) focuses most of its resources into providing the highest quality information available about near-death experience (NDE) related subjects. It

is the only such membership group in the world. IANDS publishes a peer-reviewed scholarly journal and a member newsletter, sponsors conferences and other programs, works with the media, and encourages the formation of regional discussion and support groups. We invite you to join today to become a part of this mission and keep up to date on what is known about this fascinating subject. IANDS’ purpose is to promote responsible, multi-disciplinary exploration of near-death and similar experiences, their effects on people’s lives, and their implications for beliefs about life, death, and human purpose. Where scholarship does not indicate a reasonably clear position on the origin or interpretation of these experiences, we remain impartial and open to the presentation of varying points of view; however, while all personal beliefs will be respected, IANDS is under no obligation to consider them all equally supportable. Whatever the viewpoint, IANDS never supports proselytizing. IANDS serves a broad range of people:

- Experiencers: People who have had a near-death or similar experience
- Researchers: People who are interested in the objective academic or clinical study of near-death experiences and/or near-death-like experiences
- Health care professionals: People who care for experiencers’ physical and/or mental health
- People close to experiencers: Family and friends of persons who have had an NDE.
- Educators: People who teach about near-death and near-death-like experiences
- Interested other people: People with terminal illness, those in grief, and the general public. IANDS Programs and Activities:

- IANDS provides reliable information to caregivers, experiencers, and the public by publication of the quarterly newsletter Vital Signs; maintaining this active and growing website; working with media around the world; sponsoring periodic North American conferences, continuing education programs, and other programs; offering a speaker's bureau; and producing a wide variety of educational materials.

- IANDS encourages interest in research and professional applications through publication of the quarterly Journal of Near-Death Studies, management of a program of small grants to encourage scholarly research, creation of an NDE Research Fund, sponsorship of conferences and other programs, work with media representatives around the world, and publication of an indexed bibliography to the periodical literature on near-death and near-death like experiences.

- IANDS facilitates support. Near-death and similar experiences can raise deeply troubling questions for many experiencers. Aftereffects of the NDE can be disturbing to the experiencers as well as to their families, friends, and caregivers. To meet these needs, support and interest groups have developed across North America and around the world.

Photos from International Association For Near-Death Studies (IANDS)'s post

06/03/2026

As Near-Death Experience Week continues, a new national poll by IANDS and Centiment reveals:

- 23% of American adults have experienced a near-death experience (NDE).
- 35% know someone who has had an NDE.
- Nearly 80% believe in the value of studying NDEs.
- Many report that NDEs lead to a greater appreciation for life, less fear of death, and increased compassion.

These insights highlight the importance of discussing near-death experiences.

Join us for a free event on:

📅 Saturday, June 6 • 3 PM EDT
With host Dani Foffa, Anita Moorjani, and UVA Division of Perceptual Studies' Dr. Marieta Pehlivanova, to explore personal stories and research.

We’ll also share new IANDS Q&A resources and glossary entries to help newcomers understand NDEs and consciousness.

Whether you’re an experiencer, researcher, or curious, we invite you to join the conversation.

06/02/2026

What happens when you encounter pure, unconditional love beyond this world? During NDE week, IANDS is holding special events to educate about these extraordinary experiences.

https://iands.org/events/near-death-experience-week

Millions of people throughout history, including Dr. Anthony Cicoria, have experienced the shock of finding themselves out of their body and in a place of unconditional love, only to be returned to the contrast of the physical world.

In this presentation by doctors with NDEs, Dr. Anthony Cicoria recounts being struck by lightning and suddenly finding himself surrounded by a radiant bluish-white light. He describes entering a state of "absolute love"—a realm of pure positive energy unlike anything he had ever experienced on Earth. As waves of bliss flowed through him, he could actually see the energy of love moving through everything around him. The experience was so profound that he became excited about where the journey was leading, only to be abruptly returned to his physical body and intense pain.

Check out the entire video here: https://youtu.be/X_-cCrHhdlg

06/01/2026

Today marks the start of the world's first-ever Near-Death Experience Week! 🎉

We're honored to begin the week with a thoughtful message from U.S. Congresswoman Valerie Foushee, who formally recognized Near-Death Experience Week and the work of IANDS.

In her letter, Congresswoman Foushee acknowledged the importance of near-death experience research, education, and support for experiencers, while recognizing the dedication of the staff and volunteers who help advance this field.

As awareness of near-death experiences continues to grow, we're grateful to see conversations about NDEs, consciousness, and transformative human experiences receiving broader recognition.

Join us this week as we explore near-death experiences through research, personal stories, education, and free online events:

📅 June 2 at 7 PM EDT
Hear from NDE experiencers Vinney Todd Tolman and Evan Mecham, moderated by IANDS Executive Director Janet Riley.

📅 June 6 at 3 PM EDT
Join Afterlife Revealed host Dani Foffa with Anita Moorjani and UVA Division of Perceptual Studies' Marieta Pehlivanova, PhD, to explore insights from personal stories and research.

We'll also be sharing new resources throughout the week to help answer common questions about NDEs and related phenomena.

Thank you for being part of this historic first Near-Death Experience Week. 💙

05/31/2026

Join the first-ever Near-Death Experience Week, hosted by IANDS, June 1–7, 2026.

Free online events feature experiencers, researchers, and leading voices in the field.

📅 June 2 at 7 PM EDTHear from NDE experiencers Vinney Todd Tolman and Evan Mecham, moderated by IANDS Executive Director Janet Riley.

📅 June 6 at 3 PM EDTJoin Afterlife Revealed host Dani Foffa with Anita Moorjani and UVA Division of Perceptual Studies’ Marieta Pehlivanova, PhD, to explore insights from personal stories and research.

💙 Free to attend. All are welcome.

https://iands.org/events/near-death-experience-week/

Near-Death Experiences (NDE) & Quantum Physics - The Hidden Connection..

05/29/2026

New podcast episode out now! In this episode, Dani Foffa talks to Quantum Physicist Prof. Dr. Vera Spillner, who holds a degree in Theoretical Physics and a PhD in Quantum Philosophy and is an expert in String Theory and AI. Her research focuses on the parallels between quantum mechanics and NDEs, which we had the chance to discuss in this episode, along with the concepts of timelessness, oneness, consciousness, the nature of reality, and what modern physics may reveal about life, death, and existence itself, so this is definitely worth a watch!

Near-Death Experiences (NDE) & Quantum Physics - The Hidden Connection.. In this episode, Dani Foffa talks to quantum physicist Prof. Dr. Ve...

05/29/2026

Asking Quantum physicist Vera Spillner about the biggest lesson she learned from her research.. Full interview on https://youtu.be/39g5JbwG9WI

05/27/2026

Registration for the 2026 International Association for Near-Death Studies conference is now open! ✨

Join us August 27–30 in Bellevue for Expanded Lives: Exploring the Impact of Near-Death and Related Experiences.

This year’s keynote speakers include Anita Moorjani, Helané Wahbeh, Alex Ferrari, and Vera Spillner, plus a special evening interview with Eben Alexander, author of Proof of Heaven.
https://iands.org/iands-conference-2026-registration-is-now-open/

Out of Body Experiences & Angel Encounters | From Childhood Trauma to Spiritual Awakening

05/26/2026

Thavy Mam shares her extraordinary spiritual journey through childhood trauma, angel encounters, out-of-body experiences (OBEs), energy healing, past lives, spirit guides, and profound mystical awakenings. She recounts a childhood angelic rescue at a swimming pool, years of emotional abuse and isolation, spontaneous consciousness-expanding experiences while playing bingo, and life-changing revelations about divine consciousness, soul contracts, healing, and the nature of God.

The conversation explores near-death experience themes, multidimensional reality, Native American past lives, Archangel Michael, Reiki-like energy healing, dark night of the soul experiences, spiritual awakening symptoms, Atlantis and ancient Egypt connections, self-love, trauma recovery, psychic abilities, and discovering one’s higher purpose.

Out of Body Experiences & Angel Encounters | From Childhood Trauma to Spiritual Awakening Thavy Mam shares her extraordinary spiritual journey through childhood trauma, angel encounters, out-of-body experiences (OBEs), energy healing, past lives, ...

05/26/2026

What happens when consciousness leaves the body? Thavy Mam describes returning to a state of pure consciousness beyond physical form. During the experience, she felt like a single drop of water within an infinite ocean of divine energy — simultaneously individual and completely connected to all existence. This moving spiritual account explores unity consciousness, oneness, the nature of the soul, and the feeling of returning “home” to the source of creation where human beings, in their highest state, are not bodies but sparks of consciousness within the greater body of God. This description echoes themes commonly reported in near-death experiences (NDEs), mystical awakenings, spiritual transformation, and nondual awareness.

Watch full video here: https://youtu.be/_pkdnyO--fI

05/22/2026

Asking Out-of-Body Master Darius Wright about the meaning of life. Full interview on https://youtu.be/WvPBFQdwKAU

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Location

Durham

Telephone

+19193837940

Website

http://www.iands.org/

Address

IANDS 2530 Meridian Parkway, Suite #300
Durham, NC
27713

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm