Article

AMA #7: Cold Exposure, Maximizing REM Sleep & My Next Scientific Studies

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Saya Team

health
immunity
cold exposure
wellness
science
clock icon5 min read

Brief summary

In this Ask Me Anything episode of the Huberman Lab Podcast, Andrew Huberman discusses the effects of cold exposure on health, how it interacts with the immune system, and offers guidance on its safe practice.

Highlights

❄️

Deliberate cold exposure, if brief and followed by warming up, probably doesn't directly increase the risk of getting sick, but environmental factors like cold, dry air can affect susceptibility to infections.

🥶

Regular deliberate cold exposure can potentially enhance immune function through increased production of certain immune cells and molecules, although its direct impact on resistance to specific infections is less clear.

🌬️

Cold exposure and cyclic hyperventilation can both trigger the release of adrenaline and norepinephrine, which have short-term pro-immune effects, but chronic elevation can suppress the immune system.

🤒

When feeling unwell, it's best to avoid cold exposure and instead focus on rest and recovery, as the body's resources should be devoted to fighting off infection.

👃

Nasal breathing is recommended over mouth breathing for general health and to reduce susceptibility to infections, as the mouth is a main entry point for pathogens.

Quotes

  • `“`Brief cold exposure is generally safe, but it's important to warm up afterwards.`“`
  • `“`Regular deliberate cold exposure can potentially enhance immune function.`“`
  • `“`Nasal breathing is recommended over mouth breathing to reduce susceptibility to infections.`“`

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Key Ideas

Introduction to Cold Exposure AMA

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00:00:00

Andrew Huberman introduces the AMA episode on cold exposure, its potential health benefits, and its impact on the immune system.

  • Discussion on science-based tools for everyday life.
  • The episode is part of a premium subscriber channel supporting research.
  • Deliberate Cold Exposure and Sickness

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    00:01:45

    Huberman addresses whether cold exposure can cause sickness, emphasizing that brief exposure followed by warming up is unlikely to increase sickness risk.

  • Brief cold exposure is generally safe.
  • Importance of warming up after exposure.
  • Cold Exposure and Immune Function

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    00:02:01

    Regular cold exposure may enhance immune function through increased immune cells and molecules, though its direct impact on fighting infections is unclear.

  • Potential immune-enhancing effects of cold exposure.
  • Trend towards increased plasma concentrations of immune markers with regular exposure.
  • Adrenaline, Norepinephrine, and Immunity

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    00:12:45

    Cold exposure and cyclic hyperventilation increase adrenaline and norepinephrine, which can have both pro-immune and immune-suppressing effects.

  • Short-term pro-immune effects of increased adrenaline and norepinephrine.
  • Chronic elevation can suppress the immune system.
  • Cold Exposure When Feeling Unwell

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    00:17:00

    Huberman advises against cold exposure when feeling unwell, suggesting rest and recovery as the body's resources should focus on fighting infection.

  • Avoid stressful or challenging exposures when sick.
  • Recommendation for rest and recovery.
  • Q&A

    Does cold exposure directly increase the risk of getting sick?

    Brief cold exposure followed by warming up probably doesn't directly increase the risk of getting sick.

    Can regular cold exposure enhance immune function?

    Regular cold exposure may enhance immune function through increased production of certain immune cells and molecules.

    Should you do cold exposure when feeling unwell?

    When feeling unwell, it's best to avoid cold exposure and instead focus on rest and recovery.

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