Is jumping into freezing water the key to unlocking superhuman health, or is it just the most painful wellness trend on the internet? Before you take the plunge, you need to hear what science actually says. Welcome to the ultimate deep dive into the world of cold plunges and ice baths. It's the biohacking phenomenon that has taken over social media, but what's the real story behind the shiver? We're cutting through the hype to explore the science of cold exposure, focusing on the globally famous Wim Hof Method (WHM) and its claims to reduce inflammation through a powerful combination of breathing exercises and cold water immersion. Can you really control your immune system with your breath and a tub of ice? We dissect the latest systematic reviews, examining the evidence for its effect on anti-inflammatory responses like epinephrine and interleukin-10. We also explore cold therapy from a sports therapy perspective, asking if it truly helps with muscle soreness or if the risks of hypothermia and shock outweigh the benefits. This isn't just about willpower; it's about biology. We'll uncover the fascinating science of brown fat thermogenesis and how your autonomic nervous system responds to the cold, explaining the body's incredible capacity for cold adaptation. If you're ready to separate the cold, hard facts from the wellness hype, you've found your podcast. Subscribe now, and let's find out if the big chill is really worth it.

New research sheds light on how long-term exposure to fine air pollution may affect the body's ability to regulate blood sugar and maintain metabolic health. ...

Scientists discover alternative cellular process for producing heat that may enhance metabolic health. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have uncovered a previously...

Metformin is primarily used for type 2 diabetes and weight loss. It is also used for a rare condition known as polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Ice baths, chilli-laced meals, cryotherapy chambers – if you listen to influencers, these are the keys to unlocking a healthier life.  The goal? Activating brown fat. Stimulating this so-called ‘good...

By Hg6996 - Own work, Public Domain, Once dismissed as a feature only babies possess, brown adipose tissue (BAT), is widely recognized as the body’s metabolism-boosting, heat-generating fat. This Time Machine episode takes a look back at early research and new discoveries about this metabolism-boosting fat. According to a 2007 paper published in the American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism, …

Scientists have discovered a hidden switch in the body that helps special fat cells, known as brown fat, burn calories and produce heat, especially when it’s cold. This fat acts like a natural furnace,...

Being conceived in colder months may enhance your body’s ability to burn calories throughout life. A new study shows cold-season conception is linked to more active brown fat and greater energy expend...

Brown fat burns energy to produce heat, unlike white fat. Learn how it affects metabolism, obesity, and ways to activate it naturally.

Rutgers researchers found that increased brown fat improves longevity and exercise capacity in mice. They aim to develop a drug that replicates these benefits in humans. Rutgers Health researchers have...

Welcome to the inaugural Adipose Biology Conference hosted in Montreal, Canada on August 19th - 20th 2025.

A new study suggests that daily taxifolin intake may support weight loss in older adults, possibly through brown fat activation and cholesterol regulation.