huberman cold plunge comparable to cocaine

Cold exposure, like cold showers or ice baths, has been compared to cocaine in terms of its impact on dopamine levels, although the mechanisms and effects differ significantly. Andrew Huberman notes that cold exposure can increase dopamine levels by up to 250%, which is comparable to the dopamine increase from cocaine. However, unlike cocaine, which causes sharp spikes in dopamine followed by crashes below baseline, cold exposure provides a long-lasting and gradual increase in dopamine levels, making it less addictive and more sustainable for mood enhancement 1 2.

Moreover, cold exposure offers other benefits like enhanced resilience, metabolism, and inflammation reduction. It induces a controlled release of stress hormones, allowing individuals to build mental toughness and discipline over time 1 3 4. Thus, while the dopamine effects might be somewhat similar, cold exposure is a healthier and holistic alternative compared to the transient and potentially harmful effects of cocaine.