What Happens When You Wake Up from a Coma? Written by Kara Rogers Kara Rogers is the senior editor of biomedical sciences at Encyclopædia Britannica, where she oversees a range of content from medicine and genetics to microorganisms. She joined Britannica in 2006 and... Kara Rogers Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Mar. 19, 2026 •History Emerging from a coma is almost never a sudden return to full awareness. Instead, it is usually a gradual process in which the brain slowly regains the ability to respond to the outside world. Coma itself is a state of prolonged unconsciousness caused by severe disruption of brain function—often from traumatic injury, stroke, lack of oxygen, infection, or alcohol poisoning or drug overdose. When recovery begins, consciousness tends to return in stages, and the experience...

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