Discover Hidden Brain Facts: Multiple-Choice Quiz with Explanations

What Happens When We Die? A Look at What Goes on in Our Brains and Bodies

Death can be a scary topic to talk about, but it's something that everyone will experience eventually. Thanks to science, we know a lot more about what happens to our brains and bodies when we die. In this article, let's look at some interesting facts about death.

Why Does the Brain Get More Active Before Death?

Most people think that when you die, everything just stops working. But it turns out that our brains can actually get more active just before we die. This burst of brain activity is sometimes called the "final surge." It can come in the form of brain waves called gamma waves, which are linked to things like focus, memory, and awareness.

One reason this might happen is that the brain is trying to keep itself going, even when it's running low on oxygen. As blood flow decreases, the brain might release a lot of chemicals to keep itself awake and alert. This could also explain why some people who have been close to death say they've seen bright lights or experienced intense emotions.

The Seven Minutes of Brain Activity After Death

Even after the heart stops beating and you stop breathing, your brain might still be active for a while. Scientists have found that this activity can last for about seven minutes. During this time, brain cells (neurons) might keep firing, leading to a surge of electrical activity.

What Happens in the Last Seven Minutes?

The details of what happens in the final seven minutes can be different for each person, but here's a general idea:

• Heart and Breathing Stop: First, the heart stops beating, and you stop breathing. This leads to a lack of oxygen throughout the body.


• Brain Activity Increases: The brain might get more active for a short time, maybe trying to "wake up."


• Changes in Sensory Perception: As the brain reacts to the body's last moments, some people might see or feel things that aren't really there. Others might feel a sense of calm or even like they're leaving their body.


• Brain Activity Fades: After the initial burst, the brain starts to slow down as the lack of oxygen takes its toll.


• Last Few Sparks: Near the end, there might be some final bursts of electrical activity before the brain eventually shuts down completely.

Other Interesting Facts About Death

Besides the last seven minutes, there are some other interesting facts about death that you might find interesting:

• Rigor Mortis and Livor Mortis: After someone dies, their body goes through rigor mortis, where the muscles get stiff. Livor mortis is when the blood settles, causing parts of the body to turn a different color. After death, the body goes through rigor mortis, where muscles stiffen. However, this process doesn't last long—usually only about 24 to 72 hours. After that, the muscles relax again, and the body becomes limp as decomposition continues.


• Cell Death and Autophagy: Even after the brain stops working, other cells in the body keep living for a while. Autophagy is when cells start to break down and recycle themselves.


• Decomposition Process: After death, the body goes through several stages of decomposition. It starts with self-digestion (autolysis), then moves to putrefaction (when bacteria break down the body), followed by active decay, and finally skeletalization.


• Certain Religions Have Unique Death Rites: Different religions approach death in unique ways. For example, in Hinduism, it's common to cremate the body and scatter the ashes in a sacred river, symbolizing the cycle of life and rebirth. In Judaism, bodies are buried quickly, usually within 24 hours, to respect the sanctity of life and death. Ancient Egyptians, mummified their dead and buried them with various items like food, weapons, and even pets to ensure comfort in the afterlife. These rites reflect deep cultural beliefs about death and the afterlife.


• Some People Experience "Deathbed Visions": A significant number of people who are near death report seeing visions of deceased loved ones or spiritual beings. These experiences, often called "deathbed visions" or "end-of-life experiences," are not fully understood but can offer comfort to those approaching death. They suggest that the human brain might still process information and create meaningful experiences in its final moments.


• Did You Know Bodies Can Move After Death? It's true. In the minutes and hours after someone dies, there can be involuntary muscle contractions. This phenomenon, called cadaveric spasms, can cause limbs to twitch or even move. It's a natural part of the process as the body begins to cool and chemicals in the muscles start to break down.


• Death Has a Unique Smell: Scientists have identified a specific set of chemicals known as "putrescine" and "cadaverine" that give off a distinct odor when bodies begin to decompose. This smell is actually part of how forensic scientists can determine time of death and even the presence of human remains at a crime scene.


• Did You Know Bodies Decompose Faster in Water? It's true—bodies break down more quickly when submerged in water, especially if it's warm or salty. This is due to increased bacteria and the effects of water on skin and tissue. This is one reason why bodies found in water can be more difficult to identify.


• Hair and Nails Don't Really Keep Growing: There's a common myth that hair and nails continue to grow after death, but it's not true. What really happens is that the skin dehydrates and pulls back, which makes it look like hair and nails are getting longer. It's an optical illusion caused by the changes in the body after death.


• Some Cultures Use Sky Burials: While burial and cremation are common in many places, some cultures, like Tibetan Buddhists, use sky burials. In this tradition, bodies are placed on mountaintops to be eaten by birds, particularly vultures. It's seen as a way to give back to nature and to ensure the body doesn't impact the environment.


• The Skin Can Change Color After Death: Beyond rigor mortis and livor mortis, there's another phenomenon called "marbling." This occurs when blood vessels begin to break down, leading to a pattern of discoloration on the skin that resembles marble. This is caused by the spread of bacteria within the decomposing blood vessels.


• Did You Know the Heartbeat Can Temporarily Return After Death? This rare occurrence is called the "Lazarus phenomenon." In some cases, a heartbeat can spontaneously return after cardiac arrest, often due to the pressure of air or fluids in the chest cavity. While it might sound like a miracle, it doesn't usually lead to full recovery and often indicates underlying medical issues.


• Certain Conditions Can Cause a "Zombie" Appearance: Conditions like catalepsy, a nervous system disorder, can create a state where a person appears dead but is actually alive. The body becomes rigid, and there's little to no movement or response to stimuli. This condition, historically, has contributed to stories of premature burials and "zombies."


• Death Can Cause a Final Sound: Some people might release a "death rattle" shortly before or after passing. This sound happens when air passes through the throat due to a lack of muscle control, creating a rattling or gurgling noise. It can be unsettling to hear but is a common part of the dying process.