The enigma of the soul: What is the truth behind its post-mortem departure?

From a medical perspective, clinical death is defined as the cessation of heartbeat and respiration. However, recent research challenges the notion of this immediate transition.

Studies have shown that consciousness can persist for several minutes even after cardiac arrest. Some cardiac arrest survivors have shared detailed recollections: conversations between doctors, sounds, and sensations… Fascinating accounts that raise questions about the clarity of the boundary between life and death.

What happens in the body after death?
With the cessation of the heartbeat, a natural process begins: autolysis, or spontaneous cell decomposition. Deprived of oxygen, the cells begin to slowly break down. This phenomenon can last from several hours to several days, influenced by temperature and the body’s conditions.

The brain does not shut down immediately. Research from Western University in 2018 revealed electrical signals up to ten minutes after clinical death, fueling the idea that some form of activity — or residual consciousness — could persist briefly after death.