Five minutes after death, the body begins to undergo various changes, including:
- Brain cells may still be alive: While the heart stops beating, some brain cells might still function for a short period. This is why some reflexes, like a knee-jerk reaction, can still occur in the first few minutes after death.
- The heart may still beat briefly: Even without a blood supply, the heart can continue to beat for a short while.
- The liver continues processing alcohol: A healthy liver can keep breaking down alcohol even after death.
- Rigor mortis begins: The process of rigor mortis, the stiffening of muscles, starts to set in.
While the body is still going through changes, it is important to note that consciousness and brain activity have ceased. These changes are purely physiological and do not indicate any form of awareness or afterlife experiences.
