Hydrogen sulfide-induced suspended animation
March 26, 2008 | Source: KurzweilAI
Massachusetts General Hospital researchers have found that low doses of hydrogen sulfide (smell of rotten eggs) can safely and reversibly produce a suspended-animation-like state in mice.
The gas depressed both metabolism and heart rate, but did not change heartbeat strength or blood oxygen levels. It could be used to preserve organ function in situations with limited oxygen supply, such as after a traumatic injury.
