Doctors explained what exactly happens to the body as you approach death. Doctor Kathryn Mannix explained the details to Science Focus.
1. The heart slows down
First, your heart will begin to beat more slowly – in turn, your blood will pump more slowly throughout your body and your blood pressure will drop. While this is happening, you may feel a sense of peace, or you may experience restlessness or confusion.
2. Your breathing changes
Your breathing may become harder and louder – some people lose sensation in their mouths and throats. But this happens without apparent problems. There may be a pause and eventually it will stop. Your heart will stop after a few minutes because it is not getting any more oxygen.
3. Consciousness
You will gradually spend less time awake. It may seem as if you are in a dream as you approach the end, perhaps without even realizing it.
Dr. Kathryn wrote: When they wake up, people say they slept soundly, without feeling anything like they were unconscious.
Research published earlier this year shows that you can even enter a meditative state.
A patient with epilepsy was connected to an EEG prior to his heart attack. In the first 30 seconds, an increase in very specific brain waves was observed. Those waves, known as gamma oscillations, are associated with things like memory retrieval, meditation and dreaming.
This could mean – that we can watch a sort of movie marathon of our best memories as we die.
4. You can react to sound
Researchers think you may still hear sounds in your final moments, despite appearing unresponsive. Although you may be able to hear, you may not necessarily be able to understand what is happening.