Brains are 300 times more active in the dying process

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A light at the end of the tunnel, the feeling of weightlessness, seeing yourself float above your own body and experiencing encounters with deceased relatives: near-death experiences are described in similar ways all over the world. Researchers have been puzzling over the question of what’s behind the experiences for years — so far with no answer.

A few years ago, scientists at the University of Michigan were able to identify strange brain activity after death in animal experiments. The brain is active for about 30 seconds after cardiac arrest.

A new study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, now shows that brain activity increases dramatically even before death.

Mental peak activities

The researchers examined the brain activity of four comatose patients with no chance of survival. With the consent of the next of kin, the life support machines were switched off, while brain activity was continuously monitored. Neural activity was measured using gamma waves. These are the fastest brain waves that occur during peak mental activity.

After switching off the ventilators, a drastic increase in brain activity was measured in two patients. Accordingly, the increase occurred a few seconds after cardiac arrest.

In one patient, the values ​​during the dying process were about three hundred times higher than before. The scientists found that these activities mainly take place in the back of the brain – where dreams take place, among other things.

Is it a hidden consciousness?

Previously, cardiac arrest was thought to be associated with loss of consciousness. But the scientists’ finding raises the question of whether a hidden consciousness is being activated in the dying. A scientist at the portal “Science” suspects that the brain can repeat memorable events in the last few moments.

However, the researchers point out that only four people were studied. Therefore, in general it cannot be said that brain activity increases dramatically in all dying people.

Despite the study, the question of what exactly the brain does in the last few seconds of its functionality remains unanswered. Exactly how the brain works remains one of the greatest mysteries in neuroscience. (lia)

Source: Blick