This episode I explain the science of heating and cooling the body, a process called thermoregulation-- and how to apply that knowledge to significantly improve physical performance. I describe the three areas of our body that can remove heat (or bring heat into the body) faster than anywhere else, why that is so, and how proper cooling of these areas with specific protocols can allow people to perform 200-600% more volume and repetitions of resistance exercises at the same weight loads, or to run, cycle or swim significantly further. I also describe how to use directed cooling of so-called glabrous skin: the bottoms of feet, palms and face, to significantly enhance recovery times from exercise. Also, why the common practices of trying to heat up or cool the body via the torso or whole-body submersion in cold can be inefficient and/or dangerous-- and the better alternatives. Finally, I discuss the temperature effects of caffeine, alcohol and anti-inflammatory compounds. The information in this episode is focused on mechanisms and tools for increasing athletic or exercise performance. Thank you to our sponsors: InsideTracker - https://insidetracker.com/huberman Helix - https://helixsleep.com/huberman Theragun - https://theragun.com/huberman Our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/andrewhuberman Supplements from Thorne: http://www.thorne.com/u/huberman Social: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Twitter - https://twitter.com/hubermanlab Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab Website - https://hubermanlab.com Join the Neural Network - https://hubermanlab.com/neural-network Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:05:08 Physical Performance & Skill Learning 00:06:40 Optimal Learning Protocol (Recap): 4 Steps 00:08:31 Variables Impacting Physical Performance 00:10:00 Temperature Is the Dominant Variable 00:12:08 Understanding Mechanism Is Key 00:13:42 Heat: The Enemy of All Performance (& Why) 00:16:30 Blood Flow & Sweating & Piloerection 00:22:35 Heat Is What Limits Effort: Even If You Feel Fine/Motivated 00:25:29 Proper Cooling Can Double, Triple, Quadruple (Or More) Your Ability 00:26:42 Heat Induced Confusion & Death 00:30:02 The Three Body Parts Best For Heating & Cooling Your Whole Body 00:31:38 Face, Palms, Bottoms of Feet; Glabrous Skin 00:33:00 Arterio-Venous Anastamoses (AVAs) Are Super Cool(ing)! 00:37:15 Palmar Cooling Can Supercharge Your Athletic Performance 00:38:35 ATP, Pyruvate Kinase & Heat 00:40:55 Palmer Cooling Outperforms Anabolic Steroids Several-Fold 00:43:45 Increasing Endurance, Willpower & Persistence 00:46:33 Cardiac Drift, & Moving the ”I Quit” Point 00:50:44 Deliberate Heating: Myths and Better Protocols 00:53:20 Protocols For Self-Directed Cooling To Vastly Improve Performance 00:59:23 How To Use Cold To Recover Faster & More Thoroughly 01:02:05 Ice Baths & Cold Showers Can Prevent Training Progress: mTOR, etc. 01:06:29 Alcohol, Caffeine, NSAIDs: Their Temperature Effects Matter 01:09:44 Are Stimulants Counter Productive For Performance? It Depends. 01:12:00 The Caffeine Rule & “Caffeine Adaptation” 01:14:20 NSAIDs for Training: Performance Enhancements & Risks 01:17:00 The Best Way to Explore Your Own “Parameter Space” 01:18:35 Tools: How To Try 01:21:35 Cost-Free Support, & Additional Support & Resources Please note that The Huberman Lab Podcast is distinct from Dr. Huberman's teaching and research roles at Stanford University School of Medicine. The information provided in this show is not medical advice, nor should it be taken or applied as a replacement for medical advice. The Huberman Lab Podcast, its employees, guests and affiliates assume no liability for the application of the information discussed. Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac - https://www.blabacphoto.com