The Subjective Eternity Hypothesis (SEH)
Shahina Samir
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) November 2, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.23876580 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | Proposes the "Subjective Eternity Hypothesis," a preliminary framework in which the brain may generate experiences of extraordinary duration or timelessness through three proposed mechanisms: temporal expansion, retrospective memory reconstruction, and subjective timelessness. DMT research and near-death experiences are presented as comparative domains for testing these ideas, and the paper offers research questions and testable predictions without claiming empirical validation or survival of consciousness after death. |
Abstract
This paper introduces the Subjective Eternity Hypothesis (SEH), a preliminary conceptual framework exploring how the human brain may construct experiences of extraordinary duration or timelessness. It investigates three proposed mechanisms: temporal expansion, retrospective memory reconstruction and subjective timelessness. DMT research and near-death experiences are examined as comparative domains for investigating altered temporal perception and consciousness. The paper presents research questions and testable predictions without claiming empirical validation or establishing the survival of consciousness after biological death.