It’s a question that’s fascinated humans for centuries: what really happens in those final moments before we die?
Is it true that our life ‘flashes before our eyes’, as so many stories and near-death experiences suggest?
Thanks to a remarkable new study, we may finally have a scientific glimpse into what the brain experiences at the end of life—and the findings are both intriguing and surprisingly comforting.
A once-in-a-lifetime brain scan
The study, published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, came about entirely by chance. Doctors in Canada were monitoring the brain activity of an 87-year-old man with epilepsy using an electroencephalogram (EEG)—a test that records electrical activity in the brain—when the patient unexpectedly suffered a fatal heart attack.
Because the EEG machine was still running, the medical team captured a unique and unprecedented record of the man’s brain activity as he passed away.
As Dr Ajmal Zemmar, the neurosurgeon who led the study, explained: ‘This is why it’s so rare, because you can’t plan this.
No healthy human is going to go and have an EEG before they die, and in no sick patient are we going to know when they’re going to die to record these signals.’
What did the scans show?
For about 30 seconds before and after the man’s heart stopped, the EEG revealed a surge of activity in several brain regions.
These areas are typically associated with memory recall, dreaming, and meditation. In particular, the researchers noticed a spike in ‘gamma waves’—the same type of brain waves that are active when we retrieve memories, process information, or experience vivid dreams.
This pattern of brain activity led the scientists to speculate that the man may have been experiencing a rapid replay of memories or significant life events, much like the ‘life flashing before your eyes’ phenomenon often described by people who have had near-death experiences.
Even more astonishing, the brain didn’t immediately go quiet after the heart stopped. ‘Surprisingly, after the heart stops pumping blood into the brain, these oscillations keep going,’ Dr Zemmar said. ‘So that was extremely surprising for us to see.’
What does this mean for all of us?
While this is the first time such brain activity has been recorded in a dying human, it’s not the first time scientists have seen something similar.
A 2013 study in rats found comparable patterns of brain waves just before and after death, suggesting that this might be a universal experience among mammals.
However, the researchers are quick to caution that this is just one case, and the patient’s epilepsy could have influenced the results.
More research is needed to know if everyone’s brain behaves the same way at the end of life.
Still, the findings offer a fascinating—and perhaps comforting—insight. As Dr Zemmar reflected: ‘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.’
What are near-death experiences, and how do they compare?
Many people who have survived close brushes with death report vivid experiences: seeing a bright light, feeling a sense of peace, or reliving essential memories.
While these accounts have often been dismissed as hallucinations or the result of a lack of oxygen to the brain, this new research suggests there may be a real, biological basis for these experiences.
The idea that our brains might ‘replay’ our lives in our final moments is not only poetic, but it could also help explain why so many people report similar sensations during near-death experiences.
The study showed evidence of a surge of brain activity in the moments leading to death. Image source: Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
What does this mean for end-of-life care?
For those of us who have lost loved ones or who are thinking about our own mortality, this research offers a small measure of comfort.
The possibility that our final moments might be filled with cherished memories, rather than fear or pain, is a reassuring thought.
It also highlights the importance of compassionate end-of-life care. Knowing that the brain may remain active and potentially aware for a short time after the heart stops beating, medical professionals and families may wish to consider how they speak to and comfort loved ones in their final moments.
A reminder to cherish every memory
While science is only just beginning to unravel the mysteries of what happens when we die, this study is a powerful reminder of the importance of the memories we create throughout our lives.
Whether it’s a family holiday, a grandchild’s laughter, or a quiet moment in the garden, these are the moments that may stay with us until the very end.
Have you or someone you know ever experienced a near-death experience, or do you have thoughts on what happens in our final moments? We’d love to hear your stories and reflections in the comments below.
Also read: This woman was dead for 24 minutes—what did she see?
