Expert reveals what could happen to your brain an hour before you die

For a lot of people, death is terrifying. But is it possible that the last moments of our lives are nothing but joy and happiness? As if, in the final stretch of our existence, our brains had planned some kind of ultimate reward so that we could leave in peace? This theory may seem hard to believe, but it's certainly what a number of neuropsychological studies have shown. Hereare some explanations.

Our brains produce a triple dose of serotonin

In 2011, a study published in the journal Neuroscience letters showed that death may not be all that sad. At least, not in the last hour of life. According to their experiment, carried out on 6 rats, serotonin levels triple before the fateful hour.

Also known as the 'happiness hormone', this molecule helps to regulate emotions and moods, and plays a vital role as a neurotransmitter.

Associated with happiness, the increase in this chemical in our brains is said to produce a mechanical feeling of drunkenness in the hour before we die. The researchers do not rule out the possibility that such a phenomenon could also occur in humans.

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Serotonin is an incredible neurotransmitter

Alexander Wutzler, psychiatrist and lead author of the study, explains that:

This phenomenon could be due to the neuroprotective activity of the brain's serotonin system, which subjectively makesdeath easier due to the mood-enhancing function of this neurotransmitter.

Seamus Coyle, a researcher in clinical psychology at the University of Liverpool, who wrote an article on the subject for the BBC website, also supports this hypothesis.

There are a number of processes in the brain that can help us overcome intense pain,

This is why soldiers on the battlefield often don't feel pain despite a heavy injury.

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This article has been translated from Gentside FR.

Sources used:

ScienceDirect: Elevation of brain serotonin during dying

BBC: Death: can our final moment be euphoric?