Can Humans Hibernate? The Possibility of Inducing Hibernation for Interplanetary Journeys and Medical Use

Summary

Hibernation, a state of prolonged torpor, is an essential ability for many winter-adapted animals to survive. Could humans someday hibernate too? Heiko Janssen, a researcher on bear hibernation, shares his insights on how bears cope with extended periods of hibernation and the importance of studying bear hibernation for understanding human physiology. He discusses possible applications of human hibernation, such as space travel or a treatment for severe illness.

What is fascinating about bear hibernation?
What does studying bear hibernation look like?
Can human hibernation be induced?
How could hibernation help with interplanetary journeys?
What would human hibernation be like, and why can’t we hibernate already?
Is hibernation feasible for humans?
Is this a new idea?

What is fascinating about bear hibernation?

Bears can survive for months without food or water, despite their body temperature only dropping to about 30 to 34 degrees Celsius. They stir less, but not entirely motionless, and they still maintain a regular sleep-wake cycle. In Janssen’s view, bears are the most advanced hibernator.

What does studying bear hibernation look like?

Janssen and his colleagues have researched bear physiology and ecology extensively, with a facility dedicated to bear research. They collect blood samples, tissue biopsies, and perform various physiological measurements while bears are hibernating.

Can human hibernation be induced?

Janssen identifies that hibernation has evolved in various species, not just a particular class of mammals. Despite our larger body mass, we share some building blocks with bears that we could use to induce hibernation in humans.

How could hibernation help with interplanetary journeys?

Hibernation could help space travel be more efficient since it doesn’t require carrying all the necessary food for the journey. Passengers in the spacecraft could enter hibernation and be transported without needing to eat for a prolonged period. This would reduce the necessary amount of oxygen and could lower their body temperature, further saving energy.

What would human hibernation be like, and why can’t we hibernate already?

During hibernation, humans would be asleep, with brain activity similar to sleep, lower blood pressure and greatly reduced energy consumption. While our metabolic rate drops by 6% during sleep, hibernation involves a much deeper level of metabolic suppression, requiring lowering of body temperature. Hypothermia is already used in humans for surgeries and organ transplantation.

Is hibernation feasible for humans?

Janssen explains that once researchers discover the genes and proteins involved in hibernation, it could be feasible to induce it in humans. He notes that hibernation requires multiple types of events occurring, and it is not clear which factor triggers hibernation. The potential applications of human hibernation are still largely science fiction at this point, but significant progress has been made in developing molecular and genetic techniques to modify human physiology.

Is this a new idea?

The idea of humans hibernating has been around for a long time, appearing in movies since the 50s. The development of molecular and genetic tools, allowing modification of human physiology, has brought the possibility closer. Yet, discussions on the feasibility and ethical issues surrounding human hibernation are still ongoing.