Cryogenic freezing vs. cryopreservation: why the words matter
The phrase cryogenic freezing is widely misunderstood. Scientifically, freezing refers to the formation of ice crystals — something you don’t want to happen to delicate biological tissue. When cells freeze, ice damages their structure, making revival impossible.
Instead, professionals use the term cryopreservation, which involves cooling biological tissue to extremely low temperatures without ice formation. This process, when done correctly, can preserve cells and organs in a glass-like state known as vitrification.
At Tomorrow.bio, we practice cryopreservation, not cryogenic freezing. While the terms are often used interchangeably in pop culture, the distinction is critical when it comes to science, safety, and potential future revival.
What is cryopreservation, really?
Cryopreservation is a method of preserving people at the point of legal death using advanced cooling, medical stabilization, and chemical solutions to prevent decay and cellular damage.
At Tomorrow.bio, this includes:
- Rapid response by medical professionals once legal death is declared
- Immediate cooling and administration of cryoprotective agents
- Replacement of blood and body fluids with substances that prevent ice formation
- Gradual cooling to -196°C to enter a vitrified (solid but non-crystalline) state
- Long-term storage in secure, cryogenic tanks under constant monitoring
Cryopreservation is not a cure or form of suspended animation — it's a way of preserving the possibility of future revival.
Is cryogenic freezing possible?
If by "cryogenic freezing" you mean preserving and reviving an entire human being after death — then as of today, no. While cryopreservation is scientifically viable for certain cells, tissues, and even small organs, full-body revival is not yet possible.
However, advances in several fields — including nanotechnology, regenerative medicine, and brain mapping — suggest that future medicine may one day be able to repair or regenerate damaged tissue. If that happens, those preserved today could have a chance at life again.
Real-world applications of cryopreservation today
Cryopreservation is already used in many areas of medicine:
- Fertility clinics store sperm, eggs, and embryos
- Organ and tissue banks use cryopreservation for corneas, skin grafts, and stem cells
- Experimental neurology research is studying how to preserve brain structure after death
What Tomorrow.bio and a few other companies do is extend this principle to the whole body or brain, in anticipation of future breakthroughs.
How much does cryopreservation cost?
Cryopreservation is a specialized, resource-intensive process. At Tomorrow.bio, full-body cryopreservation currently costs €200,000. This includes:
- Standby and stabilization team available 24/7
- Transport to the preservation facility
- Cryoprotectant perfusion and vitrification
- Long-term cryogenic storage
- Membership management and legal support
Most members pay through life insurance plans, making it affordable even for young adults. You can explore options on our pricing page and book a call to discuss financial planning.
Why would someone choose cryopreservation?
The people who choose cryopreservation aren’t afraid of death — they’re curious about life.
They believe:
- The future will bring better medicine than we have today
- Being preserved offers a non-zero chance at future revival
- If they do nothing, the outcome (death) is certain
- It’s worth preserving what makes them unique: their memories, identity, and experiences
Cryopreservation is a choice about freedom, autonomy, and hope in the face of terminal illness or injury.
What happens after someone is preserved?
Once a person is cryopreserved, they are placed in a specially designed storage vessel cooled by liquid nitrogen. These vessels require no electricity to stay cold and are regularly monitored.
Preservation is indefinite. The hope is that one day, technologies like nanomedicine, tissue regeneration, or brain emulation may make revival and treatment possible — but no promises are made.
What we do provide at Tomorrow.bio is the highest standard of preservation, transparent information, and ethical practices.
Cryosleep, vitrification, and the future
Many people confuse cryopreservation with cryosleep — the idea from sci-fi where astronauts are "asleep" during long journeys. Cryosleep implies reversible suspension, which isn't currently possible.
Cryopreservation through vitrification is real science — and we’re already doing it. Unlike freezing, vitrification turns tissues into a solid glass state without ice. This process is also reversible in smaller applications (like embryos), and research continues to explore how to scale it to organs — and one day, whole bodies.
Should you consider cryopreservation?
Cryopreservation isn’t for everyone. But if you’re someone who:
- Believes in science and the power of medical progress
- Is facing a terminal diagnosis and wants more than today's medicine can offer
- Wants to preserve the possibility of life, rather than accept finality
- Thinks future generations may solve problems we can’t today
…then cryopreservation may be worth considering. At Tomorrow.bio, we’re here to explain every step, answer your questions, and support you in making an informed, personal decision.
About Tomorrow.bio
At Tomorrow.bio, we are dedicated to advancing the science of cryopreservation with the goal of giving people a second chance at life. As Europe’s leading human 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 human cryopreservation a reliable and accessible option for everyone. We believe that no life should end because current medical capabilities fall short.
Our vision is a future where death is optional — where people have the freedom to choose long-term preservation in the face of terminal illness or fatal injury, and to awaken when medicine has caught up.
📧 Contact us at: hello@tomorrow.bio
🌐 Visit our website: www.tomorrow.bio
🤝 Schedule a call with our team: Book a call
