Do human heads retain some semblance of consciousness immediately after being chopped off from the guillotine? I think they probably do, for a short time. Here's a doctor's report, from the year 1905:

" Read this report from 1905. The report is written by Dr Beaurieux, who under perfect circumstances experimented with the head of Languille, guillotined at 5.30 a.m. on June 28th, 1905

" I consider it essential for you to know that Languille displayed an extraordinary sang-froid (calmness) and even courage from the moment when he was told, that his last hour had come, until the moment when he walked firmly to the scaffold. It may well be, in fact, that the conditions for observation, and consequently the phenomena, differ greatly according to whether the condemned persons retain all their sang-froid (calmness/coolness) and are fully in control of themselves, or whether they are in such state of physical and mental prostration that they have to be carried to the place of execution, and are already half-dead, and as though paralysed by the appalling anguish of the fatal instant.

"The head fell on the severed surface of the neck and I did not therefor have to take it up in my hands, as all the newspapers have vied with each other in repeating; I was not obliged even to touch it in order to set it upright. Chance served me well for the observation, which I wished to make.

"Here, then, is what I was able to note immediately after the decapitation: the eyelids and lips of the guillotined man worked in irregularly rhythmic contractions for about five or six seconds. This phenomenon has been remarked by all those finding themselves in the same conditions as myself for observing what happens after the severing of the neck...

"I waited for several seconds. The spasmodic movements ceased. The face relaxed, the lids half closed on the eyeballs, leaving only the white of the conjunctiva visible, exactly as in the dying whom we have occasion to see every day in the exercise of our profession, or as in those just dead. It was then that I called in a strong, sharp voice: "Languille!" I saw the eyelids slowly lift up, without any spasmodic contractions – I insist advisedly on this peculiarity – but with an even movement, quite distinct and normal, such as happens in everyday life, with people awakened or torn from their thoughts.
Next Languille's eyes very definitely fixed themselves on mine and the pupils focused themselves. I was not, then, dealing with the sort of vague dull look without any expression, that can be observed any day in dying people to whom one speaks: I was dealing with undeniably living eyes which were looking at me. "After several seconds, the eyelids closed again, slowly and evenly, and the head took on the same appearance as it had had before I called out.

"It was at that point that I called out again and, once more, without any spasm, slowly, the eyelids lifted and undeniably living eyes fixed themselves on mine with perhaps even more penetration than the first time. Then there was a further closing of the eyelids, but now less complete. I attempted the effect of a third call; there was no further movement – and the eyes took on the glazed look which they have in the dead."

"I have just recounted to you with rigorous exactness what I was able to observe. The whole thing had lasted twenty-five to thirty seconds."

http://www.metaphor.dk/guillotine/Pages/30sec.html

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I find this fascinating. The executed man's eyes, according to the doctor, undeniably focused upon his own, more than once.

What do you think? Is this possible?

According to medical research, yes, you are still alive after you've been decapitated. I think the timespan was about thirteen seconds. I remember the story of Charlotte Corday's execution at the guillotine. When the executioner slapped the cheek on her severed head, it turned red. I think she's also the one that when the executioner held her head up for the crowd to see, the people gasped as the eyes scanned the vast crowd. Though that part may have been some other woman.

Anyways, it's not the decapitation itself that kills you, it's the lack of blood and oxygen going to the brain. The brain is still very much alive during those thirteen seconds or so, but the person may not be conscious depending on if they were conscious or not when they were decapitated. So yes, it's possible for someone to still be fully aware even though his/her head was severed from the body.

Well, I'm glad my first post has been so educational, and about a topic so bloodily awesome. You're welcome.

Hey Roughneck, welcome to U-M, and thanks for the information.

What Roughneck said. Its not only possible, but likely for a person to be more or less concious after having their head chopped off. One of Henry the Eighths wives was said to clearly blink her eyes and whisper somthing inaudible after being decapitated, then appear totally dead. I'll do a Google for it if you like.

A very creepy idea indeed, to have the head of someone go on living without a body, reminesceant of the story The Head of Jean Claude, which disturbed me greatly as a child and is highly recomended.

Which is why a bullet through the brain would be more humane, not that I believe an execution can ever be humane by definition. The killing of a person can never be the right thing to do or humane unless in the act of self defense, which forms part of everybody's basic rights.

What he said.

This is creepy, but such a fascinating topic. Yes I believe there is so. And, as I have already said in some other thread, I remember my friend (who read alot of Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas) once told me, that guillotinated heads used to chew through the baskets they are put in after decapitation. Because of pain. I'm not sure if this is truth, though, it doesn't sound like truth, but who knows...

Ive heard that the eyes and mind still see for about 3 seconds after the big chop, dont quote me!

Heard of that too. Supposedly the brain's nerve centre continues working until it runs out of blood.

Aw man... its late at night over here... and you had to go say that!

sorry ... but you don't mind late at night reading a thread about decapitation!

The head does stay alive for around ten to thirteen seconds, as blood pressure from the head slowly depletes because of severed arteries and veins drain the brain of blood.


Thanks, GUNNARYSEARGENTHARTMAN

Yes, for the same reason that unlike in the movies, people don't just drop down dead even if shot straight through the heart. They can perform meaningful action for up to twenty seconds, until blood pressure drops very low and they have used up the oxygen already in and around their brain.

If the central nervous system is not severely damaged and bleeding is relatively slow they can function for even longer than that.

Don't believe what you see in the movies!

During the French Revolution they would raise the heads up for the crowd to see, I remember reading that people swore that some of the mouths on the decapitated heads would move like they were trying to scream. I can't see why everything would stop functioning before the blood runs out

Well that's it, you are correct, there is no reason for the head to die immediately.

It's a shame they didn't do a study of this during the French revolution. But if i remember right they said on some the eyes moved. Must have been a heck of a last sight to see a wicker basket from the inside.

It's a gruesome way to go if you think of it, the realisation of what just happened to you, the weightlessness of being picked up and held in front of hundreds of jeering faces brutal way to die!

Exactly, no matter where you slice on the neck, the blood won't just gush out, it would slowly deplete (I say slowly, I mean in the space of 10 to 13 seconds, I think many people think that once you are decapitated, your dead immediately, when its not the case at all.

Thanks, GUNNARYSEARGENTHARTMAN

i dont see why u would die straight away as long as u have blood and oxygen u should stay alive

Google the Russian video of decapitated German Shepard dogs being resuscitated. They surgically removed their heads, and surgically kept some blood flow going for a short period of time. The dogs did indeed exhibit reflexive behavior for quite some time if I recall. They would lick their noses when a wet swab was placed on it. Disturbing, but educational.

I have a question? How does anyone know what a decapitated head can and can't do? How do we know it can still see after its been chopped off? Did someone quickly have a mic up to the decapitated head and be like...quick in 3 seconds or less, explain what you feel or see..........."I can't you dumbass, I am dead"

A first-hand account, from the opening post:

"I waited for several seconds. The spasmodic movements ceased. The face relaxed, the lids half closed on the eyeballs, leaving only the white of the conjunctiva visible, exactly as in the dying whom we have occasion to see every day in the exercise of our profession, or as in those just dead. It was then that I called in a strong, sharp voice: "Languille!" I saw the eyelids slowly lift up, without any spasmodic contractions – I insist advisedly on this peculiarity – but with an even movement, quite distinct and normal, such as happens in everyday life, with people awakened or torn from their thoughts.
Next Languille's eyes very definitely fixed themselves on mine and the pupils focused themselves. I was not, then, dealing with the sort of vague dull look without any expression, that can be observed any day in dying people to whom one speaks: I was dealing with undeniably living eyes which were looking at me. "After several seconds, the eyelids closed again, slowly and evenly, and the head took on the same appearance as it had had before I called out.

"It was at that point that I called out again and, once more, without any spasm, slowly, the eyelids lifted and undeniably living eyes fixed themselves on mine with perhaps even more penetration than the first time. Then there was a further closing of the eyelids, but now less complete. I attempted the effect of a third call; there was no further movement – and the eyes took on the glazed look which they have in the dead."

"I have just recounted to you with rigorous exactness what I was able to observe. The whole thing had lasted twenty-five to thirty seconds."

As crazy and well written as that was....well, kinda changed my stance lol.

However, could it not be coincidence or perhaps the ability to capture in thought of what you wanted to see? Like looking at a picture, you feel as though wherever you go, the eyes in the picture follow you. Not trying to stem an arguement but just wanted to think outside of the box a little I guess....

it would also respond to sudden loud noises that were made behind it

Crazzzzy.

Well a severed head wouldn't be able to actually speak because there are no lungs to push air through the voice box that is no longer attached to the head. It seems likely that the tongue could move, as well as the lips, in essence mouthing out words.

A very disturbing, yet highly interesting topic.

I can't imagine calmly sitting there trying to speak to this head that just landed infront of me. Especially after interacting with the man before hand about the whole thing. Not exactly dinner talk for the wife.

Hypervolaemic shock would cause unconsciouness in seconds. Less than 10. While some reaction to stimulus may be retained for longer than that they would be autonomic and not truly conscious. There would definetely be very acute pain in those first few seconds as well, no matter how cleanly the cut was made.

A severed head is alive until the oxygenated blood either drains completely, or the oxygen in the blood remaining is used up in the areas of the brain where the blood may pool, depending on the position of the hear once it falls and comes to rest.


The reason is because the brain remains completely intact in a decapitation.

The head would feel the pain of the decapitation caused by the blade slicing through the skin, the neck muscles and the spinal cord.

The only true manner of inflicting instant death free of any percception of pain would be via the instant destruction of the brain itself, such as would be caused by an instantaneous crushing of the entire head, such as in a high-speed pneumatic vise.

Although this ^ technique would require some higher paid janitors.

Even after the oxygenated blood became depleted from the brain, I think it (the brain) would continue some form of thought process for at least a short time.

This sounds creepy.

Considering that such evidence comes from medical journals and accounts from executioners and witnesses, it's pretty solid evidence. I mean, we can't know for sure if the person or animal is actually fully aware or if their brain is firing, and hence, stimulating responses, but the fact that there is a response is there.

Since it's so unlikely to be investigated in modern times, we're left with accounts from when decapitation was a current method of execution. If I were to answer my own opening post, I'd lean toward severed heads reacting in a cognizant manner, in that precious half-minute post drop-of-blade..

she didnt whisper but move her lips as if to say something.

there would be no pain, its like the case when a woman was stabbed in the head and continued to walk as normal but found out later as a woman screamed and told her what was in her head.

the only thing that your brain needs to survive is blood and oxygen. You still be 'alive' until you head drains all the blood out.

Wouldn't it be interesting if someone had a neverending supply of blood and then got themselves beheaded and then you'll be just a head. Sorta like futurama

That's not entirely true. Blood pressure is more important and needs to be maintained when it comes to the brain. As soon as that is cut off blood diffusion in the brain would instantly stop and you'd lose complete conciousness very quickly. Though, as I said, lower order brain functions could continue such as reacting to loud noises or touch. That is far different than being conscious. It's like being in a coma.

The story of the lady with the knife in her head reminds me of a book I once had by a famous british pathologist. In it he mentions the case of a man who went out to a park near his home.In the park was a gazebo,wherehe proceeded to shoot himself in the head. The man didn't die right away. He got up from where he was sitting and wandered around a bit(they could tell by the trail of blood} and then he walked home,and acted normal as far as anyone could tell,and then died sometime later that evening.

In the book,City on Fire,about the famous fire in Texas City,Tx in the 1940s or early 50s,the author mentions a woman seen running with a child,holding the child's hand,until the woman fell over dead. This woman had no head!But the body kept on moving even after she lost her head.I will have to check out the book from the Schertz library and post the author's name and page number of this item in the book.
There is also a story from Germany, back in the middle ages of a knight or baron who went around robbing and pillaging.Anyhow,he was to be executed in front of his sons,who also participated I think in his raids.Anyhow,he asked if they would spare the lives of his sons, if he could walk past them after they did the deed. Of course the executioner laughed and said,sure,why not.So his head was chopped off.The body then proceeded to walk past his i believe five sons before it finally collasped.
I'm sure someone here knows this story and can tell it better than I.I believe that the castle this German noble owned is haunted and you can visit the place in Germany.It is a real place.

I would also like to point out, that the brain cannot feel pain, so technically, a person can have work done to their brain without anesthetic or sleeping gas. they could actually rouse a patient during an operation oin the brain. Say they cut off the top part of the skull, they could actually rouse the patient and then do the operation without sleeping gas lol. On to the subject of decapitated heads, as I have said before, once the blood pressure depletes from the brain (takes around ten to 13 seconds) they would then die. The only way for us to truly know what it feels like, is for it to happen to us. which I hope won't ever happen


Thanks, GUNNARYSEARGENTHARTMAN

I've thought about this before. I also read an article in the BBC Focus science magazine on the subject of painless execution. I learned from that article that pain signals travel at 0.61m/s (metres per second). Given the short distance the signals need to travel fron neck to brain, the signal is going to get to the sensors damn quick.

I therefore would choose to have a ring of C4 explosive wrapped around my head and detonated for a painless death. The gas expansion of C4 is at a velocity of 8,050m/s. That is going to do the job without a care being able to pass through the brain.

Of course pistol bullets travel much faster that 0.61m/s, more like 300m/s for a .45 but total destruction of the brain could not be guaranteed with such a "small" projectile.

I believe that such "humane" methods are not used for societies sake. They are a squeamish lot and it appears that as long as it doesn't look messy then it's acceptable. As a long subscribing anti-death penalty advocate I think that those governments that do execute their citizens should do it both publicly and gorily, maybe with explosives like I described. I would hope that it may put people off the idea of capital punishment but then again, many people seem to love gore and that may backfire.

now this makes me think about the other half - the body. Does the head, suddenly detached, still feel it's arms and legs like a "ghost limb" of some sort..?
The head stays alive for some time, then the body should for even longer... what a split of personality... the body is alive, moving, but has no brain and personality. aahhh.

Actually I have met a few with heads that fit this description

joking aside it is a grim but fascinationg notion. I think its fair to say though the chance of concious activity is slim. As pointed out earlier the blood pressure would be effected and we all know what happens if people get all light headed. Just think of the advice given when you gve blood. I should imagine you would be unconcious very quicky with (as stated before) reactions remaining breifly that are similar to that of someone in a coma.

Many current brain surgeries are done while the patient is awake.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/awake-brain-surg...in-mapping.html

I believe, though i may be wrong, in much brain surgery it is essential for a patneit to be concious for some of it in order to make sure they operate on the right bits. The basics are often mapped out the same but the fine tuning isn't. SO for example if an area of the brain is near a speech center they give it little shocks or something while the patient counts to pin point the essentail areas and make sure theya ren't doing any damage. If they hit an important bit the speech will become confused.. or lost.. and they know to be careful of that area.

I wouldn't want to be awake for brain surgery, that is for sure.

Me too lol, it would be freaky and scary haviong a conversation with someone while someone is doing that to you lol


Thanks GUNNARYSEARGENTHARTMAN

I don't think there would be time for a lot of pain, because people with catastrophic injuries usually go into immediate shock which delays the pain sensors. The more severe the injury, the more likely shock will occur. I had the first digit of one of my fingers cut off with a lawnmower and it didn't hurt at all until several hours later. The shots to numb it so they could sew it back on hurt more than cutting it off. There are lots of stories of people who fell off a cliff or something and broke half their bones, yet were able to crawl for a couple days to safety because the adreneline in their bodies shut down the pain sensors for a time.

The head probably wouldn't be conscious for long because of the drop in blood pressure, but that is not to say it wouldn't be aware for longer. There are lots of stories of people in comas who could hear and smell things around them even tho they were unconscious. Or who see their own bodies on the operating table while they seem to float above it. I think they would more likely be overwhelmed with feelings of sadness or anger than pain.

When your heart stops pumping or you drown, it can take up to four minutes for total brain death to occur.

At Anne Boleyn's execution, when her head was held up, the onlookers saw her eyes and lips still moving, which was just a reflex action resulting from the shock of the decapitation to the nervous system, yet to Tudor eyes an almost supernatural phenomenon.

From http://norfolkcoast.co.uk/myths/ml_blickling.htm:

It takes only one stroke of the Frenchman's sword to sever Anne’s slender neck and to detach her head from her body. As the executioner holds her head up high for the large crowd who have gathered to witness the first public execution of an English queen, Anne’s eyes continue to move and her mouth continues to utter her dying prayer “To Jesus Christ I commend my soul; Lord Jesu receive my soul."

Just watched the old video of the russians keeping a dogs head alive for 30-40 mins as mentioned earlier in the thread, and sure enough the dog pricks its ears up to noises, licks his nose when citric acid is placed on his nose, and do you know what, if it worked on a dog, you just know its been tried on humans aaaaaaaaggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's usually what they keep you awake for - keep chatting, and if your speech goes weird, they've probably cut the wrong wire!

Yep, I think that'd freak me out too! Having seen several videos of this sort of thing taking place, I'm always amazed by the calm, matter-of-fact way surgery patients accept someone's tinkering hands inside their head.




On this subject, I do remember a story I heard - no reference, sorry, I think I saw it on TV - about a guy who got shot in the head without knowing. He was a journalist, and for some reason presented for a head X-ray (I think as part of his work). The radiologist noted a bullet lodged in his brain! He asked the obvious question, "Have you ever been shot in the head?" to which the journalist replied "not to my knowledge". But he described having a bit of a think, and then remembered covering the story of a riot approximately ten years previously. He said he had been about to get into his car and go home, when something hit him on the head, and sent him sprawling onto the bonnet. He thought he'd been hit by a brick, so drove home and went to bed with a sizeable headache. The wound healed over the next little while, and he didn't give it too much thought after that!

Like some other posters on this thread, I've also given this subject a little bit more thought than is strictly healthy. In the hopefully unlikely event that I ever get publicly (or privately) decapitated, you're all invited - three winks with my left eye, and you'll know I'm conscious!