Dr. Joseph Dituri, the record holder for spending 100 days underwater, claims it has reversed his age by 20 years.
Dr. Joseph Dituri recently completed a remarkable challenge: spending 100 days living underwater.
He conducted this experiment in a habitat located 30 feet beneath a lagoon in Florida.
Dr. Dituri claims this experience de-aged him by 20 years. His journey provides intriguing insights into the human body and its reactions to extreme environments.
Dr. Dituri’s underwater challenge: the purpose of the experiment
Dr. Dituri didn’t undertake this challenge just for fun. His goal was to monitor how the human body reacts to long-term extreme pressure.
This research is essential for developing medicine that helps deliver oxygen under high-pressure conditions.
During his time underwater, he also discovered a new species.
A press release from last year added: “Part of the work will see a psychologist and a psychiatrist monitor the effects he experiences while in an environment similar to extended space travel.
“It’s an isolating confined extreme environment. And and as humans, we really need to figure out how we’re going to be living in that (environment)
if we’re going to expand our planet, if we’re going to go interplanetary, if we’re going to find all the cures that we need to find.”
The former naval officer resided in a 9-meter by 9-meter room. He accessed this space using scuba gear.
While underwater, Dr. Dituri was monitored by medical, psychological, and psychosocial experts.
They observed the effects of isolation and pressure on his body. He also engaged with school children through video link, teaching them about his experiences.
Dr. Dituri reveals observed health benefits
Improvements in health metrics
Upon his return to the surface in June, Dr. Dituri reported significant health improvements.
He noted a 50% reduction in every inflammatory marker in his blood.
Additionally, his telomeres—structures on chromosomes associated with aging—lengthened during his underwater stay.
Man claims 20-year de-aging after 100 days underwater
At 56 years old, Dr. Dituri stated that his biological age was measured at 44 before the experiment.
Speaking to reporters at WKMG News in Orlando recently, Dr Dituri said: “I’m 56 now. My extrinsic [biological] age was 44. When I got out of the water, my extrinsic age was 34.
“So, my telomeres lengthened. I actually got younger when I was under the water.”
Although his telomeres are not as long as they were immediately after his dive, they are still longer than before the experiment.
Dr. Dituri attributes his remarkable age reversal to the high-pressure environment of the underwater habitat.
His findings show the potential for future research into human health and aging.
As we explore extreme environments, understanding their effects on our bodies becomes crucial.
Dr. Dituri’s journey serves as a fascinating case study in the field of medicine and human biology.