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Neuroscientists have recorded the activity of a dying human brain

blog.frontiersin.org

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Re: Neuroscientists have recorded the activity of a dying human brain

#21

Post by tmikaeld »

DonCarlitos wrote: post #8

This corresponds with what I've read previously about brain activity following clinical death. What appears to be the case is that the brain continues to work for a period after the heart stops and a last breath is taken. So what that might mean is that if one is with a person who has just died, a relative or friend, there is still a moment, just a moment, to say good bye and I love you. And it is comforting to know…

Beautifully said, reminds me of "All these years, all these memories, there was you. You pulled me through time." from the fountain.

Re: Neuroscientists have recorded the activity of a dying human brain

#22

Post by schodi »

I have that inner emotion, when thinking about death. It makes me very uneasy. When We die, if there is nothing coming, how is it to not exist? I mean, what is it like? Pure black and emptyness? I then comfort myself into thinking, in the end it comes down to energy. Like being part of that endless stream of energy that became matter and probably will return to energy somewhere in infinty. Or do we maybe just restart. All this is completely mind boggling.

Then again how did it all start? Causality is completely broken, when it comes to these things.

Re: Neuroscientists have recorded the activity of a dying human brain

#23

Post by _Microft »

If you were concerned about the ethics of the situation like I was, then here is an excerpt from the paper itself that you might find reassuring:

"After discussion with the patient’s family and in consideration of the “Do-Not- Resiscitate[sic!] (DNR)” status of the patient, no further treatment was administered and the patient passed away."

Re: Neuroscientists have recorded the activity of a dying human brain

#24

Post by giantg2 »

giuliomagnifico wrote: post #6
giantg2 wrote: post #3

Has there really never been anyone who died while hooked up to an EEG? That seems unlikely to me. Edit: liars liars pants on fire. It has been done before. https://www.sciencealert.com/brain-activity-recorded-as-much...

Read before comment: > When an 87-year-old patient developed epilepsy, Dr Raul Vicente of the University of Tartu, Estonia and colleagues used continuous electroencephalography (EEG) to detect the seizures and treat the patient. During these recordings, the patient had a heart attack and passed away. This unexpected event allowed the scientists to record the activity of a dying human brain for the first time ever.

Don't be snarky. It's a real question. And apparently the article has incorrect information.

https://www.sciencealert.com/brain-activity-recorded-as-much...

Re: Neuroscientists have recorded the activity of a dying human brain

#25

Post by [deleted] »

dkural wrote: post #4
bsmitty5000 wrote: post #2

> “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.” Note to self: die in a way that keeps my brain intact for a few seconds after death.

One my fears is that as I am dying my brain will get stuck in a subjective time loop, in essence, the last 30 seconds will subjectively stretch out to a thousand years... but with only a handful of repeating feelings and sensations. What if due to other physical discomfort, your memories replayed are those of regret or other unpleasant sensations? (similar to a "bad trip").

[deleted]

Re: Neuroscientists have recorded the activity of a dying human brain

#26

Post by giantg2 »

emteycz wrote: post #14
giantg2 wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I did. I find this unbelievable and was asking if this is really true, or if this is just the first time someone wanted to publish it. "This unexpected event allowed the scientists to record the activity of a dying human brain for the first time ever."

EEG is not easy to get right, any muscle movement from the neck up scrambles the signal. It's unlikely you'd be able to get a usable recording without planning - usually you'd be trying to save the dying person by any means and you'd do that without any regards to EEG signal quality.

Here we go. Seems like the person writing this article didn't research very well since the link below shows that it has been planned/done before.

https://www.sciencealert.com/brain-activity-recorded-as-much...

Re: Neuroscientists have recorded the activity of a dying human brain

#27

Post by ipnon »

schodi wrote: post #22

I have that inner emotion, when thinking about death. It makes me very uneasy. When We die, if there is nothing coming, how is it to not exist? I mean, what is it like? Pure black and emptyness? I then comfort myself into thinking, in the end it comes down to energy. Like being part of that endless stream of energy that became matter and probably will return to energy somewhere in infinty. Or do we maybe just restart…

Everyone has been dead before: Do you have any trepidations about the times before you were born? It's trite to say this, yes, but it gives some comfort to know we are born with the experience of not being alive. Of course Your Metaphysics may apply.

Re: Neuroscientists have recorded the activity of a dying human brain

#28

Post by ajuc »

schodi wrote: post #22

I have that inner emotion, when thinking about death. It makes me very uneasy. When We die, if there is nothing coming, how is it to not exist? I mean, what is it like? Pure black and emptyness? I then comfort myself into thinking, in the end it comes down to energy. Like being part of that endless stream of energy that became matter and probably will return to energy somewhere in infinty. Or do we maybe just restart…

Why would it be any different than being unconscious?

Re: Neuroscientists have recorded the activity of a dying human brain

#29

Post by xwdv »

giantg2 wrote: post #7
bsmitty5000 wrote: post #2

> “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.” Note to self: die in a way that keeps my brain intact for a few seconds after death.

They're just theorizing here. Generally that would be something to say to console someone, just like "They're in a better place". It could be just as likely that if the person had strong memories of traumatic experiences, they could be remembering them.

It seems likely to me it depends on the person dying.

If you always saw yourself as a victim, if you wallowed in the trauma and abuse that life gave you, then your final moments are likely spent remembering all that trauma and how shitty and unfair your life was, and convincing yourself you’re better off dead and gone far away from this world. A crude way to die.

Re: Neuroscientists have recorded the activity of a dying human brain

#30

Post by throwanem »

schodi wrote: post #22

I have that inner emotion, when thinking about death. It makes me very uneasy. When We die, if there is nothing coming, how is it to not exist? I mean, what is it like? Pure black and emptyness? I then comfort myself into thinking, in the end it comes down to energy. Like being part of that endless stream of energy that became matter and probably will return to energy somewhere in infinty. Or do we maybe just restart…

What's it like to be asleep and not dreaming?
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