Scientists are believed to have discovered the causes for the near death experiences reported by thousands of people on the operating table.

They suggest that death experiences could be linked to something as mundane as increased levels of carbon dioxide.

A study of heart attack victims has revealed to discover an association between out of body experiences and high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, posting that people who have out-of-body experiences on the operating table may possess high levels of carbon dioxide in their blood.

They supported their explanation by citing that carbon dioxide may vary the chemical balance of the brain - and "trick" it into seeing lights, tunnels or dead people.

The new study in Slovenia, is reported to involve the experiences of 52 patients treated for heart attacks in hospital. All the patients were "flatliners" - people who were resuscitated after their breath and heart stopped functioning.

As per study published in the journal Critical Care, 11 patients revealed to have undergone near-death experiences. Patients possessing higher carbon dioxide concentrations in their breath and arteries were highly susceptible to have an unusual experience.