Human hibernation research

While there isn't direct hibernation research on human subjects in the traditional sense, there have been studies exploring human potential for reduced metabolic states and hypometabolism, which are related to hibernation-like conditions. Some key points from the available research:

1. Humans, like other mammals, naturally lower their metabolic rate and body temperature during sleep¹.

2. Pronounced metabolic depressions have been observed in certain human conditions, such as:

   • Australian natives adapted to sleeping without cover at low nighttime temperatures
   • Individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome
   • People during deep meditation²

3. These observed metabolic depressions in humans are less pronounced than what would be expected during a full torpor bout, but they demonstrate the potential for metabolic rate reduction in humans³.

4. Research is being conducted on "quasi-torpor" states for long-duration space missions, using methods like alpha-2-adrenergic receptor agonists to induce a hibernation-like state⁴.

5. Scientists are exploring two main approaches for human hibernation in space travel contexts:

   • Therapeutic hypothermia
   • Mimicking natural hibernation⁵

While direct hibernation experiments on humans are not ethically feasible, researchers are studying animal models and exploring ways to induce hibernation-like states in humans for potential applications in space travel and medicine. The goal is to achieve a "high temperature torpor" or hypometabolic state that could be maintained continuously without energetically costly interruptions⁶.