How Cryonics Could Potentially Work
Proponents of cryonics for humans often draw parallels to animals that undergo hibernation during the winter months. Numerous species of reptiles, amphibians, insects, and mammals have the remarkable ability to survive in a dormant state despite freezing temperatures. This survival mechanism can be attributed to a specific protein that possesses antifreeze properties. Without it, these animals would succumb to death as their cells rupture when water inside them freezes. The presence of antifreeze proteins effectively prevents freezing within the cell interiors, ensuring their survival.
Adaptations for Surviving in a Frozen State
Animals and insects that can endure in a frozen state possess numerous adaptations. Squirrels, for instance, have cold sensitivity neurons that are dulled, preventing their bodies from requiring warmth during hibernation. In the case of most hibernating mammals, specific genes prompt their bodies to prioritize fast digestion over carbohydrates. Additionally, certain insect species expel up to 75% of the water from their bodies before entering a frozen state, allowing them to survive the winter.