What people think cryogenic freezing means
In movies and books, cryogenic freezing often refers to putting someone into suspended animation — freezing them whole and waking them centuries later without a scratch. This idea is sometimes called cryosleep, and it’s typically portrayed as quick, reversible, and flawless.
But in real life, that version of cryogenic freezing doesn’t exist (yet).
What cryogenic freezing actually is (and isn’t)
When people say cryogenic freezing, they usually mean cryopreservation — the scientific process of cooling a legally dead person to very low temperatures in order to preserve their body for potential future revival.
So what’s the key difference?
- Freezing forms ice crystals, which damage cells and tissues — bad for biology.
- Cryopreservation avoids ice entirely by using vitrification: a rapid cooling method with special chemicals (cryoprotectants) that turn bodily fluids into a glass-like state instead of ice.
This difference matters. It’s the reason why real-world science is focusing on vitrification, not freezing, to preserve life after legal death.
How does cryopreservation work?
Cryopreservation involves several precise steps, all focused on preserving the body’s structure — especially the brain — as perfectly as possible:
- Standby and stabilization
A medical team is dispatched to the patient as they near legal death. As soon as death is declared, cooling begins and blood is replaced with cryoprotectants. - Cryoprotection and vitrification
The body is cooled in stages to -196°C, preventing ice formation. This process stabilizes all cells, including brain neurons and synapses. - Long-term cryogenic storage
The vitrified patient is stored in a cryogenic dewar, suspended in liquid nitrogen. The body remains chemically unchanged for as long as needed — potentially centuries.
You can read more about this process on Tomorrow.bio’s dedicated cryopreservation page.
Is cryogenic freezing reversible?
As of today, no human has been revived from cryopreservation. That’s why Tomorrow.bio and other responsible providers are clear: cryopreservation is not a cure, and revival is not yet possible.
However, there are reasons to be optimistic:
- Embryos and eggs have been successfully vitrified and revived for decades
- Animal organs are increasingly being preserved with fewer complications
- Research in neuroscience is mapping and preserving brain structure with growing precision
- Future fields like nanomedicine and cellular regeneration could enable repair of preserved tissues
So, while cryogenic freezing as imagined in sci-fi isn’t real, vitrified preservation of the human body is — and the science behind it is advancing every year.
Why would someone choose cryopreservation?
Most people who sign up for cryopreservation understand its limitations. They know:
- Revival may take decades — or longer
- Science might not advance far enough
- There’s no refund if it doesn’t work
And yet, they choose it because:
- It’s the only option that preserves the possibility of future life
- It aligns with their hope, values, and belief in progress
- It gives them control over their end-of-life choices
- It may allow them to reach a future with better treatments or technologies
Choosing cryopreservation is about optimism — not certainty.
What does it cost?
At Tomorrow.bio, full-body cryopreservation costs €200,000 — typically paid for through life insurance. This includes:
- Standby and stabilization team
- Cryoprotection and vitrification
- Long-term cryogenic storage
- Legal, planning, and membership services
You can explore details and planning options on our membership page.
Can pets be cryopreserved?
Yes — Tomorrow.bio also offers pet cryopreservation, using the same vitrification process adapted for animal companions.
This is especially meaningful for people with deep emotional bonds to their pets, who want to preserve the chance of reunion in a future with advanced veterinary technology. You can use our pet preservation calculator to learn more.
Cryogenic freezing isn’t magic — but it’s real science
So, what is cryogenic freezing?
It’s not instant hibernation. It’s not guaranteed revival. And it’s not available to the living.
But it is a carefully developed scientific process that aims to preserve the structure of the body — and most importantly, the brain — after legal death, in hopes that future technology may restore life.
For people who believe in science, autonomy, and the potential of the future, it’s the most future-facing end-of-life choice available today.
About Tomorrow.bio
At Tomorrow.bio, we are dedicated to advancing the science of cryopreservation with the goal of giving people and pets a second chance at life. As Europe’s leading cryopreservation provider, we focus on rapid, high-quality standby, stabilization, and storage of terminal patients — preserving them until future medical technologies may allow revival and treatment.
Our mission is to make cryopreservation a reliable and accessible option for everyone. We believe that no life — human or animal — should end because current medical capabilities fall short.
📧 Contact us at: hello@tomorrow.bio
🌐 Visit our website: www.tomorrow.bio
🤝 Schedule a consultation: Book a call
