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Essentials: Supercharge Exercise Performance & Recovery with Cooling
Mar 20, 2025 · 33 min
In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I discuss the critical role of temperature regulation in optimizing athletic and physical performance.
I explain why overheating can hinder performance and endurance and how techniques like palmar cooling can help extend physical effort by aiding temperature regulation. I also highlight how specific body areas, such as the palms and face, are key targets for regulating temperature, allowing heat to dissipate efficiently. Lastly, I discuss how temperature can support training recovery while cautioning that extreme cold, such as ice baths immediately after training, can block adaptations.
Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.
Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past full-length Huberman Lab episodes. Watch or listen to the full-length episode at hubermanlab.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman
Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman
Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman
Timestamps
00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Physical Performance & Skills, Temperature
00:03:03 Sponsor: AG1
00:04:07 Temperature Homeostasis, Vasoconstriction & Vasodilation
00:06:42 Elevated Heat & Performance Barrier
00:08:26 Regulating Temperature, Glabrous Skin, “AVAs”
00:12:20 Sponsor: Eight Sleep
00:13:49 Strength Training & Heat Effects, Tool: Palmar Cooling
00:17:21 Endurance, Temperature & Willpower
00:20:54 Tool: Resistance Training, Running, Palmar Cooling & Water Temperature
00:24:23 Sponsor: Function
00:26:09 Ice Bath & Blocking Training Adaptations; Tool: Glabrous Skin & Recovery
00:29:31 NSAIDs (Tylenol) & Training
00:31:56 Recap & Key Takeaways
Disclaimer & Disclosures
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