In 1989, NASA conducted an extraordinary experiment to test the concept of time. They placed a 27-year-old woman in a cave, completely isolated from the outside world. She lived in the cave for 130 days while only electronic devices monitored her brain’s hormonal changes. When the cave’s entrance was finally opened, the woman refused to leave. She even pushed the staff aside to remain inside.
Time’s Crucial Role in Human Life
Time is something that governs nearly every aspect of our daily lives. From eating to working, we adhere to time-based routines, constantly checking our phones or watches. But imagine if time didn’t exist. It’s hard to fathom the chaos it would create. Tasks would become unmanageable, and the rhythm of life would be disrupted. This scenario is something no one would want.
Despite being just a string of numbers, time is integral to human life. Its effects are far-reaching, yet its origins are difficult to understand. Some scientists have even proposed that time is not real but merely a concept. To prove this idea, they set out to conduct a scientific experiment. 
NASA’s Groundbreaking “Time” Experiment: Is Time Just an Illusion？
In 1989, Maurizio Montalbini, a sociologist, controversially claimed that time does not exist. His statement sparked significant debate, with many dismissing him as a madman seeking attention. However, Montalbini didn’t back down and decided to prove his theory. Remarkably, NASA supported his project, using it to study astronaut data during space missions.
Interestingly, even Albert Einstein suggested similar ideas. He believed that time is merely a human perception and that it could be an illusion. If our perception changed, the concept of time would collapse.
NASA took the idea seriously and decided to test it by isolating a volunteer in a cave. The experiment aimed to observe how the absence of time would affect the human body. The volunteer would live in total isolation, completely unaware of the passage of time.
The Cave: An Isolated Environment Without Time
In a remote area of Mexico, NASA found a cave about 30 meters underground, measuring 18 square meters in size. The cave would isolate the volunteer from the outside world, preventing any perception of time. The environment was sealed off, with air entering, but the person inside wouldn’t have access to time indicators.
NASA offered an attractive reward to any volunteer who could live in the cave for 210 days. Despite the isolation, the cave had been modified to resemble a regular room. The living space contained food, a bed, a television, a computer, and books for entertainment. However, the technology was altered to ensure that no time displays would appear.
The volunteer had the freedom to live as they wished. They could eat, sleep, or watch TV without interference. NASA’s staff would monitor their brain’s hormonal changes through electronic devices. This would allow them to track how the brain reacted when deprived of time. The team would also observe physical changes to ensure the volunteer’s safety.
Frini: The Volunteer Selected for the Experiment
Many people applied to participate, eager for the financial reward. NASA, however, had strict criteria. The volunteer had to be in good physical health, mentally stable, and able to endure isolation. The ideal candidate would be able to regulate their emotions in response to their surroundings.
After testing, NASA selected 27-year-old Frini from Italy, an interior designer. She shared her excitement with her family, but her parents cautioned her about the risks. Despite their concerns, Frini was eager to participate. She was tired of her job, which paid poorly and required long hours. The idea of receiving a large reward for living in a cave was too tempting to resist.
After passing medical checks, Frini was also given psychological support. The goal was to help her stay calm and relaxed during her time in the cave. She was prepared to endure the experiment’s challenges and live in isolation for several months.
The Experiment: Life Without Time
Once inside the cave, Frini felt no major changes. She adapted quickly, maintaining regular eating and sleeping habits despite the absence of time. When she became bored, she would use cardboard boxes from her food supplies to create decorations, making the cave feel like a home.
However, the lack of time began to affect Frini’s sense of self. She couldn’t tell whether it was day or night. The cave was always lit by three white bulbs, and she began eating and sleeping according to her own instincts. Her biological clock became disconnected from the natural rhythms of the day.
Frini stayed awake for up to 20 hours at a time, only to crash for long periods of sleep when exhaustion caught up with her. The staff noticed fluctuations in her brainwaves, and they saw that her emotional state was becoming increasingly anxious.
Psychological and Physical Deterioration: Frini’s Decline
As the days passed, Frini began to show signs of mental distress. She started talking to herself, often without coherence. Her physical condition deteriorated as well. She became lethargic, losing weight and neglecting personal hygiene. Her face became visibly dirty, and her overall health declined rapidly.
NASA decided to end the experiment early after 130 days. When they opened the cave, they found Frini lying on the ground, her eyes vacant and unresponsive. When the staff tried to assist her, she pushed them away, unwilling to leave.
The Results: Time and Its Importance for Humans
When Frini finally emerged from the cave, she was in poor condition. She couldn’t remember where she was or grasp any basic concepts. Her brain seemed devoid of thought, like a newborn. She couldn’t take care of herself and needed constant help.
When asked how long she had spent in the cave, Frini claimed it was only 60 days, far less than the actual 130 days. Her perception of time had completely collapsed.
Physically, Frini had lost 17 kilograms. She looked pale and struggled to walk. Tests revealed that she had lost significant calcium from her bones and muscles. She would need extensive nutritional support to recover her strength.
Conclusion: Time is Essential for Human Life
NASA’s “time” experiment ended in failure. Time was not proven to be an illusion. Instead, the experiment showed that without time, humans suffer severe psychological and physical harm. The absence of time leads to confusion, anxiety, and a breakdown of basic life functions.
Interestingly, a similar experiment was conducted by scientists in France and Switzerland with a 120,000 Euro budget. After just 23 days, most of the 15 volunteers lost their sense of time and had to leave the cave.
Frini’s experience demonstrated that humans cannot live without time. The experiment served as a stark reminder of how essential time is to our existence. Time may be intangible, but it’s a fundamental aspect of human life. If we can’t perceive it, the consequences would be disastrous.
This harsh experiment, although failed, provides valuable insight. It shows that time, though invisible, is critical for human survival. Even if time were truly an illusion, its absence would render life unmanageable. The consequences of a world without time are unimaginable.
