Voluntary hypometabolism in an indian yogi

Abstract

1. 1. It has been claimed that Indian yogis can voluntarily become hypometabolic ( bhoogarbha samadhi) in a sealed underground chamber as a means of remaining in a mediative state for multiday periods. 2. 2. To investigate this claim we obtained cooperation of a practitioner of bhoogarbha samadhi. In an open flow system, we measured his resting rate of oxygen consumption and also his oxygen consumption rate over a 5 h period during which he was requested to display his abilities to become hypometabolic as if he were in bhoogarbha samadhi. 3. 3. The yogi's resting O 2 consumption was 3.06 ml O 2kg -1 min 1 and his O 2 consumption over a 4h period of meditation was 1.85±0.26 ml O 2kg -1min -1, a reduction of 40%. 4. 4. At the beginning of the mediation there was a peripheral vasodilation and a fall in core body temperature of 0.4°C. These events were reversed at the end of the meditation period. 5. 5. This study confirms that Indian yogis can enter a state of self-induced hypometabolism, but the mechanisms remain unknown.