He also noted its hypothermic effect and suggested it may induce artificial hibernation.

Most Alfs entered into artificial hibernation in the ship.

Another surgeon, Henri Laborit, believed the compound stabilized the central nervous system by causing 'artificial hibernation', and described this state as 'sedation without narcosis'.

Eighty other humans are placed in a shuttle named the Mayflower mere hours before impact and put into artificial hibernation, while a handful of humans in shelters survive the impact on Earth.

Studying the African lung-fish, which estivates in dry river beds during hot weather, Swan identified an active metabolic inhibitor in their brains ("antabolone"), which he hoped might be isolated and synthesized to enable an artificial hibernation for surgery.