Triggering hibernation in humans
Howtown
Sep 4, 2026 13:00
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Chapters:
Can humans hibernate? This episode investigates the science of human hibernation, induced torpor and suspended animation -- from the brain circuits that regulate metabolism and body temperature to experiments exploring how doctors might safely induce a hibernation-like state in humans.
Drawing on research into Arctic ground squirrels, edible dormice, bears, hamsters, mice and rats, we examine how natural hibernation suppresses metabolism, heart rate, breathing and body temperature; how neurons in the hypothalamus and preoptic area may act as a “torpor switch”; and how scientists induce synthetic torpor in animals. Researchers Nick Clark, Sinisa Hrvatin, Domenico Tupone, Ryan Sprenger and Kate Flickinger guide us through the evidence, including ultrasound-induced torpor, thermoregulatory inversion and University of Pittsburgh human experiments using dexmedetomidine and surface cooling.
Then we ask what human torpor might actually be good for: buying time after a heart attack or stroke, reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury, preserving donor organs, and informing research on diabetes, cancer, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, aging and longevity. We also investigate human hibernation for deep-space travel: whether torpor could reduce food and oxygen needs on a Mars mission and protect astronauts from space radiation, muscle atrophy, bone loss, blood clots, microgravity and psychological strain. Finally, we look at NASA’s proposed STASH hibernation laboratory, which could send Arctic ground squirrels to the International Space Station ... and ask how close human hibernation really is.
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