4 ms·

If I read the methods correctly, then how does this fall into the category of "learned behavior"? Exposing the body to these temperature extremes, which are fa

by lukev 11y ago

If I read the methods correctly, then how does this fall into the category of "learned behavior"? Exposing the body to these temperature extremes, which are far outside the norms most of us experience and which must induce borderline hypothermia, surely has its own physiological effect. I don't doubt the effect can be beneficial, but that seems squarely in the camp of physical treatment as opposed to "thinking" yourself into a different bodily state.

horsecaptin 11y ago
I think perhaps people look at Wim Hof and think, "ok so I have to go swimming in a lake of snow to make this work. Cold showers are pretty awesome - you'll need all of your will-power to get into one, after a minute or two of discomfort your body will adjust -- especially if you think warm thoughts. And you'll come out feeling great!
mettamage 11y ago
To avoid confusion read my answer on cognitive science stack exchange. While it is just an opinion, it is quite an informed one. I participated in the study above. Our final challenge was walking on a ski mountain for 2.5 hours -7 degrees celsius with shorts and shoes. You could bring a hat for style points (I did :) ) but no shirt. Once in a lifetime experience: hugging people in ski-suits who were on vacation while I was dressed like I'd go to a summer pool party. http://cogsci.stackexchange.com/questions/10651/does-wim-hof-really-consciously-control-his-autonomic-nervous-systemx http://cogsci.stackexchange.com/questions/10651/does-wim-hof... I agree with you on the idea it's not classical conditioning. The WHM has 3 components: cold exposure, breathing technique and the right mindset (mindset is akin to optimism but it is more stereotypical game-shaman like, e.g. "the cold is your friend."). IMO the breathing technique produces the biggest effect, then cold exposure itself and the mindset acts like an amplification of what you learned. In my subjective experience I'd ratio the effects as 41/39/20 (breathing,exposure,mindset).
- iamcurious 11y ago
  Impressive. Can you point to some references regarding the breathing technique?

by lukev 11y ago

horsecaptin 11y ago

I think perhaps people look at Wim Hof and think, "ok so I have to go swimming in a lake of snow to make this work. Cold showers are pretty awesome - you'll need all of your will-power to get into one, after a minute or two of discomfort your body will adjust -- especially if you think warm thoughts. And you'll come out feeling great!

mettamage 11y ago

To avoid confusion read my answer on cognitive science stack exchange. While it is just an opinion, it is quite an informed one. I participated in the study above. Our final challenge was walking on a ski mountain for 2.5 hours -7 degrees celsius with shorts and shoes. You could bring a hat for style points (I did :) ) but no shirt. Once in a lifetime experience: hugging people in ski-suits who were on vacation while I was dressed like I'd go to a summer pool party. http://cogsci.stackexchange.com/questions/10651/does-wim-hof-really-consciously-control-his-autonomic-nervous-systemx http://cogsci.stackexchange.com/questions/10651/does-wim-hof... I agree with you on the idea it's not classical conditioning. The WHM has 3 components: cold exposure, breathing technique and the right mindset (mindset is akin to optimism but it is more stereotypical game-shaman like, e.g. "the cold is your friend."). IMO the breathing technique produces the biggest effect, then cold exposure itself and the mindset acts like an amplification of what you learned. In my subjective experience I'd ratio the effects as 41/39/20 (breathing,exposure,mindset).

iamcurious 11y ago
Impressive. Can you point to some references regarding the breathing technique?