All death caused by lack of oxygen to brain

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the claim that all deaths are caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. Participants explore this assertion in the context of various scenarios, including extreme cases like explosions and the effects of pure oxygen on human physiology.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the assertion by suggesting that death can occur from causes other than lack of oxygen, such as being blown up, which would result in immediate brain destruction.
  • Another participant discusses the clinical definition of death, noting that while oxygen is critical for brain function, the absence of neurological activity also defines death, regardless of oxygen supply.
  • A different viewpoint emphasizes that humans cannot survive on pure oxygen, arguing that this fact contradicts the idea that lack of oxygen is the sole cause of death.
  • One participant suggests that it is possible to damage the brain in ways that do not involve oxygen deprivation, questioning the validity of the original claim.
  • Another participant expresses frustration with the topic, implying that it has been debated previously and suggesting that some discussions should remain closed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the causes of death, with no consensus reached on the validity of the original claim about oxygen deprivation being the sole cause.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight various scenarios and definitions of death, indicating that the discussion is influenced by differing interpretations of what constitutes death and the role of oxygen in brain function.

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I saw this in a locked topic:

metaquantum said:
DaveC426913 said:
All deaths (100%) have the same cause: lack of oxygen to the brain.

even if you strap yourself with 500 kilos of dynamite and blow it up? and what if you actually pump oxygen into your brain, and die because of that?
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=141288

Who is right?
 
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Technically, if one could isolate the brain and provide it with oxygen and nourishment (e.g. glucuse), one would be considered 'alive'.

One has to look at the clinical definition of death. Clearly, without oxygen, the brain dies.

On the other hand, if there is no neurological activity, then one is considered 'brain dead', but the other organs could be kept alive 'artificially' for some time. One could oxygenate the brain, but if the brain cells have ceaesed to function, and are decaying, then the brain is dead, and one is dead.
 
i think that it is not 100% deaths because of lack of oxygen to the head, i mean just like he said strap yourself with 500 kilos of dynamite and your still breathing the second it goes off you die because your brain got blown into bits not because oxygen didnt get to your brain, plus he is again right, humans cannot breath in pure oxygen because then they die, that just disproves his theory
 
Well, I suppose if you try really hard you can find ways of disassembling the brain such that it stops living even though there's no lack of oxygen...

but really, isn't that stretching it a bit?
 
And that's why some threads have been locked, and should stay that way. :rolleyes:
 

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