What Does Your Brain Experience as You Die?

In research published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, scientists recorded electrical activity from a patient who died of a heart attack while under monitoring.

Surprisingly, for 30 seconds before and after his heart stopped, his brain exhibited a significant rise in gamma-band activity, brainwaves linked to dreaming and memory recall.

Similar changes in gamma oscillations have been observed in rats as well, suggesting that this phenomenon isn’t just limited to humans. Rather, it’s experienced universally, by all kinds of species.

Due to the gamma surges occurring in brain regions commonly associated with memory and conscious thought, researchers believe that the brain may be replaying key life events and moments. 

Dr. Ajmal Zemmar from the University of Louisville said that, “As a neurosurgeon, I deal with loss at times. It is indescribably difficult to deliver the news of death to distraught family members,” he said.

“Something we may learn from this research is: although our loved ones have their eyes closed and are ready to leave us to rest, their brains may be replaying some of the nicest moments they experienced in their lives.”

Many survivors of cardiac arrest describe lucid events such as tunnel vision, random memories, and out-of-body experiences. Electrical brain activity in this phase often shows delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma waves, suggesting brief cognitive function.

Different parts of the brain may be especially sensitive during oxygen loss. For example, hallucinations involving light, sounds, or loved ones may arise due to hypoxia-triggered activation in the visual and limbic lobes.