Dea
th is a natural part of life, but it remains one of the most feared and mysterious phenomena in the world. Throughout history, people have tried to understand and come to terms with death, leading to a wealth of knowledge and folklore surrounding the subject. Here are some cold, hard facts about death that you may not have known.
1. Your body changes after death When the heart stops beating and blood is no longer circulating, the body begins to break down. Within minutes, the skin stops receiving oxygen and turns pale. After several hours, bacteria in the gut start to break down the body's tissues, causing the skin to turn green and brown. Eventually, the body becomes unrecognizable.
2. Your brain keeps working after death Even though the rest of the body is dying, the brain can continue to function for a short time. Studies have shown that brain activity can continue for up to 10 minutes after the heart stops beating. This activity may explain why some people report experiencing a "near-death" experience, in which they feel as though they are floating outside their body.
3. Your hair and nails continue to grow Although the rest of the body is breaking down, your hair and nails may appear to continue growing after death. This is because the skin around the hair and nails begins to shrink, giving the appearance of increased growth.
4. There is no universal definition of death Different cultures and medical institutions have different definitions of what constitutes death. Some consider it to be when the heart stops beating, while others believe it is when brain activity ceases. In fact, there are many cases of people who have been declared "brain dead" but continue to have a beating heart.
5. Your body moves after death It's a common belief that the body becomes completely still after death, but this isn't always the case. In some circumstances, the body may twitch or jerk due to muscle contractions caused by the breakdown of chemicals in the body.
6. Burial practices can affect the environment Different burial practices have different ecological impacts. Traditional burials with embalming fluid, caskets, and concrete vaults can lead to pollution and the release of harmful chemicals into the environment. Some people choose to be buried in eco-friendly, biodegradable caskets or urns, or to be cremated to reduce the carbon footprint.
7. There is a profession called a death doula Like a birth doula or midwife, a death doula provides end-of-life care and support for the dying and their families. They help people come to terms with their mortality, provide comfort, and offer guidance on funeral planning and other end-of-life services.
8. You can become a diamond after death A company called LifeGem offers a unique service in which they extract carbon from a person's ashes and use it to create a diamond that can be worn as a keepsake. This process takes several months and requires high amounts of heat and pressure, but the result is a beautiful and unique way to remember a loved one.
9. There are death cafes Death cafes are informal social gatherings where people can come together to discuss death and dying over a cup of coffee or tea. These meetups provide a safe space for people to talk about what is often a taboo subject and offer support for one another.
10 Death is the only certainty in life While we may never fully understand or come to terms with death, it's a reminder that life is precious and should be lived to the fullest. We have the power to make the most of our time on this earth, to create meaningful connections, and to leave a positive impact on the world around us.