US Author Lauren Canaday’s Miraculous Return to Life After 24 Minutes of Clinical Death
Sharing details during an “Ask Me Anything” session on Reddit, Lauren Canaday described her experience of being “clinically dead” for 24 minutes before being resuscitated. Sje experienced what is known as the Lazarus effect, where someone declared dead is “resurrected.”
By Richard Cole · December 14, 2023
US author Lauren Canaday has shared chilling details of her near-death experience during a captivating ‘Ask Me Anything’ session on Reddit. Declared “clinically dead” after her heart ceased beating for an astonishing 24 minutes, Canaday’s story has gripped the online community and sparked conversations about the mysterious Lazarus effect.
Canaday’s account, shared in her memoir “Independence Ave” as well as on Substack, delves into the harrowing moments of her cardiac arrest at home in February. Describing the frantic efforts to save her life, she revealed that her husband’s prompt CPR played a crucial role in keeping her alive during the critical minutes before the arrival of EMTs, who ultimately resuscitated her.
The aftermath of her resurrection brought both astonishing and challenging revelations. Despite experiencing an epileptic seizure lasting over 30 minutes post-resuscitation, Canaday’s electroencephalogram (EEG) results displayed normal brain activity. Paramedics attributed Canaday’s cardiac arrest to complications stemming from COVID-19, introducing a distinctive link between her near-death experience and the ongoing global pandemic.
According to medical terms, Canaday’s experience aligns with the Lazarus effect or autoresuscitation - a mysterious phenomenon where a patient declared dead suddenly shows signs of life. The rarity of this event is underscored by statistics revealing that of the 65 documented cases between 1982 and 2018, only 18 individuals made a full recovery.
In response to queries during the Reddit session, Canaday shared intimate details about her “dead state” and the aftermath of waking up. She described a two-day coma, confusion upon waking, and the loss of short-term memory, offering a glimpse into the disorienting aftermath of her brush with death.
One of the most captivating aspects of Canaday’s account is her reported feeling of “extreme peace,” which persisted for a few weeks after waking. Contrary to popular depictions of near-death experiences, she did not witness her life flashing before her eyes. Canaday’s description of revisiting the place where it happened to calm herself down during moments of stress adds a poignant layer to her post-resurrection experience.
However, the aftermath of her alleged rebirth has been far from serene. Canaday confessed to grappling with guilt, confusion, and grief, leading to a challenging emotional state. Her ongoing therapy and support groups, along with a break from work, underscore the profound impact this ordeal has had on her life.
Despite the challenges, Canaday views her second chance at life as transformative. Her perspective on death has evolved, emphasizing a thin line between life and death and a newfound lack of fear towards the latter. The changes in her food preferences, priorities, and relationships highlight the profound shift in her outlook since the life-altering event.