A new study suggests that the human brain may remain active and conscious for some time after the heart stops beating, challenging long-held assumptions about the moments following death.

The research, led by Dr Sam Parnia, examined 53 cardiac arrest survivors across 25 hospitals in the United States and the United Kingdom. Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops, and it has been widely believed that the brain suffers irreversible damage within about 10 minutes due to oxygen deprivation.

However, the study, published in the journal Resuscitation, detected brain activity during resuscitation efforts, sometimes lasting up to an hour after the heart stopped. Around 40% of patients reported conscious thoughts or memories during their clinical death, with some recalling conversations and events in the room. Brain scans showed spikes in brain waves linked to thinking and awareness.

Dr Parnia said the findings indicate the brain may be more resilient than previously thought. He added that understanding this phenomenon could improve CPR techniques and treatment of brain injuries following cardiac arrest. The study has sparked debate among medical experts on the nature of consciousness and the definition of death.

Experts urge that the results may help refine resuscitation practices and deepen understanding of how the human brain responds to extreme stress and oxygen deprivation.

With inputs from BBC