If you’re curious about the benefits extreme wellness training, but not all that interested in climbing Everest in your board shorts, Dr. Marc Cohen is your man. He has spent time with Wim Hof, exploring the science behind the breath control, cold exposure and mental focus that serve as the pillars of Hof’s method, and Dr. Marc has adapted his own practices to help you enjoy the benefits of extreme wellness without having to run a marathon in freezing temperatures.
Dr. Marc is a pioneer in the field of integrative and holistic medicine with degrees in western medicine, physiology and psychological medicine as well as advanced degrees in Chinese medicine and biomedical engineering. He leads the wellness research arm of the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences at RMIT university, and Dr. Marc is currently studying the use of organic foods in reducing pesticide exposure, the use of yoga and meditation to treat insomnia and stress, and the use of various therapies and lifestyle interventions for detoxification from environmental chemicals.
Today, Dr. Marc explains the difference between wellness and illness—and how it relates to his mission around realizing worldwide wellness. He shares his experience with and understanding of the science behind the Wim Hof Method, covering the latest research around the health advantages of cold exposure and breath control. Listen in as Dr. Marc walks us through his five-phase breathing practice and learn how you can benefit from extreme wellness training! Who’s up for a little Cold Water Hokey Pokey?
Topics Covered [1:36] The difference between wellness and illness
Wellness = open system, community (WE)
Illness = closed system, isolation (I)
[4:16] The five elements all cells relate to
Water, glucose, oxygen, temperature and carbon dioxide
Can be manipulated (voluntary control)
[7:32] Dr. Marc’s experience with Wim Hof
Combination of mental focus, breath control and cold exposure
Gentle introduction through ‘Cold Water Hokey Pokey’
Blood vessels open in hot water, constrict in cold
Emerging research that Scott shower led to 29% fewer sick days
Trains to remain calm in uncomfortable situations
Forced mindfulness practice, mastery over breathing/body
[19:08] The benefits of extreme wellness training
Consciously control immune system (Netherlands study)
Train body to cope with stress, exercise adaptive mechanisms
Cold exposure induces brown fat production, burns white fat
[28:02] Dr. Marc’s insight on fat loss and metabolism
Cold exposure increases thermogenesis AND appetite
Personal experience of efficiency in burning energy
Breathing technique ‘regenerates cellular machinery’
Cells metabolize more efficiently from experiencing extremes
[30:00] The benefits of long periods of cold exposure
Athletes use ice bathing to reduce pain, inflammation
Overcome trauma by recreating panic in controlled way
[38:54] Dr. Marc’s five phases of breathing
Flowing breath
Staccato (hyperventilation)
Chaos (breath hold)
Recovery/lyrical breath
Stillness
[48:36] Dr. Marc’s theory of cell efficiency via breathing practice
Cells get comfortable, proteins past ‘use by’ date
Breathing practice gives cells wake up call to become more efficient
Learn More About Dr. Marc Dr. Marc’s Website
Resources The Science Behind the Wim Hof Method
The Wim Hof Method
‘The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work’ in PLOS One
‘Voluntary Activation of the Sympathetic Nervous System and Attenuation of the Innate Immune Response in Humans’ in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Comentarios