Medically, clinical death is defined as the cessation of heartbeat and breathing . For decades, it was assumed that once this occurred, consciousness would be extinguished instantly. However, recent research has begun to challenge this idea. Studies of patients who have suffered cardiac arrest and were subsequently resuscitated indicate that some have retained memories , perceptions of their surroundings, and even a clear sense of the passage of time while they were considered clinically dead. These accounts do not constitute definitive proof, but they have opened up a deep debate about what happens during those critical moments.
In biological terms , death is not an immediate event, but a gradual process . Following the lack of oxygen, the body initiates autolysis , a mechanism by which cells begin to progressively decompose. This phenomenon can last for hours or even days , depending on factors such as temperature and environment. Meanwhile, research conducted in hospitals has detected that, after cardiac arrest, the brain can maintain some electrical activity for several minutes. In some cases, brain waves associated with memory and consciousness have been recorded up to ten minutes after clinical death, a finding that calls into question previous assumptions.
The most complex question arises when trying to answer the question of whether consciousness , or what many traditions call the "soul," can exist beyond the physical body. Science has not been able to prove this conclusively, but it has documented so-called near-death experiences . People who have experienced these extreme situations describe recurring sensations: a feeling of separation from their body, the perception of an intense light , a rapid review of their own lives, and a profound sense of peace . For some researchers, these phenomena could be explained by neurochemical changes, such as the release of neurotransmitters and substances also present in states of deep sleep or intense meditation.
