# Head surviving after decapitation (Briefly) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [August 14, 2003, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/head-surviving-after-decapitation-briefly/195116 "2003-08-14T12:21:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DoctorMelkor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@DoctorMelkor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorMelkor)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/head-surviving-after-decapitation-briefly/195116/1 "2003-08-14T12:21:08Z")
Dear Cecil, I have heard tell of a French scientist involved in the Revolution who was later decapitated himself on the guillotine (sp?) who told a friend that he would try to blink his eyes open and closed for as long as he remained conscious after his head was cut off, and supposedly he was reported as doing so for several seconds. I can’t recall where I read this…it might have been at the Einstein’s Refrigerator site. Obviously I can’t be certain of it’s veracity…although having personally seen how quickly unconsciousness ensues after only a few seconds pause in the heartbeat, let alone decapitation, I have to admit it’s a bit hard to swallow. Still, no sense mucking up a good story with the facts. DoctorMelkor ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/head-surviving-after-decapitation-briefly/195116/2 "2003-08-14T12:26:41Z")
> **[Do decapitated heads briefly remain conscious?](https://www.straightdope.com/21341383/do-decapitated-heads-briefly-remain-conscious)** > > Dear Cecil: > A character in the movie Wolfen said that during the days of the French guillotine, some decapitated heads actually were cognizant of their plight. Since the brain can live over a...