Researchers Unlock Hibernation Secrets to Transform Human Health

A new episode of CNN’s series Vital Signs explores the promising science of hibernation, revealing how insights from hibernating animals could lead to significant advancements in human health. The episode, airing on November 29, 2025, features CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who guides viewers on a global journey to meet researchers investigating the potential benefits of hibernation for humans, including applications in cancer treatment, heart health, and even space travel.

The episode begins at the University of Utah, where Professor of Neurobiology Chris Gregg is examining the genetic connections between hibernation and cancer. After his personal battle with stage 4 male breast cancer, Gregg leads a team at the Huntsman Cancer Institute that studies why cancer growth halts during hibernation. They are exploring dormant cancer cells, aiming to understand “why cancer cells go dormant, how they stay dormant, and what reactivates them.” Their findings could revolutionize cancer therapies, offering hope to countless patients.

The investigation continues at Fauna Bio, a biotechnology company researching the unique properties of the 13-lined ground squirrel, known as the “Usain Bolt of hibernators.” These squirrels endure around 25 “mini heart attacks or strokes” during their six-month hibernation yet fully repair any damage. Fauna Bio has developed an AI platform to analyze the genetic profiles of hibernators and humans, seeking compounds and genes that may protect human heart cells. This research has already advanced to preclinical safety trials for a drug aimed at treating heart failure.

The episode also highlights the collaboration with NASA to create a “RESPYRS Unit,” designed to send these squirrels into space. By studying hibernation in microgravity, researchers hope to uncover insights that could facilitate long-duration human space travel.

Further insights come from the RIKEN Laboratory for Hibernation Biology in Kobe, Japan. Here, Dr. Genshiro Sunagawa leads groundbreaking research that successfully induced a torpor-like state in non-hibernating mice by activating specific neurons in the brain. Sunagawa envisions a future where humans could safely enter hibernation, which might transform emergency medicine by allowing for safer patient transport and reducing the need for general anesthesia during surgeries. He also investigates the potential link between hibernation and mental health, suggesting that conditions like Seasonal Affective Disorder may have evolutionary ties to hibernation.

Notably, a recent study at the University of Pittsburgh, in collaboration with NASA, succeeded in inducing a torpor-like state in human participants for up to 20 hours using an FDA-approved sedative. These participants exhibited reduced metabolic rates while remaining capable of performing complex tasks, hinting at practical future applications for this research.

As the episode concludes, it becomes clear that the lessons learned from hibernating animals could pave the way for a healthier, more adaptable human future. From combating diseases on Earth to preparing for the challenges of space exploration, the research featured in Vital Signs underscores the potential of harnessing nature’s strategies for human benefit.

For more information, viewers can access trailers and images on the Vital Signs microsite. The 30-minute special will air multiple times on November 29 and 30, 2025.