Superpowers do exist: 5 cases achieved thanks to genetics or training

Throughout history, the idea of superpowers has remained the realm of fiction. However, science has documented surprising cases in which human beings possess abilities that far exceed what is considered normal.

These abilities, developed by genetic or environmental factors or through intensive training , reveal the extent to which the human body and mind can adapt.

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Himalayan Sherpas: Endurance at High Altitudes

In the peaks of the Himalayas , Sherpas live in conditions that would be unbearable for most: thin air, sub-zero temperatures, and constant physical exertion. Their bodies have developed, over generations, adaptations that allow them to metabolize energy more efficiently and withstand very low oxygen levels.

“ We humans are still evolving ,” Tatum Simonson of the University of California, San Diego, who studies the genetics and physiology of altitude adaptation , told National Geographic.

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Thanks to this, they can climb and work at altitudes that would cause severe altitude sickness in others. This phenomenon offers valuable insights into the treatment of respiratory and heart diseases.

Bajau Laut: Masters of Freediving

In the waters of Southeast Asia, the Bajau Laut people have made the sea their home. They can dive to depths of 70 meters and remain underwater for up to 13 minutes without technological assistance. According to Natgeo, the secret lies in an unusually large spleen , which stores and releases an extra supply of oxygen-laden red blood cells during the dive.

This ability is combined with a cultural tradition that encourages diving from childhood. However, their way of life faces threats from pollution and the loss of their territories .

Prodigious memory: remembering without forgetting

Hyperthymesia is a condition that allows those who suffer from it to remember every day of their lives in astonishing detail. Added to this are the skills acquired by "mental athletes," who, through association and visualization techniques, are able to memorize vast amounts of information .

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Studies cited by Natgeo show that, with proper training, anyone can significantly improve their memory in just a few weeks, a finding with potential for education and cognitive rehabilitation.

Mind control over pain and fear

According to Natgeo, monks, extreme athletes, and martial arts practitioners have demonstrated the ability to modify their reactions to pain, cold, or stress. These abilities are not simple concentration tricks: medical measurements confirm real changes in the brain and nervous system response. Understanding how this control works opens up new possibilities for pain management therapies and trauma treatment.

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