What are the benefits of cold exposure

Cold exposure offers several benefits, as outlined by Andrew Huberman:

• Boosts Metabolism and Brown Fat Stores: Enhances the body's ability to stay warm and reduce inflammation, resulting in resilience 1.
• Increases Dopamine: A study in the European Journal of Physiology found a robust, long-lasting 2.5 times increase in baseline dopamine levels, which appears to be a healthy and non-addictive way to elevate mood and alter the perception of time during cold exposure 1.
• Enhances Mood and Focus: The long-lasting increase in catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine) from cold exposure leads to substantial improvements in mood and focus throughout the day 2.
• Stress Inoculation: Can be used to build mental resilience and toughen the mind against real-life stressors by suppressing sympathetic nervous system activation 3.

  Benefits of Cold Exposure

  Andrew Huberman

  Andrew discusses the numerous benefits of cold exposure, including increases in metabolism, brown fat stores, and dopamine levels. He also explains how dopamine affects our perception of time and offers tips for managing discomfort during cold exposure.

  

  Huberman Lab

  Time Perception & Entrainment by Dopamine, Serotonin & Hormones | Huberman Lab Podcast #46

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• Healthy Dopamine Release: Rosalie's neurochemical responses without significant elevation in cortisol, promoting what is called eustress—the positive stress that can lead to health benefits 4.
• Converts Fat Cells: Converts white fat cells, which are energy-storing cells, into thermogenic beige or brown fat cells that help increase core body temperature and metabolism 5.
• Reduces Inflammation: Helps reduce inflammation post-exercise and generally 5.

The above benefits of cold exposure underline its multifaceted impact on mental acuity, metabolism, mood, and physical resilience, provided it is done safely.