let’s get scientific

This section is for those of you who want to dive a little deeper and understand the mechanisms of action. “Let’s get scientific”, will explain, in simple terms, the body’s response to cold exposure with references that support the claims made of them.

Before explaining the physiology associated with cold exposure, it is important to understand that Mind over Matter Practice is primarily focused on training you to become more resilient to stress. The reason this is mentioned here first is because we do not claim to cure disease. Rather, we offer to move your mind beyond its current definition of discomfort. Through your willingness to expose yourself to the unknown, not only will you develop your self-assurance, but also the ability to control your brain’s biological regulation of the stress response internally (Meine et al. 2021).

Embark with us on a thrilling journey into the realm of cold exposure, where your body's extraordinary neural mechanisms spring into action, unveiling a multitude of benefits.

As the chill of the cryogenic ambience contacts your skin, a symphony of signals will be transmitted to your brain through an intricate network of nerves. These signals will set in motion a cascade of remarkable responses, each with its own purpose and reward. First and foremost, they will stage an insulative reaction, prompting the release of chemicals that will constrict the blood vessels beneath your skin, creating a barrier against heat loss and the intrusion of the cold (Alba, Castellani & Charkoudian, 2019). Among these chemicals, neuropeptide Y (NP-Y), at the forefront, will not only preserve this warmth but also enhance your brain's ability to adapt to stress (Reichmann & Holzer, 2016).

But there's more! Your nerves will also trigger metabolic adjustments within your muscle cells, giving rise to the mesmerising phenomenon of shivering. This dynamic response, akin to the effects of exercise, will rev up your metabolism, generating a burst of energy (in the form of ATP), and incinerating sugar and stored fat to produce invigorating heat (Nakamura & Morrison, 2011). In this way, the phenomenon, known as shivering thermogenesis, reveals itself as the impetus for weight loss and heightened heat production.

But the magic doesn't stop there! Your resilient nervous system will initiate a process of habituation, triggered by your shivering, that will activate the genetic expression of PGC-1 alpha. This awe-inspiring activation will set in motion a series of biological transformations that underlie the long-term benefits of cold exposure (Liang & Ward, 2006). As PGC-1 alpha takes charge, it will orchestrate essential effects such as the conversion of your white fat into metabolically active brown fat, capable of generating heat without shivering (Gill & La Merrill, 2017). It will also foster the production of mitochondria, the powerhouses of your cells, elevating your metabolism, enhancing glucose tolerance, and improving insulin sensitivity (Zhang et al., 2022). And that's not all, as the production of irisin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) will also be stimulated by the cold exposure, unlocking their incredible antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant properties. BDNF will then take charge in boosting learning, memory, and stress resilience, while also acting as a natural painkiller (Yin et al., 2014; Rius-Perez et al., 2020; Colucci-D’Amato, Speranza & Volpicelli, 2020).

Still there’s more to this experience! As cold exposure triggers the release of endocannabinoids and endorphins, an unleashed wave of euphoria, thermogenesis, pain relief, neuroplasticity, and reduction in neuroinflammation will take place (Krott et al., 2016; Bartowska-Trybulec et al., 2022; Park & Watkins, 2021). The heightened levels of endocannabinoids in your bloodstream will then elevate your tolerance to both psychological and physiological stressors and skillfully regulate the analgesic system in the periaqueductal gray region of your brain (Aubrey et al., 2017).

And to put the icing on the cake—specific glands and tissues will be activated during your brain's dance with the cold, leading to the release of an array of hormones. Among them, Leptin will take the spotlight, taming your hunger sensations and supercharging your energy levels (Rezai-Zadeh et al., 2014). Meanwhile, cortisol taking on a supporting role, will tame inflammation and empower your immune system's white blood cells, bolstering your overall resilience Tipton et al., 2017).

Check out Andrew Huberman’s podcast

https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/using-deliberate-cold-exposure-for-health-and-performance