Throughout history, our ancestors were often exposed to extreme cold and hot temperatures. But now, in our post-industrial world, we lack that healthy stressor. Temperature-controlled environments have made us softer and less resilient. The good news is we can intentionally expose ourselves to hot and cold temperatures and still get a myriad of benefits for our health and longevity.
In addition to lowering inflammation and providing a hefty dose of dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline, cold therapy activates brown fat, a metabolic powerhouse that generates heat by making energy faster and more efficiently than the less desirable white fat, which is linked to inflammation, obesity, and insulin resistance.
Today on The Dhru Purohit Podcast, Dhru sits down with Dr. Susanna Søberg to talk about her groundbreaking research on deliberate cold exposure and brown fat metabolism. Dhru and Dr. Søberg discuss the benefits of cold exposure for supporting mental and metabolic health as well as enhancing mood and energy in the short and long term.
In this episode, Dr. Søberg shares what she’s learned from her research on Danish winter swimmers and how cold and hot therapy can be used as a therapeutic approach for combatting metabolic illness and weight loss. Dhru and Dr. Søberg also discuss the minimal viable dose for cold exposure, if cold showers and cold baths provide the same benefits, who should and should not partake in cold therapy, and so much more.
Dr. Susanna Søberg is one of the world’s leading researchers and experts in cold and heat therapy and functional breathing. She is also the founder of the Soeberg Institute, an online research-backed curriculum designed to help anyone optimize their stress management and performance for a healthier and happier life. Dr. Søberg obtained her PhD in metabolism at the University of Copenhagen and her research has contributed to a deeper understanding of brown fat metabolism in adults.
Dr. Søberg’s work has been published in top scientific journals including Cell Reports Medicine and Cell Metabolism and has been pivotal in contributing to a deeper understanding of our metabolism under hormetic stress and rest conditions in humans. Dr. Søberg is the author of the international bestseller Winter Swimming, which has been translated into 13 languages. Her new book, Thermalist, is available in Danish and hopefully soon in English.
Also mentioned in this episode:
- Winter Swimming: The Nordic Way Towards a Healthier and Happier Life
- The Thermalist (in Danish)
- The Soeberg Institute’s course catalog (use code TRYTHIS for 10% off)
- Dr. Søberg’s research publications
For more on Dr. Susanna Søberg, follow her on Instagram @susanna_soeberg, Facebook @susannasoeberg, YouTube @susannasoeberg, Twitter @SusannaSberg1, LinkedIn at Susanna Søberg, PhD, TikTok @susanna_soeberg, or through her website, soeberginstitute.com.
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