i think i read somewhere that in a controlled experiment we lose 15 grammes as the 'soul' departs..
2006-10-18 17:19:47 · 19 answers · asked by mark b 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
In fact, there was a doctor, Dr. Duncan MacDougall of Haverhill, Massachusetts, who preformed perimortem experiments on terminal patients. His experiments, while accepted at first, could never be recreated and therefore was never proved as a fact. There were too many complications with the way he conducted his studies. He actually constructed a bed on a scale and at one time concluded that, on average, these terminally ill patients lost about 21 grams when they died. But the fact remains that no such experience has ever been recreated and could probably be attributed to the fact that before death, some people take in a deep breath and then expel it after passing, which could contribute to weight loss. So far, there has been no scientific basis for a soul or anything related to it, although some people believed (at one time or another) that the soul resides in the liver. The reasoning is actually quite sound. Your liver directs many of the processes in your body. So if your a true believer, don't give up hope, it could be anywhere.
2006-10-18 18:51:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The only weight loss at the point of death is the very small amount as the lungs expire the last breath. Other larger weight losses follow almost immediately and these are the result of urination and defaecation. This does not happen in all instances. Since there is a lot of discussion and difficulty in defining the exact point of death some argue that the loss of urine and faeces is at the point of death. I have heard of the 'soul loss' but to my knowledge this has never been properly demonstrated.
2006-10-18 23:18:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We do indeed lose weight at the point of death but it is generally due the bowl contents departing not the soul. When someone dies there bowl relax causing the release of some of it's contents.
2006-10-18 23:37:18 · answer #3 · answered by blue_cabbage 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At the point of death I really don't think we would care about how much we weigh. After all the spirit leaves the body behind. Unless your trying to weigh how much the spirit weighs and I'm thinking you would, as that spirit have so many other more important things going thru your mind or thoughts or what ever it is that the spirit thinks with!! Now there's a question!
2006-10-18 18:04:03 · answer #4 · answered by Carolyn T 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I remember hearing about that study. Now I'm thinking if everyone loses 15g's as the soul departs. Then everyone has a soul and they all weigh the same. One size fits all. I wonder If jesus's soul weighed 15g's.
2006-10-18 17:59:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
there was a film with Naomi Watts called 21 grams which was touching on this subject. Quite interesting.
2006-10-18 22:04:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The loss, is the weight of the air leaving the lungs for the last time.
2006-10-18 18:28:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
besides the soul. there is no longer oxygen taken in to the body.Also some body fluids escape. Organ function suts down.And tissue compresses
2006-10-18 18:04:13 · answer #8 · answered by clcalifornia 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think i'll just stick to doing sit ups and staying away from the cookies and ice cream thank you very much
2006-10-18 23:37:54 · answer #9 · answered by Star dust 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only thing that gets lighter after you die is your wallet, the cost when they bury you...(the poor wee soul)
2006-10-18 18:36:24 · answer #10 · answered by smithy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋