The Huberman Lab Podcast discusses neuroscience: how our brain and its connections with the organs of our body control our perceptions, our behaviors, and our health. We also discuss existing and emerging tools for measuring and changing how our nervous system works. Dr. Andrew Huberman is a tenured Professor of Neurobiology and Ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine. His laboratory studies neural regeneration, neuroplasticity, and brain states such as stress, focus, fear, and optimal performance. For more than 20 years, Dr. Huberman has consistently published original research findings and review articles in top-level peer-reviewed journals, including Nature, Science, Cell, Neuron, and Current Biology. He is a regular member of several National Institutes of Health review panels and a Fellow of the McKnight Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts. Dr. Huberman regularly consults for technology development companies, professional athletic organizations, and various units of U.S. and Canadian Special Operations.
Dr. Susanna Søberg: How to Use Cold & Heat Exposure to Improve Your Health
In this episode, my guest is Susanna Søberg, PhD. She earned her doctoral degree at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, researching the effects of deliberate cold and deliberate heat exposure on metabolism and other aspects of human physiology. We discuss how cold or sauna can improve metabolism, cardiovascular and brain health, balance hormones, and decrease inflammation. Dr. Søberg discusses how deliberate cold protocols can improve glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity and trigger release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine which enhance energy, mood, and focus. We compare cold showers and cold immersion, traditional and infrared saunas, and other variables. This episode provides actionable tools and answers to common questions about the use of deliberate cold and heat to improve health.
For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.
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The Brain Body Contract
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Timestamps
(00:00:00) Dr. Susanna Søberg
(00:03:23) Sponsors: Plunge, Maui Nui, Thesis
(00:06:49) The Brain-Body Contract
(00:07:40) Physiology in Uncomfortably Cold Environments
(00:12:05) Tool: Water Temperature, “Cold Shock” & Discomfort
(00:17:37) Cold Showers vs. Immersion in Water, Brown Fat
(00:22:11) Cold Receptors, Brown Fat & Temperature Homeostasis
(00:25:22) Shiver, “After Drop”, Healthy Stress
(00:31:08) Long-Term Health Benefits of Deliberate Cold Exposure
(00:35:48) Sponsor: AG1 (Athletic Greens)
(00:37:02) Blood Pressure & Heath
(00:38:26) Brown Fat, Insulin Sensitivity & Metabolism
(00:45:07) Temperature Regulation, Brown Fat vs. White Fat
(00:52:26) Cold Resilience, Scandinavia
(00:59:07) Sponsor: InsideTracker
(01:00:16) Winter Swimmers & Brown Fat; Discomfort
(01:10:28) Sex differences & Brown Fat, Cold-Adapted
(01:15:21) Diving Reflex & Parasympathetic Activation
(01:18:44) Tool: Deliberate Cold & Sauna Protocol
(01:23:11) Winter Swimmers, Shiver; Circadian Rhythm & Brown Fat
(01:31:14) Tool: Minimum Threshold for Cold & Heat; Sauna & Cardiovascular Health
(01:35:19) Tool: Maintaining Stimulus when Cold-Adapted; Shorter Sessions
(01:38:09) Cold Exposure, Sleep Quality, Clothing
(01:47:37) “Brown Fat Negative” & Shiver
(01:52:13) Cold & Heat, Inflammation Reduction
(01:55:40) Tool: “Soberg Principle”: End on Cold, Metabolism
(01:59:39) Cold Exposure: Fed or Fasted?
(02:00:32) Raynaud’s Syndrome; Hand/Feet Protection in Cold
(02:05:21) Tool: Headache & Cold Exposure; Head Submersion & Head Coverings
(02:11:29) Children & Hypothermia Risk
(02:17:16) Gender Differences & Cold Exposure
(02:19:57) Tool: Brief, Repeated Temperature Changes; Circadian Rhythm & Temperature
(2:27:53) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac