Wellness Corner 54: Breathing like Wim Hof
Hey Falcons,
Picture this: A goofy smile, long grey hair, and a tub full of ice water.
You’re picturing Wim Hof, often referred to as "The Iceman.” You might know him from his videos with YouTubers and celebrities. He’s known for his ability to withstand extreme cold temperatures and his unique breathing technique. It’s a combo of cold exposure, breathing exercises, and meditation…and it’s very controversial. But are there proven benefits? The answer is yes but caution is crucial.
Breathing Technique: Wim Hof's breathing technique involves deep and rapid breaths followed by a period of breath holding. This type of breathing can lead to a state of hyperventilation, which reduces the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. Hyperventilation is of course not always awesome. But when controlled in the Wim Hof method, it can result in respiratory alkalosis, where the blood becomes more alkaline or basic. This altered pH can potentially influence various physiological processes, including lessened pain perception and better immune system activity.
Immune System Modulation: A 2014 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reported that Wim Hof and those who practice his method showed increased production of certain immune cells and decreased levels of inflammation when exposed to an endotoxin (bacterial chemical) that typically triggers an immune response. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms and implications of these findings, though.
Brown Fat Activation: Cold exposure can stimulate the activation of brown adipose tissue (brown fat), which generates heat. This can lead to increased energy expenditure and improved metabolic health (increase metabolism, that is, the rate of food/drink being converted to energy). Cold exposure may also enhance blood circulation and could improve heart function.
Mind Over Matter: Hof's ability to withstand the cold might be partly attributed to his mental training. His form of breathing is almost like meditation, through which he may be able to influence his autonomic nervous system and alter his perception of cold.
It's important to note that while there is some scientific support for certain aspects of Wim Hof's method, not all claims have been rigorously studied or accepted by the mainstream scientific community. With more ‘ice facials,’ ‘ice baths,’ and other spa-y options involving ice popping up, thought this would be an interesting topic for the week.
Hope you enjoyed!
Stay well,
Eshaan
