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.
Supercharge Exercise Performance & Recovery with Cooling | Huberman Lab Essentials
In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I discuss the critical role of temperature regulation in optimizing athletic and physical performance.
I explain why overheating can hinder performance and endurance and how techniques like palmar cooling can help extend physical effort by aiding temperature regulation. I also highlight how specific body areas, such as the palms and face, are key targets for regulating temperature, allowing heat to dissipate efficiently. Lastly, I discuss how temperature can support training recovery while cautioning that extreme cold, such as ice baths immediately after training, can block adaptations.
Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes—approximately 30 minutes—focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past Huberman Lab episodes. Essentials will be released every Thursday, and our full-length episodes will still be released every Monday.
Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman
Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman
Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman
Timestamps
00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Physical Performance & Skills, Temperature
00:03:03 Sponsor: AG1
00:04:07 Temperature Homeostasis, Vasoconstriction & Vasodilation
00:06:42 Elevated Heat & Performance Barrier
00:08:26 Regulating Temperature, Glabrous Skin, “AVAs”
00:12:20 Sponsor: Eight Sleep
00:13:49 Strength Training & Heat Effects, Tool: Palmar Cooling
00:17:21 Endurance, Temperature & Willpower
00:20:54 Tool: Resistance Training, Running, Palmar Cooling & Water Temperature
00:24:23 Sponsor: Function
00:26:09 Ice Bath & Blocking Training Adaptations; Tool: Glabrous Skin & Recovery
00:29:31 NSAIDs (Tylenol) & Training
00:31:56 Recap & Key Takeaways