In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, my guest is Dr. Craig Heller, PhD, a professor of biology at Stanford University and a world expert on the science of temperature regulation.
We discuss how the body and brain regulate temperature in different conditions and why conventional cooling methods, such as placing ice packs on the neck, do not effectively reduce core body temperature. Dr. Heller explains why cooling glabrous skin areas—the palms, soles and upper face—efficiently releases body heat and can significantly enhance physical performance and endurance. We discuss how targeted palmar cooling improves both short-term performance and long-term training adaptation in aerobic and anaerobic exercise.
Episode show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/aERGXSD
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*Timestamps*
00:00:00 Craig Heller
00:00:26 Deliberate Cold Exposure, Cold Showers, Ice Baths; Vasoconstriction
00:02:26 Cold Shower vs Cold Immersion, Boundary Layer, Tool: Improve Aerobic Exercise Performance
00:04:54 Anerobic Exercise & Overheating, Muscle Failure, Muscle Fatigue
00:07:19 Anerobic Exercise, Heat, Cool Down with Ice Water or Cold Towel?
00:09:42 Should You Cool Body/Head to Lower Body Temperature?, Hyperthermia, Heat Stroke
00:13:30 Body Sites for Quick Cooling: Palms, Soles & Upper Face, Glabrous Surfaces
00:16:01 Tool: Loosen Grip & Performance; Gloves & Socks
00:17:33 Cooling Brain via Upper Face; Offset Concussion?
00:19:50 Enhance Anerobic Performance & Cooling Palms, Heat Loss
00:23:05 Improve Aerobic Endurance & Cooling Palms
00:24:00 CoolMitt; Ice Cold Is Too Cold
00:27:00 Tool: Use Palmer Cooling to Enhance Performance; Cooling Palms, Soles & Face
00:30:42 Acknowledgments
Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer
