Do people that have been guillotined stay conscious for a second or is the shock to much?

The question of whether people remain conscious after being guillotined is a topic of ongoing debate and scientific inquiry, but the majority of evidence and scientific consensus suggest that consciousness is lost very quickly.

Immediate Loss of Consciousness

• Studies and medical observations indicate that unconsciousness occurs within seconds after decapitation. This is due to the sudden loss of oxygenated blood to the brain, leading to brain ischemia and rapid loss of consciousness. It is estimated that consciousness is probably lost within 2-3 seconds23.

Reflexive Movements

• While there have been reports of severed heads showing signs of movement, such as blinking, eye movements, and facial expressions, these are generally attributed to reflexive twitching rather than deliberate conscious actions. These movements do not indicate that the person is still conscious or feeling pain234.

Brain Activity

• EEG studies on animals, particularly rats, have shown that brain activity ceases within a few seconds after decapitation. For example, one study found that rats lost consciousness within 3 seconds, with brain activity dying off completely within 10 seconds12.

Anecdotal Evidence

• Some historical accounts, such as those from the French Revolution, suggest that severed heads may have shown signs of consciousness, but these are anecdotal and not supported by scientific evidence. A notable account by Dr. Gabriel Beaurieux in 1905 described a guillotined man's eyes and lips moving for a few seconds, but this does not necessarily indicate conscious awareness34.

In summary, the scientific consensus is that people do not remain conscious for more than a few seconds after being guillotined, as the lack of oxygenated blood to the brain leads to rapid loss of consciousness. Any observed movements are likely reflexive and not indicative of conscious awareness.