A retired US naval officer has emerged from a 93-day stay in an underwater pod claiming to have reversed the ageing process by a decade. Joseph Dituri lived in a 100-square-foot capsule at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, breaking the previous world record of 73 days.
Medical tests conducted after his return to land revealed significant biological changes. His telomeres—protective caps on chromosomes that shorten with age—were 20 per cent longer than before the dive. His stem cell count had increased tenfold, and his overall health indicators showed marked improvement.
Dituri also experienced a 72-point drop in cholesterol levels, a halving of inflammatory markers, and improved sleep quality, with 60 to 66 per cent of nights spent in deep REM sleep. These changes are attributed to the pressurised underwater environment, which mimics hyperbaric chamber therapy.
Despite limited exercise equipment, Dituri maintained fitness with one-hour sessions five times a week using resistance bands. He noted enhanced metabolism and a leaner physique. The study aimed to explore how prolonged exposure to pressurised conditions affects the human body, with potential applications for hyperbaric medicine.
