Could Humans Hibernate? - Pierre Novellie, Shona Wood and Matteo Cerri

What if you could hit pause on life for months at a time? Adam Rutherford and Jessica Fostekew are joined by hibernation researchers Matteo Cerri and Shona Wood and comedian Pierre Novellie, to burrow deeply into one of nature's most extraordinary survival strategies.

Across the animal kingdom, hibernation allows creatures to survive harsh winters by dramatically slowing their bodies, conserving energy and waiting out lean times. But what actually happens inside a hibernating animal? Our experts tell tales of torpor, from hamsters with barely detectable heartbeats and squirrels that can survive freezing temperatures, to bears that give birth whilst in hibernation-like states. The panel uncovers how animals emerge from prolonged periods of suspended activity, seemingly able to defy many of the biological limits that govern the rest of us.

And the implications stretch far beyond the animal kingdom. The panel debate the tantalising question of whether our species might one day enter hibernation-like states, and what that could mean for medicine, survival and even space travel. Could putting the body on pause buy vital time for patients awaiting organ transplants, protect astronauts on journeys to Mars, or reveal new ways to tackle disease and ageing?

Their journey into hibernation also ventures in to Goth lemurs, the perfect pre-hibernation feast and the surprising and somewhat uncomfortable toilet logistics of being a hibernating bear.

Producer: Mel Brown
A BBC Studios Production