Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Puck · 02-21-2003, 04:50 PM

Creepy, morbid question coming up...

I've always wondered...when a person is beheaded, wouldn't their brain still operate for a split or more seconds?

If so, then would they have seen the basket weave? Heard the crowd? Known for just a bit what was happening after their head was detatched?

Or, would 'instant' death, in this case, really be instant? I suspect not, I think they would either be cognizant for a tiny bit, or self protection would kick in and they would 'pass out'.

I'm really not a morbid person, but I've always wondered this, and whenever I've brought it up to folks, they shrug, or just know less than I do about brain function.

vixstile · 02-21-2003, 04:57 PM

Wasn't this exact subject discussed a month or so ago?

braces_for_impact · 02-21-2003, 05:02 PM

I'm interested to hear some replies...

8of9 · 02-21-2003, 05:13 PM

http://www.supersphere.com/Zinetropa...AME=guillotine

Puck · 02-21-2003, 05:50 PM

Thanks 8of9 for the link. Unfortunatly, it really didn't have an answer from a medical/scientific point of view.

Vixstile, I'll look in past threads and see if there isn't something there, thanks.

At least now, I know I'm not the only one to want to know about something so creepy!

Psycho Economist · 02-21-2003, 06:00 PM

My favorite quote:

"Reliable anecdotal evidence is somewhat sketchy, too."

More like reliable anecdotal evidence is an oxymoron.

sweep · 02-21-2003, 06:03 PM

I've heard it said that the brain slowly disconnects over about half an hour.

Puck · 02-21-2003, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sweep
I've heard it said that the brain slowly disconnects over about half an hour.

I consider that without oxygen we black out pretty quick, so that we wouldn't have conscience for very long, although I would think some little activity could happen for several minutes, we just wouldn't be aware for that long.

I did a search in past threads, but didn't find anything, but I didn't dig deep into all of them, so it's possible I missed it if there was this question posed already.

Abacus · 02-21-2003, 06:18 PM

You're not the only one who's thought about such things Puck. I've had dreams (okay, really nightmares) where I've dreamt about being beheaded and what it must be like.

I'd much rather dream about sex.

Ardon28 · 02-21-2003, 06:49 PM

I would think that the trauma of having the spine severed would bombard the brain with so many impulses that it would effectively be short circuited. By the time things settled out, the lack of oxygen would have killed the cells.

Of course, I do remember reading of an experiment where a victim was asked to wink after beheading, and was observed doing so.

02-21-2003, 04:50 PM	#1
Puck Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: A middle aged body. Posts: 3,459	Beheading Question - Creepy Creepy, morbid question coming up... I've always wondered...when a person is beheaded, wouldn't their brain still operate for a split or more seconds? If so, then would they have seen the basket weave? Heard the crowd? Known for just a bit what was happening after their head was detatched? Or, would 'instant' death, in this case, really be instant? I suspect not, I think they would either be cognizant for a tiny bit, or self protection would kick in and they would 'pass out'. I'm really not a morbid person, but I've always wondered this, and whenever I've brought it up to folks, they shrug, or just know less than I do about brain function.

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02-21-2003, 04:57 PM	#2
vixstile Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: California Posts: 2,029	Wasn't this exact subject discussed a month or so ago?

02-21-2003, 05:02 PM	#3
braces_for_impact Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In a nondescript, black helicopter. Posts: 6,637	I'm interested to hear some replies...

02-21-2003, 05:13 PM	#4
8of9 Regular Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Merryland Posts: 254	http://www.supersphere.com/Zinetropa...AME=guillotine

02-21-2003, 05:50 PM	#5
Puck Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: A middle aged body. Posts: 3,459	Thanks 8of9 for the link. Unfortunatly, it really didn't have an answer from a medical/scientific point of view. Vixstile, I'll look in past threads and see if there isn't something there, thanks. At least now, I know I'm not the only one to want to know about something so creepy!

02-21-2003, 06:00 PM	#6
Psycho Economist Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 854	My favorite quote: "Reliable anecdotal evidence is somewhat sketchy, too." More like reliable anecdotal evidence is an oxymoron.

02-21-2003, 06:03 PM	#7
sweep Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: sugar factory Posts: 873	I've heard it said that the brain slowly disconnects over about half an hour.

02-21-2003, 06:18 PM	#9
Abacus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: South Dakota Posts: 2,214	You're not the only one who's thought about such things Puck. I've had dreams (okay, really nightmares) where I've dreamt about being beheaded and what it must be like. I'd much rather dream about sex.

02-21-2003, 06:49 PM	#10
Ardon28 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hummelstown,PA Posts: 17	I would think that the trauma of having the spine severed would bombard the brain with so many impulses that it would effectively be short circuited. By the time things settled out, the lack of oxygen would have killed the cells. Of course, I do remember reading of an experiment where a victim was asked to wink after beheading, and was observed doing so.

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