Thread:SupcommMonroee/@comment-4068313-20120508012411/@comment-796766-20120508201221

Yes, say, hibernation after a century or two starts carrying risk for a disease/disorder, with risk and severity of the resulting affliction increasing gradually as they stay in hibernation past that point. It could be genetic, physical or mental. For human analogue, try imagining excessive hibernation could result in something like sterility, muscular distrophy, or mental retardation. If you want to be dramatic, excess hibernation could result in gradual neurological re-writing, meaning that memories could be altered or lost, preference could change, and eventually, they emerge a totally different person if they stay in for far too long. You don't have to take any of these ideas, just something to build on.