We dream even when under general anaesthetic

We are internally conscious when under general anaesthetic

We are internally conscious when under general anaesthetic

STEEX/Getty

The nightmare scenario for patients undergoing surgery is that they become aware but remain paralysed as they are sliced open. Anaesthesia almost always prevents this, but we don’t know how it works, nor how it affects our consciousness. What’s more, because general anaesthetic also induces amnesia it’s been difficult to investigate its effect by asking people to recount their experience.

To get around this, researchers have now infused volunteers with anaesthetics, and roused them at different points during the process to ask them what …