Hibernation's Role in Humanity's Journey to the Stars

Humankind has been aware of animals' ability to hibernate for thousands of years. Yet, we are still unraveling the mysteries of how this obscure phenomenon works without losing muscle mass, bone density, and brain cells. For example, bears that hibernate can survive without drinking water or eating food for up to 7 months. Some species of turtle go for over 100 days without breathing during the hibernation period. Isn’t this just so peculiar nonetheless fascinating? 

Hibernating animals enter a state called a torpor. Torpor is the state in which metabolism and energy use drop to a minimum level. During torpor, heart rate decreases, body temperature falls and cell activity is reduced. While humans do not hibernate, hibernation or torpor is common in species across many mammals. Meaning, that the genes involved in triggering and controlling hibernation might have been present in our common ancestor. Scientists, observing mammals hibernating without any muscle wasting or brain damage, started to wonder if humans could harness hibernation for themselves.

Imagine the possibilities for long-distance space travel if astronauts could hibernate for most of their journey. Rockets wouldn’t need to be equipped with so much food and water, astronauts could avoid interpersonal conflicts and the mental stress of being in a tiny metal box for months. Additionally, if humans could avoid brain damage, muscle loss, and bone density issues like other hibernating mammals, it could lead to significant health benefits. Therefore, such an innovative discovery would enable us to open a new door for humanity in the field of astronautical science and biomedical science.

Hibernation in humans may sound like something out of a science fiction movie. However, it’s becoming our reality as advancements in medical technology continue to push the boundaries of what we once thought was possible. Healthcare professionals already utilize therapeutic hypothermia, a method of lowering your body temperature, for various medical conditions. For example, it’s used to treat individuals who are undergoing organ transplants or receiving radiation therapy. Medical hypothermia isn’t identical to hibernation or torpor, but researchers propose that controlled hypothermia could one day induce hibernation in humans. This would revolutionize healthcare by allowing more complex surgeries, protecting the brain from oxygen deprivation, and facilitating faster patient recovery.

The secrets to hibernation might be encoded in our human genome. Hibernation seems like a trait of ancient mammalian ancestors many mammals have lost over time. However, scientists hypothesize that the genetic blueprint for hibernation could still reside within our DNA. By sequencing and understanding the genomes of today’s hibernators, scientists are getting closer to revealing how they activate the specific genes necessary for hibernation. This offers possibilities for space travel and extends the human lifespan by surviving strokes, heart attacks, and severe injuries. If little primates like dwarf lemurs and enormous mammals like bears can hibernate, who’s to say that it will never be possible for us, humans?