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Forbes
6 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
What Happens In The Brain Just Before You Die? A Psychologist Explains
Do our lives really flash before our eyes in death? A once-in-a-lifetime brain scan offers a glimpse ... More at what the mind might be doing in our final moments. Death is perhaps the only thing we are promised in life. And yet, despite how natural and inevitable it is, it remains one of the most elusive subjects in modern neuroscience. Of course, we know what death is. We know what it does to the body: how it stills the lungs, quiets the heart and brings all systems to a halt. What we don't know, however, is how the mind behaves in those final moments. For decades, we've relied on folklore and personal accounts of near-death experiences for clues. Some people describe brilliant white lights, others recall feelings of pure peace — and many say they saw nothing at all. But among the most enduring and cross-cultural reports is the idea that your 'life flashes before your eyes,' a phenomenon researchers call a 'life review.' Until recently, this has remained unprovable; half folklore, half hope. But a 2022 study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience caught something remarkable by complete accident: the first-ever glimpse of the brain in the moments just before, and just after, death. In those few seconds, something happened that looks strikingly similar to a life review. This study did not begin with death in mind. Rather, the team of neuroscientists were conducting a routine EEG on an 87-year-old Canadian man with epilepsy. The initial purpose of this scan was to monitor his brain activity, in the hopes of better understanding his seizures. But during the recording, the patient suffered a sudden heart attack. As the authors of the study explained, 'After discussion with the patient's family and in consideration of the Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) status of the patient, no further treatment was administered and the patient passed away.' In total, the team of researchers captured approximately 15 minutes of brain activity leading up to, during and just after the patient's death. And, in turn, what was supposed to be standard data collection became something the first known recording of a human brain during the process of dying. This rare and accidental event allowed the researchers to observe, in real time, what happens to the brain as it shuts down. But it was the final 30 seconds before and after the heart patient's heart stopped that something phenomenal happened. 'Just before and after the heart stopped working, we saw changes in a specific band of neural oscillations,' said Dr. Ajmal Zemmar, one of the leading neurosurgeons within the study, in a statement to Frontiers in Psychology. More specifically, the EEG recorded an abnormal surge in gamma waves. These are the highest-frequency among all brainwaves, and they primarily occur within the hippocampus (the brain's memory center). Typically, these oscillations are associated with memory retrieval, dreaming and deep meditation. This spike in gamma wave activity — in tandem with other oscillations such as delta, theta, alpha and beta — created a brainwave pattern that looked remarkably similar to what we see when someone is deeply remembering something, or dreaming vividly. In light of this unprecedented finding, Zemmar suggests that, 'Through generating oscillations involved in memory retrieval, the brain may be playing a last recall of important life events just before we die.' Zemmar notes that this idea — that our brains might perform a kind of memory replay at the end of life — aligns with what thousands of people have described during near-death experiences. In a 2014 study from OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying, researchers analyzed dozens of these near-death experiences. A consistent theme that emerged was the blurring of 'boundaries between space, time and perception.' The researchers explain that individuals often experience intense feelings of 'joy, happiness, peace, and unconditional love' in these moments. And, often, these are accompanied by something of a panoramic life review. Fascinatingly, researchers believe that humans aren't the only species whose brains seem to do this. Similar brain wave activity has been observed in rats. A 2013 study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed that dying rodents also experience a sharp increase in gamma oscillations just before death. A 2019 study in Frontiers of Cellular Neuroscience supported the same findings, too. Given these cross-species similarities, Zemmar and his colleagues suggest something spectacular: that no matter the species, mammals may spend their last moments in deep mental reverie. That consciousness, in its final seconds, could be universal in its inward retreat. It's also likely that brainwaves aren't the only mechanisms involved in this process. It's widely believed that the brain releases large amounts of dimethyltryptamine (DMT) at the time of death. This naturally occurring psychedelic compound can be found in many plants and animals — and it occurs endogenously within humans. In fact, a 2018 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that people who were administered this hallucinogen reported experiences that were uncannily similar to that of a near-death experience: vivid imagery, feelings of transcendence, timelessness and unparalleled emotional insight. Of course, this scan doesn't prove that life reviews are a definitive aspect of dying, nor that they happen to everyone. It was a single case. The patient had epilepsy, which can influence gamma activity on its own. We don't know whether he was truly reliving memories or simply dreaming. But, while we can't say for certain what exactly the brain is doing when we die, we can speculate that these phenomena — the surge in gamma waves, the potential DMT release, the reports of life reviews, the similar findings in animals — may all point to a final burst of meaning-making. That, even as the body begins to shut down, the mind might still be hard at work to give us one last vivid, beautiful experience. That said, these findings don't diminish the depth of loss, nor do they make grieving any easier in any way. Zemmar himself has spoken openly about how indescribably difficult grief can be. But, in his statement, he leaves us with wisdom that's less scientific, and instead more comforting: 'Something we may learn from this research is: although our loved ones have their eyes closed and are ready to leave us to rest, their brains may be replaying some of the nicest moments they experienced in their lives.' Near-death experiences often give rise to 'ego deaths.' Take this science-backed test to find out if you've experienced one before: Ego Dissolution Scale
Forbes
13-06-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Summer Brain Fog: Fighting Backfires, But 5 Tips Boost Productivity
Many people who have summer brain fog try to fight it with caffeine and other means that backfire, ... More but here are tips on how to cope with it. As summer heats up, the physical consequences of heat stroke and heat exhaustion, are well-known. But summer heat also has psychological consequences, know as 'summer brain fog.' According to the Cleveland Clinic, summer brain fog affects how you think, remember and concentrate. It can make doing ordinary work tasks challenging. You might lose your train of thought in the middle of a Zoom meeting or conversation with a team member. Or you could have difficulty concentrating on a project or feel more impulsive or irritable than usual as little things setting you off. June is Brain Health Awareness Month. Your brain has the hefty responsibility of keeping you safe, your career on track and connections to family, friends and loved ones. It's the boss of your mind and body, working for you 24/7, even while you're asleep. It's totally dedicated to you, never taking a break, PTO or vacation. Yet, if you're like most people, you take this amazing organ for granted, neglecting your brain health and what it needs for optimal health and performance. Neuroscientists are constantly studying brain health, reminding us what the brain needs to be happy and healthy to sustain your career. Too few people know about summer brain fog and how to work with your brain, instead of against it, when you're struggling with summer brain fog. If you're finding it harder to concentrate during those long, warm days, you're not alone. A body of research shows that the heat itself can interfere with your cognition, and the duration varies from person to person. But the prevalence and impact are more common than you might think. A study from the American Psychological Association found an eight percent increase in mental health-related emergency department visits on the hottest summer days, while similar studies document a 10% reduction in response times and accuracy on cognitive tests when people are exposed to warmer temperatures. Studies reveal that as temperatures rise, cognitive performance dips at temperatures of 79 degrees. Elevated temperatures lower the activity in your parasympathetic nervous system--the rest and digest response, antidote to the sympathetic nervous system or stress response. Oxygen saturation levels in the blood also are lower at elevated temperatures which are associated with reduced cognitive performance. Researchers have discovered an effect from heat on the productivity of office workers. Workplace productivity is highest when the air temperature is about 72 degrees, and productivity starts to drop off in the mid-70s. Another study shows when high school students take a standardized test on a hot day it's linked to poorer performance. While summer brain fog is real, the typical response is to double down on focus techniques—more caffeine, stricter schedules or forced concentration sessions. But a productivity expert I spoke with by email, suggests that this approach fights against how your brain naturally works during the summer months. Ryan Zhang, productivity expert and founder of told me that the biggest mistake people make with summer brain fog is treating it like a problem to eliminate. 'Brain fog is your brain shifting into a different, more creative operating mode," Zhang explains. 'When you learn to work with it instead of against it, you can stay incredibly productive while feeling less stressed." He informed me that summer brain fog happens because your mind naturally operates differently in warmer weather. Your brain shifts into a more relaxed, wandering mode that's better for making creative connections and seeing the bigger picture. "Think about it this way," Zhang suggests. "Your brain is trying to give you access to different types of thinking—the kind that generates breakthrough ideas and creative solutions. When you force it back into sharp focus mode, you're not just fighting brain fog, you're blocking innovation. The smart approach is to work with summer's wandering mind, not against it." It's important to mention balance. Your brain loves the warmer months. Longer daylight hours can improve mood and cognitive function. Exposure to sunlight gives you more vitamin D, which is linked to memory improvement and mood enhancement. But the culprit is loss of productivity due to extreme heat. Zhang shares expert strategies for maintaining productivity while working with, instead of against, your summer brain: 1. Redesign Your Work Rhythm. Instead of forcing eight-hour focus marathons, Zhang suggests working in 25-30 minute concentrated bursts, followed by 10-15 minute reflection breaks. He says your foggy brain actually performs better with this rhythm, and you'll accomplish more with less mental strain. This advice fits with what many people are doing this summer--taking slow summer vacations. 2. Capture Scattered Insights. Zhang advises you to take advantage of the fact that summer brain fog makes your mind wander. 'Keep simple note-taking tools handy to capture those random thoughts and connections. What feels like a distraction is often your brain making valuable associations.' 3. Use Fog Time for Creative Work. He recommends that you schedule your most creative tasks during peak fog hours. 'Brainstorming, strategic planning and problem-solving actually benefit from your brain's scattered state. Save routine tasks for when your focus naturally returns.' 4. Turn Conversations into Productivity Tools. Since summer brain fog makes you more open to the ideas and perspectives of others, Zhang suggests that you use this time for collaborative work, team discussions and idea-sharing sessions, adding that your relaxed mental state can lead to breakthrough insights. 5. Embrace Background Processing. It helps to give your foggy brain complex problems to work on in the background, according to Zhang. He recommends presenting yourself with a challenge, then do something completely different. Why? He points out that your diffuse attention will often solve what focused thinking couldn't. Aside from staying hydrated during summer heat, Zhang reminds us that the key to mitigating summer brain fog and boosting productivity is having simple systems to capture and develop the insights that emerge when your brain is in this more open, associative mode. 'Stop fighting your summer brain and start working with it,' he concludes. "When you align your work style with your brain's natural seasonal rhythms, you maintain productivity while reducing stress and increasing creativity.'
