Written by Jonathan Leuthold
Bio
Writing has been my passion for years, and I’m beyond thrilled to be here! I adore writing, horses, dogs, and travel. I hope you enjoy what you read, and I can’t wait to see your amazing creations!
Stories (2/0)
*What Does It Feel Like to Die?*
The question of what it feels like to die is one that many are interested in, if not a little terrified about. Researchers are now closer than ever to understanding what really happens while you're dying. Recently, specialists studied the brains and bodies of dying individuals to gain new insights into the experience of death. ### Stage One: The Beginning of Active Dying A new meta-analysis found that most people in the Western world will die in clinical settings, where the first sign of death is a loss of appetite and thirst. Doctors call this the beginning of active dying, characterized by an intense feeling of relaxation. During this stage, individuals can typically only manage small spoonfuls of food and water. This physical decline marks the transition from life to death, initiating a process that many medical professionals observe closely to provide comfort and care. ### Stage Two: Extreme Fatigue and Unconsciousness As the dying process progresses, extreme fatigue and unconsciousness become prevalent. One study found that 72% of patients in this phase reported pre-death dreams, including reuniting with people who had already died. Additionally, 59% dreamed about preparing to travel somewhere, and 28% dreamed of significant past experiences. These pre-death dreams occur because individuals are mostly asleep or even slipping into unconsciousness. At this stage, if someone tries to wake you, nothing will happen. Studies of unconscious patients show that when they do eventually wake up, they often believe they were just sleeping. The fatigue during this phase is consistent, and sleep is no longer refreshing. The body's energy reserves are nearly depleted, leading to a continuous state of exhaustion. ### Stage Three: Seeing Light During this stage, your heart will beat less strongly, your blood pressure will fall, and your organs, including your brain, will function less efficiently. Essentially, your brain is trying to conserve energy as it slowly dies, losing its inhibitory power. This loss of inhibition can lead to the phenomenon of seeing light, often reported by individuals who have had near-death experiences. Studies on rats and some human studies suggest that this light is caused by the brain's visual system firing as it loses control. This stage is marked by a significant decrease in physiological function, as the body begins to shut down systematically. ### Stage Four: The Last Breath An unconscious person's breathing follows the automatic patterns produced by the brain's respiratory system, but without proper control over their mouth and throat, saliva builds up. The mixture of saliva and automatic rapid breaths creates loud breathing noises that many find unsettling. However, the dying person does not feel discomfort because they are deeply relaxed. This phenomenon, known as the "death rattle," signifies that the body is no longer able to clear secretions effectively. Despite the disturbing sound, it's important to understand that the person dying is not in distress. ### Stage Five: Brain Flooding A recent study on rats dying from heart failure found that specific brain regions flooded with synchronized low gamma waves more coherent than when the rats were alive and healthy. These brain waves are similar to those seen during high-level cognitive activity. This discovery intrigued researchers about what happens in human brains as we die. A study of 567 dying individuals who had their brains monitored during CPR found that, like the rats, their brains fired intensely. Survivors reported clear experiences such as feeling separated from their body, observing events without pain, evaluating their lives, and reflecting on their choices. Some patients reported knowing they were dying but felt they were heading towards a place that felt like home. Another study observed that the brain activity of a dying man was similar to those on the hallucinogenic drug DMT. However, revived individuals reported that their experiences felt different from hallucinations or dreams. This stage illustrates that even as the body shuts down, the brain may still engage in profound and vivid experiences, possibly providing a sense of closure or understanding. ### Conclusion What goes through people's minds as they die? Are there common regrets or emotions? The dying process, as understood through scientific study, involves several stages that blend physiological decline with unique psychological experiences. If you know someone who has had such experiences, please leave a comment. I've put a lot of work into this article, which is part of my thesis, so please let me know how you find it. Understanding the process of dying not only demystifies it but also helps us approach it with compassion and care, both for ourselves and for those we love. The more we learn about what it feels like to die, the better we can prepare for it and support those who are facing it. If you know someone who has had such experiences, please leave a comment. I’ve put a lot of work into this article, which is part of my thesis, so please let me know how you find it. Thank you very much for reading this article.
By Written by Jonathan Leuthold9 days ago in Humans
The Strength to let Go
In the depths of my longing, I stand, a broken vessel seeking solace, hoping for a miracle to bridge the gap between our souls. But there comes a moment of revelation, a glimmer of self-awareness that pierces through the haze of desire. For love cannot be forced, it cannot be coerced or tamed. Yet, through it all, I wanted nothing more than to be cherished, to be held tightly in your heart, where I could find refuge from the storms that raged within me. I craved the tender touch of your affection, yearning for the day when you would fear losing the love we had nurtured. But alas, reality unfurls like an open book, revealing pages stained with the truth of our entangled existence. No matter how much I poured into this love, it seemed to slip through my fingers like sand, leaving behind only remnants of what could have been. And so, I stand here, knowing that the time has come to relinquish my grip on this fragile hope. For it is not in begging for love that we find fulfillment, but in embracing the strength to let go. To grieve the loss of what could have been, yet understand that the pain of holding on far outweighs the healing of release. In the depth of my being, I find resilience, a flicker of light that illuminates the path ahead. I know now that love cannot be coerced or won through desperation. But within me lies the power to forge a brighter future, one where I am at the center of my own affection. So let this be the closing chapter, the final verse of a tale that was never meant to be. And as I bid farewell to the longing, the yearning that once consumed me, I step forward into a world that holds infinite promise. With a heart that is whole and steadfast, I embark on a journey to rediscover my own worth, knowing that I am deserving of a love that chooses me, just as I have chosen myself.
By Written by Jonathan Leuthold9 days ago in Poets
