What do the cases of the reincarnation type tell us about the mind beyond the brain?
International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England) January 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2025.2466484 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractFor 60 years, researchers have systematically studied over 2,500 cases worldwide in which young children report memories of a previous life. In the strongest cases, children have provided details that proved strikingly accurate for a specific deceased individual, sometimes living far from the child's family. This overview presents illustrative case reports, reviews the types of evidence suggesting an anomalous connection between the child and the deceased, and considers possible explanations for the phenomenon.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2,500 |
| Population | Young children who report memories of a previous life |
| Keywords | Anomalous memories Mind and brain Past lives Young children Reincarnation |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | Over 2,500 cases worldwide show young children providing accurate details about a deceased individual, suggesting an anomalous connection. |
Abstract
Cases of young children who report memories of a previous life have been the focus of systematic study for the past 60 years. Over 2500 cases of this worldwide phenomenon have been investigated. In the strongest cases, children have provided details that proved strikingly accurate for an individual who lived in the past, sometimes at a great distance from the child's family. This overview includes a set of case reports that demonstrate the phenomenon, followed by a review of the types of evidence in the cases of an anomalous connection between the child and the deceased individual. Explanations for the phenomenon are then considered.