American scientist Joseph Dettori has succeeded in breaking the world record for living the longest time under water without reducing the pressure on the human body, as he managed to survive 100 days.
The previous record for staying the longest underwater under high and continuous stress on the body was 73 days, two hours and 34 minutes held by researchers Bruce Cantrell and Jessica Fine of Tennessee in 2014.
Dettori documented through his Instagram account his first moments outside the room where he spent the experiment, where he appeared while being celebrated by his friends, documenting the distinguished number he achieved after completing the experiment, which they rely on to reach some scientific results.
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"This experience fundamentally changed me, and my greatest hope is that I have inspired a new generation of explorers and researchers to push boundaries," Dettori wrote in his post.
Dettori documented his diary during the experiment through his various accounts, and throughout his journey he continued to teach his biomedical engineering subject online.
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Professor Dettori, known as Dr. Deep Sea, began his adventure in early March in a room measuring about 9.2 meters and at a depth of about 6.7 meters at the Jules Undersea Lodge in northern Florida, the only hotel in the United States to be located under the sea.
The project, called Neptune 100, examines the reaction of the human body after prolonged exposure to extreme stress levels, and Dettori hypothesizes that applying the known mechanisms of action of hyperbaric medicine can treat a wide range of diseases, including traumatic brain injury.
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Dettori bases his theory on the findings of a study that stem cells under increased stress have doubled in number within 5 days, suggesting that increased pressure can help humans extend their lives and prevent age-related diseases.
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According to what the university indicated at the beginning of the experiment, a specialized team followed Dettori's health status during the experiment, including heart, blood, stem cell tests, and others, and will undergo a psychological examination to examine the mental effects of being in that isolated environment during the past 100 days.
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The experiment will attempt to uncover how high pressure affects cell replication, prolongs human lifespans and prevents aging diseases.
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Scientifically, atmospheric pressure at sea level is optimal for the human body and its vital functions, with the difference in pressure, whether decrease or increase, these functions begin to be disturbed, and may reach the point of threatening human life.
When atmospheric pressure decreases at high altitudes (such as mountain peaks or ascents into space) or increases at deep underwater (in diving situations), the period of exposure is a decisive factor in survival or death.
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Dettori, 55, served in the U.S. Navy for 28 years as a diving officer, and after retiring in 2012 and because of his passion for science, he attended the University of South Florida to earn a PhD to learn more about traumatic brain injury.