A superhuman technique by Wim Hof; does it actually work?
Wim Hof proposes that we can consciously control our autoimmune system and become healthier
He’s known as the Iceman, because he has been able to demonstrate an immunity to the cold for long periods, winning Guinness world records and generally being badass. He’s so convinced that the training technique he’s used is able to make people stronger, he challenged a group of scientists to inject him and practitioners with E.coli. Resisting this rather dangerous bacteria directly injected would support the argument for strength against disease. Now Wim Hof has started training others on how to learn his method, and hopes for the world to become a healthier place.
Now, these are huge claims, beyond what science has believed for a long time. The fact that he asserts that anyone with a little bit of training can directly control their immune response and benefit from these effects? The immune system was long thought to be strictly autonomous, or an automatic response. So there’s a challenge to the status quo with the potential for enormous benefits. Well, if his claims are true why hasn’t it been taught the world over? Either it’s so cutting edge that you reading this article makes you ahead of the curve, or there’s something still missing in the story.
We know that it can’t really be considered cutting edge, because it’s supposedly based upon a secretive practice from Tibetan Buddhism which allows you to keep warm in the cold.
So, let’s break down the premises of his method and see if it holds up under critical analysis.
He claims that we can gain control of our autonomous nervous system. It’s the automatic part of your body, the white blood cells, all the valves in your blood stream, your organs, your sphincters, your hormone and insulin balance, etc. We might be driving, but it’s our autonomous system that’s doing most of the work. The method takes control by stimulating a change in gas exchange in the lungs. Students of yoga will be familiar with Pranayama, and I think Holotropic breathing uses a similar premise. So changing the gas exchange rates will affect the amount of absorption and exchange of oxygen and CO2.
Okay, so what did the scientific paper say on whether his claims were supported or not?
Voluntary activation of the sympathetic nervous system and attenuation of the innate immune response in humans
Matthijs Koxa,b,c,1,Lucas T. van Eijka,c,Jelle Zwaaga,c,Joanne van den Wildenberga,c,Fred C. G. J. Sweepd,Johannes G. van der Hoevena,c, and Peter Pickkersa,c
Significance
Hitherto, both the autonomic nervous system and innate immune system were regarded as systems that cannot be voluntarily influenced. The present study demonstrates that, through practicing techniques learned in a short-term training program, the sympathetic nervous system and immune system can indeed be voluntarily influenced. 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. 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.
Summarizing the abstract to more readable information:
They tested whether the claims were true by injecting 24 people with E.coli endotoxin which is not a fun thing to have done to you. Half of them practiced the techniques they learned and the others hoped for the best (but acted as the all-important control group to measure against). When the Wim Hof Iceman technique-using group was measured after, their blood was less acidic, lower in oxygen and had higher epinephrine concentration. Epinephrine is more or less adrenaline, and is also abundant when we are experiencing fight or flight responses. This seemed to be linked to a reduced inflammation response, and flu-like symptoms.
You’re probably curious about how the method is performed, but keep reading to find out why I don’t think everyone should rush to try this just because it’s possible.
The Wim Hof Method *Revealed* – How to Consciously Control Your Immune System
Okay, maybe it’s ancient and guarded because you could hurt yourself. If it were really good for everyone like Wim Hof suggests, then those benevolent Buddhists would’ve shared it with everyone after this many thousands of years right?
I am not a doctor, but I am a biologist so I have a good understanding of living beings. Nevertheless, the following is not to be used as medical advice (because if you believe everything you read on the internet… well, don’t).
Most importantly: If you have hypertension, blood pressure or breathing problems you should check with your doctor before practicing this. It might be good exercise to strengthen against those weaknesses, but also a demographic at the greatest risk of backfire.
If you try to practise this be careful and aware of yourself – don’t strain your body or your lungs. It’s good to be gentle yet tough with oneself, but never angry. Hyperventilation comes with it’s own risks. Falling down or blacking out is surely over-doing it. The long term effects of gas concentration changes in your blood is unknown. It could be harmless exercise or it could be stressful to your cells or organs. Our body is a finely tuned biomechanical system and pushing pH and oxygen levels beyond normal parameters means there’s a counter swing somewhere else to restore that balance.
Proceed with caution and take care of yourself. Do not do it alone, be aware that altered consciousness can linger and might affect operating in dangerous situations (like driving). Perhaps the most challenging aspect of these practices, is that they were linked to a spiritual path for a reason. The emotions and sensations that you will be digging up from your body & subconscious can be very challenging. It would be helpful to see a psychotherapist if you have grief or mental health issues arising.
But, with the right support network, diving into your subconscious to heal whatever is holding you back, I think that’s incredible. It is the right of every living being to exist free of fear and pain, by learning to deal with your negatives, they are all transformed into positives, and the true, default state of happiness shines through.
In the video on the page linked through the card above Wim Hof says at 11:30 “The real health is happiness” And while that’s a beautiful blanket statement, he’s more specifically referring to how his method can help you get rid of stress hormones. So, rather than be reactive to the stressors in our environment, we can actively choose to not feel attacked. We live in a society of abundance and peace. There is no need for the levels of stress that we maintain, and there appear to be real, physical benefits from letting it go.
Another review: http://thoughtbrick.com/wim-hof-method/wim-hof-method-review-by-a-yoga-teacher/
Okay, if you have made it this far through the article then I’ll share a bonus thought with you. If this superhuman feat came from Tibetan Buddhism, what other things might we be able to do with our body? Here’s the definitive list of Superhero characters who are Tibetan Buddhists for you to scour through in search of your own revolutionary method.
