"Nothing Spikes Dopamine Like 1 Minute of This" - Andrew Huberman
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Deliberate cold exposure leads to a prolonged rise in dopamine and norepinephrine above baseline levels. What's particularly interesting is this boost in dopamine occurs without an apparent subsequent drop in dopamine below baseline levels which is in stark contrast to drugs of abuse. Those substances cause large and rapid spikes in dopamine followed by drops below baseline levels (the crash), which can be quite detrimental.
In this video, Andrew also details:
- Why he "counts walls" during deliberate cold exposure
- Why cold exposure enhances stress tolerance
- Why deliberate cold exposure may benefit stress resilience by cultivating an interoceptive sense of overcoming or "moving through" stress
- Why Dr. Andrew Huberman believes early-day adrenaline from cold-water immersion may enhance nighttime sleep quality, particularly REM sleep
- Effective cold plunges alternatives for boosting dopamine
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Cold stress News
- Cold-water immersion reduces muscle protein synthesis by 30% post-exercise, potentially inhibiting the uptake of essential nutrients for muscle repair and growth.
- Hot or cold water immersion after intense exercise does not speed recovery in women, despite immediate physiological effects.
- Cold-water immersion may offer stress relief and immune benefits, but its effects are highly time dependent.
- Regular cold showers boost immune responses, increasing levels of immunoglobulins and cytokines critical in protecting against infections.
- Whole-body cryotherapy improves mood, reduces anxiety, and enhances sleep quality, with specific enhancement in slow-wave, restorative sleep seen in a recent study.
