People who went into a coma are revealing what they ‘saw’: ‘A black bear shows up…’

Comas are one of medicine’s most mysterious states, a limbo between life and death where the mind and body disconnect in ways even science can’t fully explain. For families, it’s a period of uncertainty and fear. But for those who have experienced it, the memories — or lack thereof — can be deeply strange, sometimes even beautiful. On Reddit, u/OwnMeBell asked the question: "People who’ve been in a coma, what did it feel like?" The thread quickly filled with responses ranging from total nothingness to bizarre, cinematic dreamscapes.

The question was also posted on Thread by @authoress_rosy_library and drew equally amusing replies. Some described an experience similar to dreamless sleep, while others recalled vivid, almost movie-like scenes unfolding in their minds. A few even shared haunting or philosophical takes, making readers question the nature of reality itself. Here are 10 of the most captivating responses from both platforms.

1. "Just nothingness"

"Felt like no time passed at all. One second I was out, the next second I was waking up. No dreams, no awareness, just nothingness." – u/Bitter_Razzmatazz_71

2. "A black bear shows up…"

"Had a stroke in the brain at age 17. It was a very long and vivid dream. I dreamt that I was in a park with a pond in the middle, and there were lots of kids playing around there. A black bear shows up and closes in on the children, and the next scene I can see a thick branch lodged into my arm, and then I wake up." – u/Independent-Rub-7609

3. "Completely black space"

"I can distinctly remember being in a completely black space, but there was a black guy in a tux on a cello, and a white lady in a white dress with a violin playing Pachelbel’s Canon in D. Basically on a loop while I just kind of hovered there. Didn’t seem like it was for very long, but I was out 4 or 5 days. But that’s the only memory I have from it." – u/Gappy_Gilmore_86

4. "From present to another 'world'"

"I was aware of my surroundings, but I couldn't interact. I'd fade in and out, from present to another 'world'. I was at peace, and I felt no physical or emotional pain. At times I could hear people talking to me." – u/PBandJ_PRETZEL

5. "Dreamless sleep"

"For me, it was a DEEP dreamless sleep. Not aware of anything external. Woke up a week later and didn’t know who I was or who my family was." – u/1WarCanoePlease

6.  "General anesthesia"

"If you’ve ever been under general anesthesia, it’s exactly like that." – u/sunkmonkey1208

7. "Felt weightless"

"The coma itself felt weightless. I was intubated for 8 days, and for the first 6 days, I have no recollection or memories. The last 2 days felt surreal; my body was starting to wake itself up. I could hear the nurses talking, all the music played above my room, and I even started getting strange dreams of looking down over myself. The recovery was harsh — I forgot my name entirely, had to learn how to talk again, walk again. Temporary dementia and permanent body damage, 9 years later, I’m fully disabled." – @shayshitsinthebag

8. "Intubated and unable to speak"

"In a coma for 3 weeks. I had lots of crazy ass vivid dreams. Including that my husband was murdered. When I woke up, I was intubated and unable to speak, so I couldn’t ask if it was true, so I just believed it. He came in to visit me one night, and I legit thought it was his ghost. I freaked out so bad, and they didn’t know why." – @iam_cmoniquethomas

9. "No clue"

"My Lyft driver was in a coma for 4 months — she said it’s like she was living her day-to-day life. She had no clue she was in a coma." – @helenmccarter_

10. "You could be in a coma right now…"

"You know the crazy part? You could actually be in a coma right now and not know it, thinking you’re living the life while being in a coma in real life." – @cosmic.worker

Many pointed out that while each experience was unique, they all revealed how little we still understand about the mind in such an altered state. Whether it’s total darkness, vivid dream worlds, or surreal moments of awareness, these accounts left readers fascinated about what really happens when the body rests but the brain drifts somewhere else entirely.