December 17, 2020
How do hot and cold therapies work?
Exactly how hot should your sauna be?
What are the benefits of dry vs. infrared saunas?
Is there anything you can use to heat up your body or enhance detoxification more during the use of heat?
How about how cold a cold shower or cold bath should be?
What kind of hacks increase fat loss in response to cold thermogenesis?
Does cryotherapy really “blunt the effects of exercise?”
In this extremely comprehensive overview of all things heat, hyperthermia, sauna, cold, cryotherapy, and cold thermogenesis, you'll discover everything you need to know about enhancing performance, cognition, fat loss, cellular resilience, detoxification, anti-aging, and much, much more. You can consider this podcast to be your ultimate resource on all things hot and cold therapy.
In this special “solosode” from Ben, you'll discover:
-How Ben got started using hot and cold therapy…6:25
- Grew up in northern Idaho, where he was homeschooled
- Spent lots of time outdoors and reading books as a child
- Played tennis in college at the University of Idaho
- Became interested in biomechanics and bodybuilding, managed wellness facility
- Sauna used to help maintain weight as a bodybuilder
- Sweat, blood, tears, creatine, protein shakes, caffeine – Ben's “stack” in college
- Competed in Ironmans for 10-12 years
- Used cold thermogenesis before fully understanding the benefits of it
-Ben's sadistic foray into hyperthermia…10:40
- Hyperthermia is increasing in popularity for getting rid of disease, pathogens, etc.
- Hyperthermia chamber used to treat cancer at the Swiss Mountain Clinic
- Inducing a fever
- Common treatment is ~3 hours
- Ben eventually “tapped out” due to the level of discomfort
- Article: Hyperthermia in Cancer Treatment
-The endurance benefits of heat…15:15
- Lower resting heart rate by increasing blood volume
- Sauna sessions give a similar effect to the banned drug erythropoietin
- Optimize blood flow to the heart, skin, etc.
- Get in the sauna after an exercise session to get the effect
- Glycogen-sparing effect:
- Allows your body to more efficiently hold on to carbohydrates during exercise
- Burn more fat as fuel during exercise
- Studies (here and here) in hyperthermic conditioning in athletes show that muscle glycogen usage is reduced by 40~50% compared to before heat acclimatization, due to increased blood flow and glucose delivery to the muscles
- Improves thermoregulatory control (body is more efficient at cooling itself)
- Less lactic acid in the muscles when involved in regular sauna practice
- Article: Effect of post-exercise sauna bathing on the endurance performance of competitive male runners.
-Muscular benefits of heat…19:00
- Increased muscle hypertrophy (size rather than number of cells)
- Increases net muscle protein synthesis
- Sauna use while rehabbing an injury to maintain muscle
- Delay muscle atrophy
- Mitochondria more readily able to meet the energetic demands of muscle cells (oxidative phosphorylation)
- Increases overall cellular resilience (hormetic stressor)
- Massive release of IGF-1
- Activate mTOR pathway
- Inhibit FOXO activation which can inhibit muscle degradation
- Increase in insulin sensitivity; decreases muscle protein catabolism
- GLUT4 transports glucose into skeletal muscle from the bloodstream
- Want to maintain a hypertrophic state of the injured muscle
- Studies and articles:
- Heat Stress and Cardiovascular, Hormonal, and Heat Shock Proteins in Humans
- How the sauna affects the endocrine system
- Heat Exposure Elevates Plasma Immunoreactive Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone Levels in Man
- Glutamine and heat shock protein expression
- Pharmacology of anabolic steroids
- Change in hormones reflecting sympathetic activity in the Finnish sauna
- Regular thermal therapy may promote insulin sensitivity while boosting expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase–effects comparable to those of exercise training
- Insulin and Insulin Resistance
-Longevity benefits of heat…26:45
- Brief exposure to heat treatment increases the lifespan of flies and worms by up to 15%
- Hormetic response that increases heat shock proteins is associated with longevity
- Protects DNA, inhibits telomere shortening
-How heat (or leaving heat) promotes brain health…27:35
- Sauna-induced hyperthermia activates HPA axis and sympathetic nervous system
- Increase in epinephrine
- Increase in blood flow or blood glucose
- Increase in prolactin
- Increase in cortisol
- Getting out of the sauna makes it drop
- Similar to brief bouts of exercise
- Promotes myelin growth
- Norepinephrine levels are stimulated
- Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is significantly affected by heat
- BDNF ameliorates depression
- Increase resilience to stress
- Beta-endorphin gives the “feel good” effect when you leave the sauna
- Dynorphin peptide (gives the “runners high”)
- Exercising in the heat becomes much easier
- Studies and articles:
- Haemodynamic and hormonal responses to heat exposure in a Finnish sauna bath
- Response of plasma endorphins, prolactin and catecholamines in women to intense heat in a sauna
- Changes in mood state following whole-body hyperthermia
- Therapeutic effect of whole body hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced cancer
- Are Saunas The Next Big Performance Enhancing Drug?
-Tips and tricks to enhance your sauna experience…35:25
- Topical muscle warming creams (embarkation creams)
- Black pepper tea
- Niacin, Viagra, sildenafil
- Activated charcoal
- Halotherapy units (salt therapy)
- Clearlight Sanctuary Sauna
- Essential oils
- Peppermint, Cinnamon, & Tobacco (use code BEN to save 10%)
- The Crazy Future Of Medical Biohacking: Skull Resets, Suppositories, Nasal Sprays, Nebulizers, Sound Therapy & More With Dr. John Lieurance.
- Quinton for remineralizing (use code GREENFIELD to save 10%)
- Celtic sea salt
- Be careful with neuromuscular recovery time
- Track HRV with:
- Study: Acute Neuromuscular and Hormonal Responses to Different Exercise Loadings Followed by a Sauna
-How cold affects the brain…43:00
- Release of norepinephrine in the bloodstream (hormone and neurotransmitter that affects alertness, mood, etc.)
- Combats ADHD, depression (norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are prescribed to depression patients)
- A recent study saw a decrease in the risk of depression, dementia, and Alzheimer's in people who regularly swim in cold water
- Increase in focus, energy, better mood, etc. as you warm up from the cold
- 1 hour of cold water submersion (57 °F) increases norepinephrine by 500%, dopamine by 250%
- 40 degrees at 20 seconds still gives significant increases in norepinephrine (quick dips in the cold pool)
- Morozko Forge (use code BENFORGE to save $150)
- Synapses in the neurons break down in the cold; however, they regenerate when it warms up
- RBM3 (cold shock protein)
- Neurosurgeons use cold in their practice to increase the repair of synapses
- Article by Dr. Rhonda Patrick: Cold Shocking the Body
- Articles:
- Cold Shocking the Body
- Adapted cold shower as a potential treatment for depression
- Chronic cold exposure increases RGS7 expression and decreases alpha(2)-autoreceptor-mediated inhibition of noradrenergic locus coeruleus neurons
- Human physiological responses to immersion into water of different temperatures
- The importance of norepinephrine in depression
-Inflammation and immune system benefits of cold…49:50
- Norepinephrine that's released inhibits many inflammatory pathways (TNF-α)
- Also decreases macrophage inflammatory proteins (MIP-1), produced by immune cells, and can cause arthritis and other inflammatory-related conditions
- Improves the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB)
- Doubles glutathione reductase, increases superoxide dismutase
- Inhibits collagenase activity
- Decreased pain response to injury
-The effects of cold on aging…53:15
- Aging causes the production of immunosenescence
- Increased lymphocyte numbers (white blood cells)
- T-killer cells decrease naturally with age
- Thymosin-α 1 peptide
-Cold's effects on fat loss…54:20
- Two types of thermogenesis:
- Ramp up metabolism (burn through glucose like candy)
- Non-shivering thermogenesis (on a cellular level regulated by norepinephrine increase)
- White adipose tissue to brown adipose tissue (browning effect)
- A Day In The Life Of The Ultimate Fat Burning Weapon Inventor with Eric Grove.
- Cool Fat Burner (use code BEN10CFB to save 10%)
- Hot Trend: Tapping the Power of Cold to Lose Weight – Wired Magazine article in 2013 about Ray Cronise
- 5 minute hot/cold contrast shower
- BGF articles:
-Performance and recovery…58:25
- Pro-inflammatory cytokines activated right after exercise (exercise-induced inflammation)
- Macrophages released are associated with muscular atrophy you get with strength training
- Extreme cold immediately after exercise may not be advisable
- 15 minutes exposure to 50 °F after running can increase PGC1-α (mitochondrial biogenesis)
- Timing and dosing are key:
- Allow body time to produce inflammatory response
- Save the 10-minute ice bath for 2 hours after exercise
- Cryotherapy after tennis practice
-Tips and tricks to enhance cold thermogenesis…1:03:45
- Cool Fat Burner
- Melatonin can increase brown fat thermogenesis (use code GREENFIELD10 to save 10%)
- Caffeine (preferably cold)
- Bitter melon extract
- Capsaicin, piperine, ginger, cinnamon can boost thermogenesis
- Citrus aurantium supplement
- Bile acids for liver and gallbladder health; upregulate thyroid hormone function which boosts thermogenesis in brown fat
- Forskolin
- Fish oil partnered with cold
- Ketones
- Q&A 420: Which Stimulants Are Safe To Take At Night, Maximizing Benefits Of Cold Thermogenesis, When To Do Blood Flow Restriction Training & More!
- Wim Hof breathwork
- Box breathing
- Coldwater immersion is preferable over cryotherapy
- Morozko Forge
- PaleoFX 2020 PowerPoint presentation
-And much more!
Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.
Resources from this episode:
– Podcasts and articles:
- The Crazy Future Of Medical Biohacking: Skull Resets, Suppositories, Nasal Sprays, Nebulizers, Sound Therapy & More With Dr. John Lieurance.
- Q&A 420: Which Stimulants Are Safe To Take At Night, Maximizing Benefits Of Cold Thermogenesis, When To Do Blood Flow Restriction Training & More!
- Conquer The Cold And Get Quantum Leaps In Performance In This Exclusive Interview With The Amazing Iceman Wim Hof.
- A Day In The Life Of The Ultimate Fat Burning Weapon Inventor with Eric Grove.
- PaleoFX 2020 PowerPoint presentation
– Food & Supplements:
- Amazon List Of Supplements & Ingredients To Enhance Fat Burning From Cold Thermogenesis
- Supplements to enhance the effects of cold discussed on this podcast:
- Melatonin can increase brown fat thermogenesis (use code GREENFIELD10 to save 10%)
- Caffeine (preferably cold)
- Bitter melon extract
- Capsaicin, piperine, ginger, cinnamon
- Citrus aurantium supplement
- Bile acids for liver and gallbladder health;
- Forskolin
- Fish oil
- Ketones
- Supplements and foods to enhance the effects of heat:
- Black pepper tea
- Niacin
- Activated charcoal
- Quinton for remineralizing (use code GREENFIELD to save 10%)
- Celtic sea salt
- Peppermint, Cinnamon, & Tobacco Essential Oils (use code BEN to save 10%)
- Prototype 8 by ATP Science
- Zen Nasal spray
– Studies:
- Heat:
- Getting rid of disease:
- Endurance benefits:
- Muscular benefits:
- Heat Stress and Cardiovascular, Hormonal, and Heat Shock Proteins in Humans
- How the sauna affects the endocrine system
- Heat Exposure Elevates Plasma Immunoreactive Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone Levels in Man
- Glutamine and heat shock protein expression
- Pharmacology of anabolic steroids
- Change in hormones reflecting sympathetic activity in the Finnish sauna
- Regular thermal therapy may promote insulin sensitivity while boosting expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase–effects comparable to those of exercise training
- Insulin and Insulin Resistance
- Brain health:
- Haemodynamic and hormonal responses to heat exposure in a Finnish sauna bath
- Response of plasma endorphins, prolactin and catecholamines in women to intense heat in a sauna
- Changes in mood state following whole-body hyperthermia
- Therapeutic effect of whole body hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced cancer
- Are Saunas The Next Big Performance Enhancing Drug?
- Acute Neuromuscular and Hormonal Responses to Different Exercise Loadings Followed by a Sauna
- Cold:
- Brain health:
- Cold Shocking the Body
- Adapted cold shower as a potential treatment for depression
- Chronic cold exposure increases RGS7 expression and decreases alpha(2)-autoreceptor-mediated inhibition of noradrenergic locus coeruleus neurons
- Human physiological responses to immersion into water of different temperatures
- The importance of norepinephrine in depression
- Cold Water Swimming—Benefits and Risks: A Narrative Review
- Fat loss:
- Brain health:
– Other resources:
- Sauna (use code BENGREENFIELD to save $500)
- Halotherapy
- Oura Ring
- WHOOP
- Morozko Forge (use code BENFORGE to save $150)
- Cool Fat Burner (use code BEN10CFB to save 10%)
- Swiss Mountain Clinic
Episode sponsors:
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Any information on if full spectrum infrared lights such as (tungsten infrared sauna panel from sauna space) to the back torso (ie not directed at testes area) “increases testosterone”? The person who wants to use the infrared is on a medication the “lowers testosterone” in the setting of recurrent prostate cancer. (& May or may not have to cycle this medicine for life to keep testosterone down). My question here is on the science. If any full spectrum infrared light panel increases testosterone= would not use. If scientific studies show “no change in testosterone” level, would get ok from doctor before use.
Referring to the sauna post run providing training benefits…would running in FL in 90° weather and insane humidity provide the same benefits. It’s literally unavoidable July through Sept.
Ben sir your work is great
you are doing an amazing job I have been trying your special shower routine also applying your training and fasting methods in my daily routines.
I have height issues I am 5 feet 3 inches my age is 17 and my body weight is 58.5kg.
Sir it would be a great help if you could tell me that are their any chances of increasing my height or not
So many people have no clue that fast hair growth shampoos (obviously without any sulfates, parabens or DEA) exist. Folks can now experience longer hair and have more options. Surely worth searching. Whether you’re exploring hair loss, damaged hair, avoiding scalp disorders, fast hair growth, hair and scalp care generally, similar ideas become relevant. As a general rule, you have to steer clear of hair treatments and products that include chemicals like parabens, DEA or sulfates. What’s healthy for your hair is good for your skin as well. For obvious reasons the content on this page is so useful for multiple reasons. It stays away from the accustomed traps and pitfalls too many fall into- getting ineffective alternatives. Thank you!
Ben,
I was wondering if you have found any research on cold or hot therapy and it’s affects on Ulcerative Colitis? I have tried using cold showers in the past and had a flare up and am not sure if it was a coincidence or if it may have been induced by the cold. Curious on your thoughts about this. Thank you!
Hi Ben, Thank you for the resources! About the ice bath/swimming outside: Whats your thoughts about going under with your head when its -10 degrees celsius? And if you do it, is it at the start or end?
Thank you so much!
I have horrible circulation and low HRV and really want to try this but it’s so painful on my toes and hands. I live in the tropics so cold showers, walks and swims aren’t an option. Is there an in between from the 1hr at 16c and 20 seconds at 4c? I’d like to work up to getting colder. Frankly 16c would probably feel cold to me but I couldn’t fit an hour into my day so it’s not practical.
So I’ve searched everywhere possible to locate information on or pertaining to thinning hair and cold therapy. I’d consider myself a well educated trainer however.. when I do cold showers more than once per week I notice thinning hair. I quickly realized it could be a constriction effect of blood flow to my scalp. So now I only do vagus nerve and down but still notice significant thinning. The only thing I can think of is the large bundles of androgen receptors in my legs and covertion complications of dht from testosterone. I quantify properly and this is the only line I can draw to a possible outcome other than just a poor stress response to it. Although I’m efficient at handling the cold…any ideas?
Hi Ben
Does a hottub have the same effects as Sauna? Is there disadvantages to having water heat vs dry heat? Like not sweating as much?
Thanks for the info!
Greg
Hi Greg,
I wondered the same and researched a few studies done on the subject. I seems that all heat therapy modularity, such as the sauna and hot tub, produce similar health benefits. You can find here my article in which I compared the health benefits of the sauna and hot tub
https://kenkohacks.com/2020/12/04/hot-bath-super-biohack/
Additionally, the hot tub may have a potential for additional benefits, if you add to the water things like minerals and hydrogen tablets. I’d recall that Ben briefly discussed this in one of the recent Q&A episodes.
Kindest regards,
Eeva
HI Eeva
Thank you for the reply! I have been searching the internet for studies that do comparisons between saunas and hot tubs. Dry heat vs. wet. Your article is great and I like the stacks, I will try a few.
I still wonder why Ben mentions alternatives to Cold water immersion like cold walks (air), but doesn’t mention alternatives to Saunas (dry heat ) such as hot water therapy? (hot tub or jacuzzi)
Anyways, thanks again for the info!
G
Thanks for a super informative talk! Two questions: what’s the ideal time frame to stay in broad spectrum IR sauna (we have same one as yours) — so how long and at what temperature? Like my son I eel stresses himself to the limit, going 45 min at 150 degrees. He’s dizzy etc.
Other, does cold plunge undermine benefits of IR sauna session? I suspect your answer is same as with exercise. Depends on how cold and how long…
Is there any downside to jumping into the cold tub immediately after using the sauna? Could it possibly blunt the effects of the sauna?
Ben, one phenomenal podcast. This is a complete and thorough distillation of all the information that I need to inspire me to improve and maintain both my heat and cold practices. Your ability to communicate effectively while walking on a treadmill, nonstop, for over an hour is truly impressive. Thank you for this.
Great episode as always! I’ve been listening to you for a long time so I thought this would be a rehash of previous podcasts…but as always you dazzled me with some new tips as well as the deeper science on what’s going on.
One question that I’ve had for awhile pertains to heat shock proteins generated through sauna. Would follow up cold shower possibly blunt the benefits of sauna induced heat shock protein generation? I practice and love both and like the sauna after glow but am curious as to whether a post-sauna ice shower would negate some of the benefits of the heat.
Thank you very much for all your excellent research and ability to communicate so effectively.
Scott
No one knows the answer to your question with certainty. The answer as to whether a cold shower would blunt the effects of sauna is likely “no.” Mixing sauna with a cold plunge is more common in Finland. Most or all of the large sauna studies showing health benefits come out of Finland. Some of the participants in these studies undoubtedly do a cold plunge post sauna.
Hi Ben.
I’ve been doing an online course w Wim Hof and am 6 weeks in. I’m taking 30 sec cold shower followed by hot followed by 2 1-2,min cold. I live on Lake Champlain in VT so on the weekends I plunge for 2 1/2 min in the lake. I also own and have in my house a HOCATT ( you mentioned in a podcast you where in one in (NYC). I am wondering what my next step is as you mentioned the shower alternating hot and cold. But most importantly I am wondering the next step in using the cold and hot therapies in conjunction with each other. It is advantageous to go into the HOCATT after a lake plunge? Of should I use the HOCATT as a sauna without the O3 (if one uses the O3 then one is not supposed to shower). Basically, I am asking how to best combine hot and cold therapies together to obtain the best results and what steps going forward I should take. I am an avid listener of your podcasts. Ty
Hi. I want to know the comparison and long term effects if any of the far infrared sauna. Ideal temperature for use of that and how it compares to the dry sauna and near infrared saunas.
I tried listening through but the topics are not being tackled in a linear fashion and tough to assimilate the necessary info.
Regards
Aditya
Hi Aditya:
Ben likes infrared, but he is a bit biased since he is either sponsored by, or affiliated with, an infrared company.
I tend to follow Dr Rhonda Patrick’s advice on Sauna. She is probably the lead researcher on Sauna benefits in the U.S.
The large sauna studies finding health benefits use traditional steam saunas, not infrared. That’s probably one of the reasons why Dr. Rhonda Patrick recommends traditional steam saunas instead infrared. Dr. Patrick has also stated that you need to stay in an infrared sauna longer to obtain an equivalent benefit. The recommended temp for sauna use is 174 F degrees measured at face level for at least 20 minutes. Infrared saunas do not typically reach that temp level.
https://podcastnotes.org/found-my-fitness/rhonda-patrick-sauna/
Thank u so much. Yes this helps. Unfortunately for home use the only practical solution seems like a infrared sauna. Looks like its gonna be longer cooking times.. 😬
Mind you he does “hack” his sauna to get to the temps Rhonda refers to so I think he’s just getting the best of both worlds. Heat and light.
Transcript please
Hey Ben,
Thank you for the great information here and every week that you produce a new podcast. I am 53 year old male who previously owned / operated a CrossFit gym. I am much more into my longevity these days as apposed to what my Fran time might be. I took your Longevity Blueprint course on Mindvilley and pretty much are following the daily/weekly/monthly routines that you laid out in that program.
My question has to do with the timing of the Sauna/workout/cold therapy. Should I be waiting 2 hours after my Sauna to do cold therapy? Should I be doing cold therapy first thing in the morning, then workout, then Sauna? Or can I do all three in a row – workout-sauna-cold therapy? My workouts are the short tabata’s that you recommended. My cold therapy is the 20/10 shower routine.
Thanks for any guidance here.
Rob
Ben, Thanks so much for bringing great subjects every week… we have steam room and was wondering if you get the same benefits as a sauna which I understand is mostly dry heat as opposed to steam heat .
Hi Michael.
The temp of a steam room is less than a steam sauna. The effective amount of heat of stress you feel in steam room is usually equal to or greater than a sauna. The reason for this is that your body absorbs heat must faster in a steam room compared to a steam sauna due to the added moisture. Temp absorption is much faster with moisture (e.g., compare walking outside in 33 degree weather to jumping in a 33 degree lake).
While I am not aware of any studies on this, I would hypothesize that it is possible to get the same heat shock benefit in a steam room and perhaps in a shorter time (depending upon heat of the steam room and flow of steam)
The biggest issue with steam is the water. You must be hypervigilant to purify and sanitize the water before it’s pumped into a steam room. Otherwise, you’re inhaling chlorine (or chloramine) gas and creating an ideal environment for microbial growth.
Will have to read transcript. Listening while you are trying to catch breath is distracting.
Please include transcript option always – can’t sit through pod.
I listened and did not hear the ideal temperature for the sauna. Can someone help me out?
Yes. Nor could I. It’s not very well laid out. Pls can we ahve the transcript option.