Explained: Why some people suddenly seem to get better just before they die
In the final days before death, some people experience a brief, unexpected surge of clarity and energy known as terminal lucidity. Hospice nurse Julie McFadden calls it the “number one phenomenon” before dying, a fleeting return of vitality often mistaken for recovery. Though science can’t fully explain it, experts say it’s a natural, poignant part of life’s final moments.
In the final days before death, some people experience a brief, unexpected surge of clarity and energy known as terminal lucidity. Hospice nurse Julie McFadden calls it the “number one phenomenon” before dying, a fleeting return of vitality often mistaken for recovery. Though science can’t fully explain it, experts say it’s a natural, poignant part of life’s final moments.
