Lucid Dying

From internationally renowned expert in resuscitation and New York Times bestselling author Sam Parnia, MD, PhD, comes a groundbreaking look at what happens to us when we die, based on the largest-ever research study run on recalled experiences of death.

Today, for the first time in history, the scientific exploration of death and what happens when we die is real, active and ongoing. Contrary to popular perceptions, this subject is no longer the remit of philosophy, religion, or personal opinion. Truly remarkable scientific discoveries that will fundamentally affect everyone’s lives now and in the future are taking place, yet very few people are aware of them.  Most people—including scientists and doctors—maintain strong beliefs about death and its experience. Those beliefs are rooted in traditional, and often cultural, notions of death. But what if all that we have come to believe about death is fundamentally wrong? What if the paradigm we have been operating within no longer exists? What if death is not the end we thought?

Lucid Dying is the first book to share that science. Presenting data derived from multiple groundbreaking studies, Dr. Parnia shows that the entity we refer to as consciousness—our Self—does not seem to become annihilated when we die. In fact, during death, our consciousness vastly expands and leads to a vivid experience that follows a very specific narrative arc.

These studies support that there really is a universal experience of death that is meaningful, transcendent, positive, and transformative—not hallucinatory, delusional, or illusory as previously imagined. In his latest book, Dr. Parnia weaves empirical research with gripping stories to show us the truth of how death is not the end we all thought and how anyone can harness the newfound wisdom to lead deeper, more intentional lives.

• "This engaging blend of new research and personal experience tackles fundamental questions about existence and awareness."
  Kirkus Reviews
• “A compelling, profound, and inspiring book, synthesizing new scientific discoveries and documented conscious experiences during death, that will transform not only your understanding of the process of death, but of life itself. Written by one of the world’s leading resuscitation scientists, Lucid Dying is a must read.”
  Dr. Tom P. Aufderheide, MD, Professor and Director of the Resuscitation Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin
• “In Lucid Dying. Dr Parnia remarkably communicates challenging scientific, philosophical, and ethical concepts, so that the reader is enthralled and educated in equal measures. This thought-provoking book opens the door on a fascinating but controversial topic.”
  Dr. Jerry Nolan, MD, Professor of Intensive Care Medicine and Anesthesiology, University of Bristol, and editor-in-chief, Resuscitation
• “In Lucid Dying, Dr. Sam Parnia guides us through groundbreaking progress made in understanding the black box of humanity: the border of life and death. With gripping detail, he sheds much-needed light on the dissonance between perceptions of science and the social concept of death—a treat not only for experts in the field, but for anyone interested in human consciousness. I savored this book and could not put it down.”
  Dr. Carolina Maciel, MD, Associate Professor and Director of Neurocritical Care Research, University of Florida
• “Sam Parnia is a leading doctor and resuscitation scientist who happens to be a great storyteller.  In Lucid Dying, he shares the stories behind new scientific findings that are blurring the boundaries between life and death, and that challenge the conventional thinking on what happens to our mind and soul when we die.”
  Dr. Jasmeet Soar, Associate Professor of Intensive Care Medicine and Anesthesiology, University of Bristol, and editor, Resuscitation
• “In Lucid Dying, Sam Parnia puts forth an extremely informed and scholarly assault on our conventional notions of what happens when we die.  This book is a riveting analysis of the science focusing on the final journey that we all will take."
  Dr. Stephan Mayer, MD, Professor and Director of Neurocritical Care and Emergency Neurology Services, New York Medical College