Epinephrine (adrenaline) is known to do this, as are other stress hormones like cortisol, a glucocorticoid. In fact inflammation is part of the innate immune system, so anything that is anti-inflammatory is suppressing immune response. This study could have important implications for the treatment of a variety of conditions associated with excessive or persistent inflammation, especially autoimmune diseases in which therapies that antagonize proinflammatory cytokines have shown great benefit.

Healthy volunteers practicing the learned techniques exhibited profound increases in the release of epinephrine, which in turn led to increased production of anti-inflammatory mediators and subsequent dampening of the proinflammatory cytokine response elicited by intravenous administration of bacterial endotoxin. Similarly the cold exposure is said to lead to “ reduced inflammation that facilitates a fortified immune system”.īut the PNAS endotoxin study shows clearly that WHM is immuno-suppressive (and hence the possible benefit for auto-immune diseases): That said, I'm still not 100% sold on it, in part because some of the claims are contradictory.įor instance according to, power breathing is said to promote “ an augmented immune response that swiftly deals with pathogens”. It wakes me up, and I enjoy the cold challenge. Just remember, as Wim always says “no force – feeling is understanding”.I've done Wim Hof breathing on and off, and do cold at the end of my showers. You can do as many sessions as you like per day. When the strong urge to breath arises, take a deep breath in and hold for a count of 10-15 then releaseĭo 3 – 6 rounds of this breathingin a session. Completely relax, calm the mind and release any areas of tension or tingling

Breath deeply like this for 30 breathsĪfter 20, 30 or 40 breaths, after the final letting go of the breath (not all the way), hold your breath as long as you can. Keep breathing steadily like this, and you will feel all sorts of changes happening in your body. All the effort is on the inhale, the out breath is a passive exhale “Fully in….Let go” If possible, in and out through the nose. Breath in deeper and deeper each time until you are completely filling your lungs. Start slowly, and inhale deeper into your belly. Become aware of your breathing consciously. To prepare yourself to learn the Wim Hof Method breathing technique lie down comfortably in a relaxed position and calm your mind. Here are the basic guidelines for the Wim Hof Method breathing:

Does wim hof method work