The solution to the world's most terrifying cold tolerance

Fool the brain to survive in the harshest natural conditions - that's how the Wim Hofman overcomes them.

Wim Hof - a 53-year-old man from the Netherlands - currently holds the world record for cold tolerance. While we are still busy with the cold of winter, Wim can comfortably walk under the Arctic weather -20 degrees, dive deep under the ice with a normal swimsuit, and climb to the summit of Everest with just a pair of shorts.

Even in history, no one has ever recorded the ability of Hof. Thanks to that, he was given the name: Ice Man - Ice Man.

The Wim Hof ​​iceberg - the world's most cold-cold man

Solution of science

Wim Hof's strange ability has made science especially paying attention. Recently, Otto Musik - a doctor at Wayne State Medical University (USA) has tried to observe Hof's body changes when exposed to the cold environment, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The results are extremely unexpected, when the key is in Hof's brain. He has the ability to fool his body, making it no longer feel cold.

Specifically, he activated a system of pain relief in the body by special breathing methods. In other words, this can be considered a "hack" way into the normal physiological system, so that "Iceman" feels more excited. And that is extremely useful in that harsh environment.

Scientists tried to observe Hof's body changes with an MRI scanner.

Breathing method of "Ice"

After creating a record of his sublime cold tolerance, Wim Hof ​​revealed his secret. It was a breathing method he named "The Wim Hof ​​Method" , which, according to him, could be practiced.

The first technique requires complete relaxation , possibly on a sofa or bed. The next step you need to do is to breathe deeply for several minutes.

This process will cause a tingling sensation in the body, as the amount of CO2 in the blood decreases. That is exactly what you need to do in the face of the harsh nature.

Wim Hof ​​thinks that the human brain can control the perception of pain. This is an important mechanism for human survival.

In order to confirm the effectiveness of this method, Dr. Musik observed Wim through an MRI machine and continuously poured hot or cold water into his body. As a result, Wim's exercise proved to be effective, making the body less sensitive to temperature. Even the "Iceman" body now releases compounds that make him feel more excited.

Wim's exercises proved to be effective, making the body less sensitive to temperature.

For example, imagine you were chased by a tiger, while your ankle was injured. It is tragic, isn't it? But in fact, at that time, our brain was able to eliminate pain in the legs, to concentrate entirely on running away. This is how this mechanism works.

If you just practice breathing, everyone will be a Iceman?

Sorry, the answer is no. According to Musik, Wim Hof's method only works for a short time, only a few minutes.

To counteract the feeling of cold afterwards, his body must be able to predict the effects of the environment, and thereby maintain the state in a sustainable way. This is probably Hof's innate ability.

However, the discovery of the Ice's breathing method also helps scientists to open new paths, especially in-depth study of the impact of thinking on physical activity in practice.