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  • Death sucks!

  • But what happens to your body after you die is fascinating.

  • So we're going to show you.

  • Don't worry, it won't be gross...much.

  • Once a person's breathing stops

  • the cells in their body stops receiving oxygen,

  • but the cells continue to live for several minutes

  • generating carbon dioxide.

  • Carbon dioxide is acidic,

  • and it builds up, rupturing sacs inside the cells.

  • These sacs contain enzymes

  • that begin to digest the cell from the inside out.

  • This creates a blister-like fluid rich in nutrients.

  • After about a week, those nutrients

  • fuel an army of bacteria and fungai

  • that further liquify organs and muscles.

  • The microbes that attack the tissue

  • produce a bewildering array of 400 chemicals and gasses.

  • They include Freon, that's right,

  • the coolant found in refridgerators.

  • Benzene, a powerful component in gasoline.

  • Sulfur, which smells of swamps and rotten eggs.

  • And the molecule known as Carbon Tetrachloride,

  • which was used in fire extinguishers and dry cleaning

  • until scientists discovered it's highly toxic.

  • At this point, there's very little flesh left,

  • and it's consumed by...here it comes...

  • maggots and beetles.

  • Insects leave only bones behind.

  • Over time, the protein in bone decomposes too,

  • leaving just the bone mineral called Hydroxyapatite,

  • which eventually turns to dust.

  • We can take some solace in the fact

  • that all those nutrients and chemicals, even the dust,

  • provide vital substances that make soils fertile,

  • sprouting plants and other new life

  • after our lives have ended.

  • Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

  • [Written and narrated by Mark Fischetti] [Assistant Editor: Kathryn Free]

  • [Produced, edited & animated by Eric R. Olson] [English Subtitles: heberhouse1]

Death sucks!

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