What does it feel like to die?
It's a question that many are curious, if not a little scared about, but scientists are now closer than ever to understanding what actually happens while you're dying.
Recently, researchers studied the brains and bodies of dying people to gain new insight into what it feels like as you die.
First up, relaxation.
A recent meta-analysis found that most people in the Western world will die in medical institutions where the first sign of death is a loss of hunger and thirst.
Physicians call this the beginning of active dying, and it is caused by an intense feeling of relaxation where you will likely only be capable of handling small spoonfuls of food and water.
Step two of death, extreme fatigue and unconsciousness.
One study found that 72% of patients in this phase of death reported pre-death dreams involving reuniting with people who had already died.
59% said that they dreamed about getting ready to travel somewhere, and 28% dreamed of meaningful experiences from their past.
These pre-death dreams are happening because at this time, you are mostly asleep and even dipping into unconsciousness.
