What Happens When a Person is Dying?

What does it feel like to die? Many people are intrigued, if not alarmed, by this question. Scientists are now closer than ever to understanding exactly what happens during the dying process. Recently, researchers analyzed the minds and bodies of dying people to acquire a better understanding of the experience.

The First Stage: Deep Sense of Relaxation

The first stage of dying is characterized by great relaxation. This stage, known as the beginning of active dying, is frequently characterized by a lack of appetite and thirst. A recent meta-analysis revealed that the majority of persons in the Western World die in medical institutions, where this phenomenon is commonplace.

Physicians characterize the start of active dying as a serious change in the body's requirements and functions. The first indicator of this phase is a drop in appetite and fluid consumption. The body's metabolism slows, and there is less demand for energy, causing a natural decrease in the urge for food and water. This stage comprises physical changes and a strong sense of calm as the body begins to shut down and conserve its remaining energy.

Healthcare providers understand this shift as an inherent part of the dying process. They frequently adapt their care approach to comfort-focused interventions, ensuring that the patient is as comfortable as possible. Nutritional demands are less important, and the emphasis is on creating a peaceful and pain-free atmosphere.

The Second Stage: Extreme Fatigue and Unconsciousness

The second stage of death is marked by extreme fatigue and unconsciousness. This phase is distinguished by a considerable rise in sleep and a profound decrease in consciousness, as the body's systems continue to shut down and preserve energy.

During this time, patients frequently have vivid and significant dreams. One study discovered that some people had pre-death dreams about reconnecting with deceased loved ones, others dreamed about planning to fly somewhere, and few remembered crucial past experiences. These dreams are supposed to occur while the person is mostly asleep or unconscious.

According to research, persons in this phase frequently mistake their unconscious condition for sleep. They are frequently unaware of the changes between states of consciousness, therefore they do not distinguish between being awake and falling asleep. In contrast to normal sleep, this unconscious state is not rejuvenating. Instead, it causes continuous and overwhelming fatigue, comparable to that experienced during a severe cold or flu, but without the restorative advantages of sleep.

At this point, the patient's care is largely concerned with comfort and symptom management. The goal is to create a pleasant and pain-free atmosphere while realizing that the patient's ability to interact with their surroundings has considerably decreased. Family members and caregivers are frequently urged to be there and supportive, acknowledging that their loved one may not respond but can still benefit from their presence and comfort.

The Third Stage: Perception of Light

The third stage of the dying process frequently includes the phenomenon of seeing light, which is a common feature of near-death experiences. This stage is distinguished by major physiological changes as the body proceeds to shut down.

As death approaches, the heart's ability to adequately pump blood decreases. Reduced heart function causes a drop in blood pressure, which affects blood circulation to important organs such as the brain. Deprived of its normal blood supply and oxygen levels, the brain begins to conserve energy by turning off non-essential activities.

One of the effects of this energy conservation is a decrease in inhibition in the brain. Inhibition refers to the brain's ability to regulate and control neuronal activity, which prevents specific neurons from firing excessively. When this control is reduced, neuronal activity in previously suppressed areas of the brain can increase.

In particular, the visual cortex, the region of the brain responsible for processing visual information, can become very active. This increased activity in the visual system could explain the typical claims of seeing light during near-death experiences. Individuals frequently describe a bright light or a tunnel of light, which might be regarded as a calming or guiding presence.

The Fourth Stage: The "Death Rattle"

The fourth stage of the dying process can be recognized by the "death rattle," a term used to describe the peculiar and often disturbing sound produced when a dying person breathes. This sound is created by an accumulation of saliva and other fluids in the throat and airways that the person is unable to empty because they are deeply unconscious.

Even when someone is unconscious, breathing continues to be an instinctive function controlled by the brainstem. As air enters and exits the lungs, it passes through the collected fluids, creating vibrations that result in the distinctive rattling or gurgling noise known as the death rattle. This sound can be upsetting for family members and caregivers to hear, but it is vital to remember that the person dying is not in pain or suffering.

Healthcare providers are taught to recognize the death rattle and its ramifications. While this may sound scary, it is a normal aspect of the dying process and does not suggest pain. Medical personnel frequently focus on offering comfort measures, such as moving the patient to facilitate fluid drainage or administering drugs to minimize saliva and mucus production.

The Fifth Stage: Brain Surging

The fifth stage is characterized by brain surge. Experiments on humans discovered that during resuscitation, the brains of dying people fired rapidly. Survivors had lucid experiences such as feeling detached from their bodies, witnessing events without pain or discomfort, doing significant life reviews, and evaluating their behaviors. This behavior is linked to the brain's disinhibition during death, which activates memory-related regions and allows access to previously stored memories.

Some patients reported feeling as if they were going toward a familiar location, whilst others had no recollection despite strong brain activity. In one study, a dying man's brain revealed activity similar to that of those taking the psychedelic substance DMT, yet resuscitated individuals experienced sensations other than hallucinations, illusions, or dreams.

In essence, the dying process consists of a sequence of physiological and psychological changes that researchers are beginning to better understand. Each stage—from the deep sense of relaxation to the intense visual impressions, the death rattle, and the final brain surges—contributes to a complex and varied experience that varies greatly between individuals.