Simona Kossak (1943-2007) Polish biologist, ecologist, author, PhD in forestry, and uncompromising conservation activist. They called her a witch, because she chatted with animals and owned a terrorist-crow, who stole gold and attacked bicycle riders.She spent more than 30 years in a wooden hut in the Białowieża Forest, without electricity or access to running water. A lynx slept in her bed, and a tamed boar lived under the same roof with her. She was a scientist, ecologist and the author of award-winning films, as well as radio broadcasts. She was also an activist who fought for the protection of Europe’s oldest forest. Simona believed that one ought to live simply, and close to nature. Among animals she found that which she never found with humans.
A new study shows that as the brain dies intense experiences akin to dreams or visons are generated by the brain. This is based on the study of patients dying from cardiac arrest in hospital. The brain generates gamma waves and the memory areas and visual areas of the brain are lit up like the Vegas strip for from thirty seconds ro several minutes.
"The study involved four comatose patients who had heart attacks. Shortly after patients' ventilators were removed, two of the monitored brains showed surges in gamma waves associated with organized activity patterns in different parts of the brain. In the temporoparietal junction, a region already known to be active in out-of-body experiences and dreams, the gamma wave activity was particularly intense. Unfortunately, since all the patients in the study ultimately died, it's still not clear whether the surges represented truly conscious experience." (source Newser)
Medical researchers believe that it is this experience that accounts for the "Near Death Experiences" or "NDF" that people experience, This is the proverbial "life flashing before my eyes" experience. Interestinglyy, another study cited shows the same patterj in mice and other mammals. This suggests that it is somehow selected for by evolution but why? What evolutionary benefit could this surge of light and memory serve? Religious people contend that this is the soul preparing to leap from the body,
What do you think?
Neuroscience Journal PNAS : Last Activity in the Dying Brain