The age-old question of what happens after death continues to intrigue and unsettle many, with various perspectives ranging from Frida Kahlo’s hope for a ‘joyful exit‘ to Alfred Hitchcock’s quip that ‘one has to die to know exactly what happens after death.‘ The uncertainty surrounding the afterlife sparks curiosity and contemplation among individuals, prompting discussions on the enigmatic transition from life to whatever lies beyond.
A recent revelation shared by TikToker and podcast host Jade, known online as @jade.loves.crime, added a chilling layer to the discourse on death. In a video, she shared a ‘fun death fact‘ that left many feeling, in her words, “extremely freaked out” about the prospect of what happens when we die.
“Did you know that when your heart stops and you clinically die, your brain keeps trucking and appears to know that you’re dead?” Jade began, initiating a revelation that caught many off guard.
Clinical death, defined as the moment when the heart ceases to beat, traditionally signals the end of life. However, Jade highlighted research from the University of Western Ontario in 2017, suggesting that the brain, despite the cessation of cardiac activity, continues to function for a few minutes.
Jade explained that the brain, the most energy-consuming organ in humans, doesn’t immediately shut down upon clinical death. The researchers observed brain wave bursts persisting ‘following the cessation of both the cardiac rhythm and arterial blood pressure,’ indicating a brief continuation of brain activity after death.
Moreover, Jade shared a particularly eerie detail: “Modern science has allowed for some fascinating studies, these studies have shown that your brain has enough juice after death to continue firing for up to seven minutes.“
Quoting New York University, she elaborated, “Evidence now suggests that if left alone, the cells of the brain die slowly over a period of many hours, even days after the heart stops and a person dies.”
Jade acknowledged that the duration may vary based on the cause of death, emphasizing that certain studies indicated the brain’s ability to function for up to seven minutes post-mortem.
“In fact, there have been recorded cases where people have been able to intelligently communicate after their heart stopped beating,” she shared, drawing a parallel to the moments before going under anaesthesia.
However, she clarified, “This doesn’t mean you’ll be aware of what’s going on. You might have around 6-11 seconds where you are, but then the brain is on its own. It’s the last worker – to stay late, close up shop, and shut off all of the lights. It’s remarkable how the body and brain just knows how to die.”
While the information might offer solace to some, many found the revelation unsettling. Comments ranged from expressions of fear and discomfort to philosophical reflections on the brain’s post-mortem activity.
In unveiling the intricacies of consciousness after death, Jade’s ‘fun death fact‘ has sparked a contemplative conversation about the mysterious realm that follows the cessation of life.
