(Marigold Groot, is a copywriter. As a retired psychotherapist, she writes about mental health issues and other topics. She has a particular interest in hospice, issues related to death and dying, and living with chronic, life-threatening illnesses. This article, used with permission, was originally posted online.)
======================================
Death is something we’re all going to experience, but it remains shrouded in mystery and often fear. For many of us, not knowing what happens as we pass from life into the unknown creates deep existential questions. Recent scientific research, however, is starting to help us understand what happens at the time of death, giving us a glimpse into the brain’s activity, potentially easing our fears about our final moments.
At the University of Michigan, a groundbreaking study led by Dr. Jimo Borjigin examined what our brains may be experiencing as we die. Using advanced monitoring techniques, researchers detected a spike in brain activity at the moment of death, particularly in the TPJ region, an area linked to dreaming and hallucinations. This finding is important because it is connected closely with the vivid near-death experiences (NDEs) reported by those who have come close to death but returned.
Near-Death Experiences: A Window into the Mind’s Final Moments
NDEs have long fascinated the public and scientific communities alike. Many individuals who have undergone such experiences report remarkably similar visions, such as seeing a bright light, feeling a sense of peace, encountering deceased loved ones, or even viewing their own bodies from outside themselves.
These accounts have often been dismissed as mere illusions or the effects of a dying brain. However, the research by Dr. Borjigin and her team suggests these experiences might have a real physiological basis — a surge in brain activity that could represent a final, cognitive fireworks of sorts.
Enhancing End-of-Life Care with New Understandings
This research is particularly significant for those of us who work in EOL care. Understanding that there might be a natural, physiological explanation for the peaceful and vivid experiences reported by many near-death survivors can change the way we approach care in a person’s final days. It suggests we should not only manage physical symptoms, but also create an environment that supports psychological and emotional well-being.
End-of-life care can be enhanced by incorporating these findings into practice. For example, knowing that patients might still experience a form of consciousness could encourage healthcare providers to engage more with patients, even when they appear unresponsive. Care strategies might include talking to patients about what they are experiencing, playing their favorite music, or facilitating visits from loved ones to stimulate positive emotional and mental states.
Cultural Perspectives on Death and Dying
Cultures around the world have diverse beliefs about what happens at death, and these can influence how individuals perceive and cope with the dying process. In many Western cultures, death is often seen as an end, which can provoke fear and anxiety. However, many Eastern and indigenous cultures view death as an important transition or a continuation of the life cycle, which can provide a more comforting and holistic view of death.
For instance, in Hinduism, death is considered a natural part of life’s continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. This belief can alleviate the fear of death, as it is seen as just another phase in the soul’s journey. Similarly, Buddhist teachings suggest that consciousness continues after physical death, a concept that parallels scientific discussions about brain activity in the final moments of life.
Covert Consciousness: A New Concept in EOL Care
One of the more novel ideas to come from this research is the concept of “covert consciousness.” Even when patients do not appear to be aware of their surroundings, their brains may still be experiencing significant activity. This suggests that our awareness at the end of life might be more complex than we currently understand.
For families and caregivers, this notion could change interactions with dying loved ones, emphasizing communication and presence even in the final moments.
Addressing Fears and Anxieties About Dying
As a psychotherapist, I often encounter individuals who are deeply anxious about the prospect of dying. This anxiety can be particularly intense among those with terminal illnesses, but it is also common in the general population. Understanding that the brain is active and potentially experiencing a state akin to dreaming or hallucinating at the time of death can provide a comforting analogy: just as we drift into sleep, so might we drift into death.
Moving Forward: The Need for Further Research
While the findings from the University of Michigan are compelling, they are just the beginning. The study involved only a small number of patients, and the ethical and practical challenges of studying dying patients are considerable. However, the potential benefits of expanding this line of research are vast. By understanding more about how our brains function in our final moments, we can continue to de-mystify death and, in doing so, reduce the fear and anxiety that surrounds it.
In conclusion, as we continue to explore the mysteries of the human brain and consciousness at the time of death, we not only advance science, but we also offer comfort and understanding to everyone who must face its inevitability. Whether through providing peace of mind or through enhancing the care we provide to the dying, this research has the potential to profoundly impact how we live our final days.
Let’s embrace these insights to provide compassionate care and a deeper understanding of life’s final journey.
(Please scroll down to comment.)
Final Exit Network (FEN) is a network of dedicated professionals and caring, trained volunteers who support mentally competent adults as they navigate their end-of-life journey. Established in 2004, FEN seeks to educate qualified individuals in practical, peaceful ways to end their lives, offer a compassionate bedside presence and defend a person’s right to choose. For more information, go to www.finalexitnetwork.org.
Payments and donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Final Exit Network is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
The new research cited in today’s posting is informative and adds to our understanding, but the most extensive work in this area has been done by physician Bruce Greyson. His 40 years of pioneering research and experience involving near-death experiences is detailed in his book “After.” Like Dr. Jimo Borjigin, who Dr. Groot cites, Dr. Greyson served on the medical school faculty at the University of Michigan. He is Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia, editor of the Journal of Near-Death Studies and a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.