What Does Science Say About Death Right Now? A Quick Guide to the Big Theories and Findings

Apr 18

From brainwaves to quantum physics to near-death experiences, here's where the science stands - and where mystery still lingers.

1. The Biological Perspective: What Happens in the Body and Brain

Clinical death = when heartbeat and breathing stop.
Biological death = when cells and brain activity fully cease.
Research has shown brainwaves can continue up to 10 minutes post-clinical death. Some studies (e.g., Canadian study in 2017) observed "burst suppression" patterns or organized brain activity in patients even after being declared dead.
The implication? Consciousness may not be a strict on/off switch.

2. Near-Death Experiences (NDEs)

10–20% of people who are revived from cardiac arrest report NDEs.
Common themes: feelings of peace, leaving the body, seeing a light or deceased loved ones.
Theories:

Neurological: Lack of oxygen to the brain causing hallucinations.
Psychological: Brain protecting itself with euphoric imagery.
Transpersonal: Consciousness may persist beyond physical death.

A recent study (Sam Parnia, NYU Langone, 2023) used EEG monitors on patients during resuscitation and found spikes in gamma brain waves, which are associated with memory and consciousness.

3. Quantum Consciousness?

The Orch-OR theory (Roger Penrose & Stuart Hameroff): Consciousness is stored in microtubules within neurons and may have a quantum basis.
If true, some scientists speculate consciousness could persist after death (still highly debated and not widely accepted by mainstream neuroscience).
Quantum physics doesn’t say consciousness survives - but it does challenge the notion of linear time and separation, which opens doors to philosophical discussion.

4. Entropy and the Continuation of Energy

Second Law of Thermodynamics: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred.
Some interpret this to mean that although personhood ends, our energy disperses into the universe.
Not proof of consciousness beyond death, but interesting to contemplate from an existential lens.

5. Consciousness as Non-Local

Some physicists and researchers (e.g., Dean Radin, Bernardo Kastrup) argue that consciousness may be non-local - not originating in the brain, but accessed through it.
Studies in parapsychology and reports of consciousness during anesthesia or coma fuel this debate.
Still fringe, but gaining interest, especially in psychedelic and consciousness studies.

Final Thoughts

Death may mark the end of the body but the mystery of consciousness continues to intrigue both scientists and seekers alike. While there’s no consensus, the questions themselves are deeply human and worth exploring.

Sources:
Borjigin, J., Hu, X., Sun, J., Li, B., Hogg, E., Ouyang, C., ... & Mashour, G. A. (2023). Surge of neurophysiological activity in the dying brain. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 15, 813531. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2022.813531

Hameroff, S., & Penrose, R. (2014). Consciousness in the universe: A review of the ‘Orch OR’ theory. Physics of Life Reviews, 11(1), 39–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plrev.2013.08.002

Medical Xpress. (2017, March 8). Doctors observe patient’s brain activity minutes after death. MedicalXpress. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-03-doctors-patient-brain-minutes-death.html

Norton, L., et al. (2017). Electroencephalographic Recordings During Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Therapy Until 30 Minutes After Declaration of Death. The Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences, 44(2), 139–145.

NYU Langone Health. (2023, September 14). Patients recall death experiences after cardiac arrest. https://nyulangone.org/news/patients-recall-death-experiences-after-cardiac-arrest

Parnia, S., et al. (2023). Consciousness and awareness during cardiac arrest: A review of recent evidence. Resuscitation, 182, 109667. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2023.109667

Radin, D., et al. (2022). Exploring non-local consciousness: Empirical and theoretical perspectives. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 955594. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.955594

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Second law of thermodynamics. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 17, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_law_of_thermodynamics

Aoife Kennedy