After twelve years of extensive research, Professor Harry Coumnas has some interesting insights to share on the concept of “Afterlife”. While he was researching on this intriguing subject, he conducted a study on around 2000 people to determine if the thoughts continue even after their heart stops beating. The results revealed that only 2% of the people had the feeling of an outer body experience where an individual is completely aware of his/her surroundings, which means he/she can hear as well as see what’s going on around them even when their heart stops beating. Around half of them said that the experience was not of awareness, but that of an overpowering fear.

The research involved people that had survived heart attack and are now back to their normal life. Interestingly, around 40% of them said that they experienced a strong form of awareness even after they were pronounced dead by the doctors. According to Harry Coumnas, all this happens due to the brain dying from the top, which means that our sense of self, sense of humor, and ability to think ahead - all goes within the first 10 to 20 seconds. As the wave of blood starved brain cells spreads out, our memories and language centers short out, until we’re left with just a core.

About Harry Coumnas

Harry Coumnas is a Harvard graduate, neurosurgeon, psychologist, and former professor at Duke University Medical Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital. He has had hospital appointments at Clark Women Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Boston Children's Hospital. Outside of work, Harry enjoys sports, photography, traveling, and exploring different cultures.