#018 Dr. Pierre Capel on the Power of the Mind & the Science of Wim Hof

Published: Nov. 6, 2015, 11:37 p.m.

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Dr. Pierre Capel

Dr. Pierre Capel is a professor emeritus in experimental immunology at the Utrecht University in the Netherlands where he researched a wide range of topics from genetic modification to cancer immunotherapy.

Pierre also works with Wim Hof, otherwise known as the iceman (guest on the last podcast) who is especially well-known for some of his amazing physical feats, like staying in a tub with direct contact to ice for over an hour and fifty three minutes.

Pierre explains some of the science behind how Wim is able to withstand cold temperatures for prolonged periods of time. The explanation comes down to what the 2014 PNAS study on Wim\'s technique showed: that reductions in carbon dioxide temporarily increased blood pH. The missing piece to the puzzle that Pierre brings in is the simple fact that pain receptors that are critical to feeling cold temperatures actually rely on what are known as "acid sensing ion channels", which have been shown in other studies to become inactive within the pH ranges Wim and his trainees are able to increase their blood to.

In this episode, we discuss...\\xa0

  • (00:00)\\xa0Introduction
  • (05:45)\\xa0Harmful chronic stress vs beneficial eustress
  • (09:18)\\xa0Exercise improves a person\'s ability to deal with chronic stress
  • (12:55)\\xa0Meditation causes a measurable change in DNA expression
  • (15:51)\\xa0Loneliness caused 60% increase in tumor incidence in rats
  • (19:02)\\xa0Loneliness causes an increase in transcription factor NF-kB
  • (23:32)\\xa0How mood affects the immune system through cortisol and circadian rhythm
  • (26:50)\\xa0Immune responses activated in the gut can cause depression
  • (30:25)\\xa0How meditation affects the brain and relieves chronic stress
  • (40:02)\\xa0Dr. Capel talks about his meditation practice and why he does it
  • (44:42)\\xa0How Wim Hof endures freezing temperatures for hours\\xa0
  • (58:16)\\xa0Mice exposed to severe cold stress experienced beneficial brain reconfiguration
  • (01:08:05)\\xa0The close relationship between love and smell

If you\\u2019re interested in learning more, you can read the full show notes here.

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