Inducing hibernation or hibernation-like traits in astronauts to reduce the burden of space on their bodies seems like science fiction, but it might be closer to reality than you think.
Kate Flickinger, principal physiologist in the Applied Physiology Laboratory in the School of Medicine, is studying the effects of metabolic rate reduction by lowering body temperature to induce a hibernation-like state in humans.
A primary reason to induce this state for long-duration spaceflight is that it reduces oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production for each passenger. Flickinger’s team found that for every degree the core temperature decreases (from 37 to 33 degrees Celsius), there is approximately a 5% reduction in metabolic rate.
This protocol would have more benefits than just lowering oxygen consumption. By sleeping for a portion of their travel time, astronauts could avoid many of the psychological and physiological effects traditionally experienced during long-duration spaceflight, particularly related to musculoskeletal health. But this work has tremendous implications for those on Earth, too.
“All space research has a direct impact on life on Earth,” says Flickinger. “This protocol could be applied to patients recovering in the ICU and emergency medicine practices in remote areas. My goal is for this work to benefit as many people as possible, both in space and on Earth.”