A natural question arose: if this couldn't be explained by existing methods, did that mean the phenomenon didn't exist—or that science didn't yet have the tools to study it?
This moment marked the beginning of a rethinking of many things, including the nature of consciousness, memory, and life itself.
Who was Natalia Bekhtereva?
To understand the scale of this event, it's important to consider who Bekhtereva was. She wasn't just a scientist—she was one of the leading brain researchers of her time, the director of the Institute of the Human Brain.
Under her direction, research was conducted on the electrical activity of the brain, memory mechanisms, emotions, and behavior. The use of electrodes allowed for a deeper understanding of how various areas of the brain function.
There was no room for mysticism in her scientific worldview. All processes were to be explained by physiology and biochemistry.
The "Out-of-Body" Phenomenon
Interestingly, even before meeting Vanga, Bekhtereva had encountered phenomena that were difficult to explain definitively. One of these were the stories of women who had given birth.
Many of them claimed that at a certain moment they felt as if they were leaving their bodies. They described observing what was happening from above: seeing doctors, hearing conversations, noticing details they could not physically see.
Such experiences are known today as "out-of-body experiences." They are recorded not only during childbirth, but also in states of clinical death, severe stress, or trauma.
What Science Says Today
Modern research offers several possible explanations for such phenomena. Among them: Science
— the functioning of the temporoparietal region of the brain;
— the response to stress and oxygen deprivation;
— the defense mechanisms of the psyche;
— complex neurochemical processes.
However, none of the theories provides a complete answer. The question of the nature of consciousness remains open and continues to be actively studied in neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy.
Is there something beyond life?
The most fundamental question that arises after stories like these is: does something exist beyond physical existence?
Science does not yet have evidence for the existence of "life after death" in the conventional sense. However, it does not completely refute the subjective experiences of people who have experienced unusual states of consciousness.
