An institute in France will pay €5,000 for lying in bed

The experiment calls men aged between 20 and 40 who are non-smokers and have excellent physical shape. Participants will remain in a bed tilted six degrees head-down, a position designed to simulate the effects of weightlessness on the human body. Also, volunteers will follow an extremely restrictive diet: around 250 calories a day, limited to honey, fruit juice and broth. While the “bed phase” lasts ten days, the total stay at the clinic will be close to 20 days.

Researchers will examine how the combination of forced immobility and severe calorie restriction affects memory, stress levels, heart function, metabolism and muscle mass.

According to scientists, studies like this are becoming increasingly important for long-duration space missions. In scenarios where food supplies may be disrupted or astronauts experience reduced appetite, it is crucial to understand how the body copes with prolonged inactivity and calorie deficits.

The institute has conducted similar research before. In 2023, 12 volunteers spent 60 days under similar conditions and received €18,000 each. Specialists warn of potential side effects, including headaches, poor sleep and muscle loss.