Cold shower

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Taking cold showers can have various impacts on the body and mind. Here's a brief summary of the benefits mentioned in the :

Performance Enhancement:

  • Before aerobic activities, a cold shower may increase the body's capacity to absorb excess heat, potentially leading to improved performance in terms of speed or distance. It takes only a few minutes to extract the heat if you are vasodilated 1.

Relief from Hangovers:

  • Deliberate exposure to cold, such as taking a cold shower, can help relieve hangovers after alcohol has cleared from the system by spiking adrenaline and dopamine levels. The procedure should be safe, like one to three minutes of cold shower exposure 2.

Recovery After Training:

  • Post-exercise cold exposure has been shown to reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery, especially after high-intensity training. Even short durations like one to three minutes of cold exposure can be beneficial. Cold showers immediately after or within hours following the training maximize benefits 3.

    Cold Showers

    Craig explains that taking a cold shower before aerobic activity can increase the body's capacity to absorb excess heat, leading to a potential increase in speed or distance. The duration of the shower only needs to be a few minutes to extract the heat.

    Huberman Lab

    Dr. Craig Heller: Using Temperature for Performance, Brain & Body Health | Huberman Lab Podcast #40
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Activating Brown Fat:

  • Cold exposure activates brown fat, which helps increase metabolism and regulate body temperature. Cold showers can also stimulate the autonomous nervous system, boosting norepinephrine and metabolism 4.

Long-term Benefits:

  • Regular cold exposure can reduce inflammation, increase metabolism, and lower waist circumference and abdominal fat. It also improves mood and well-being and has been shown to reduce anxiety 5.

Boosting Dopamine:

  • Cold exposure significantly increases dopamine levels which can enhance mood and alertness. It's highlighted as a non-addictive way to raise dopamine, unlike drugs that can cause a drastic drop in dopamine after their effects wear off 6.

Note: As always, when considering the deliberate use of cold exposure, it's essential to do so safely and be aware of one's health and physical condition. Consulting a healthcare professional before commencing any new health regimen is recommended.

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