People who have undergone near-death experiences often recall the iconic “tunnel” as being black and white, while describing the expansive spaces they encountered as being full of color. This pattern was discovered by researchers at the University of Haifa in Israel, who analyzed the accounts of 50 volunteers. The findings were published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Psychology.
Led by France Lerner, the research team asked participants not only to recount their experiences but also to reconstruct the shapes of the spaces they remembered. To do this, the volunteers selected appropriate geometric diagrams, supplemented them with drawings where necessary, and specified the colors they recalled.
A striking distinction emerged between two types of visions. Of the 28 instances described as tunnel-like, 22 lacked vivid color; participants recalled darkness, shades of gray, a white glow, or light without a distinct hue.
In contrast, descriptions of vast, open spaces with curved boundaries presented a different picture. In 27 out of 31 cases, volunteers reported seeing colorful landscapes—including pink-hued lighting, green hills, and orange terrain.
The researchers suggest that certain features of these visions may be linked to the functioning of the visual system. For instance, oxygen deprivation can cause the field of vision to narrow, while low-light conditions impair the ability to distinguish colors. The researchers also compared the reports of a uniform, glowing light to the “Ganzfeld effect,” a phenomenon in which the visual field appears devoid of distinct reference points.
However, the authors emphasize that their study does not explain the underlying origin of near-death experiences. The study was based on the recollections of a small group of people, with an average of about 15 years having passed since the events in question. Furthermore, the diagrams presented to the participants may have influenced their responses.
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