Chapter
Deliberate cold exposure may lead to addiction-like increases in dopamine
1:00:44 - 1:10:12 (09:28)
Deliberate cold exposure has been found to create similar or greater increases in dopamine, which are comparable to the dopamine levels obtained from addictive behaviors, as well as providing long-lasting effects that can be used to leverage activities other than cold exposure. The use of cold water exposure as a dopamine elicitor was described in the book "Dopamine Nation" by Dr. Anna Lemke.
Clips
Dr. Rhonda Patrick talks about cold water therapy's use as a stressor, how it can help in the release of dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, and the benefits of its variability compared to other stressors in a conversation with a colleague from Stanford University School of Medicine.
1:00:44 - 1:04:52 (04:08)
Summary
Dr. Rhonda Patrick talks about cold water therapy's use as a stressor, how it can help in the release of dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, and the benefits of its variability compared to other stressors in a conversation with a colleague from Stanford University School of Medicine.
ChapterDeliberate cold exposure may lead to addiction-like increases in dopamine
EpisodeUsing Deliberate Cold Exposure for Health and Performance
PodcastHuberman Lab
Immersing oneself in 20°C (68°F) water for an hour can cause a 93% increase in metabolic rate, while immersing oneself in 2°C (32°F) water for an hour can cause a 350% increase in metabolism.
1:04:52 - 1:07:26 (02:33)
Summary
Immersing oneself in 20°C (68°F) water for an hour can cause a 93% increase in metabolic rate, while immersing oneself in 2°C (32°F) water for an hour can cause a 350% increase in metabolism. Immersion in 32°C (89°F) water did not lead to a significant increase in metabolism.
ChapterDeliberate cold exposure may lead to addiction-like increases in dopamine
EpisodeUsing Deliberate Cold Exposure for Health and Performance
PodcastHuberman Lab
Cold exposure can lead to long-lasting increases in dopamine and norepinephrine, similar to the effects of addictive substances or behaviors.
1:07:26 - 1:10:12 (02:45)
Summary
Cold exposure can lead to long-lasting increases in dopamine and norepinephrine, similar to the effects of addictive substances or behaviors. Though more research is needed to determine the effect of shorter, colder temperature exposures, the benefits of deliberate cold exposure can be harnessed for activities beyond the exposure itself.