目前，一般把低溫對生物細胞所造成的損傷分為以下六個方向，分別是冷損傷、冷休克、低溫損傷、滲透損傷、機械損傷及化學損傷。其中最受學者們關注的就是冷損傷和冷休克。

Cryogenic hibernation technology represents our vision of the future of wireless, including extended lifespan, interplanetary travel, and the treatment of terminal illnesses. As early as 1972, the Alcor Foundation was established, which performed the first human cryosurgery in 1976, and was the first human cryosurgery organization to be established. Currently, more than 100 people have been cryosurgically treated. According to Fortune magazine in the United States, Alcor's clients include many billionaires who have donated large sums of money to the foundation to subsidize its research on cryonics.