The results showed that the WIM HOF METHOD can be safely applied in patients with axial spondyloarthritis, which is a prototypic chronic inflammatory condition. The study primarily examined the safety of the Wim Hof Method for this group of patients, but also looked at changes in inflammatory markers and disease activity and quality of life reported by patients. This proof-of-concept study was based on previous research, showing how healthy individuals were able to voluntarily influence the physiological stress response to reduce inflammation after training Wim Hof Method. Baeten - Amsterdam Medical CentreĪbstract: The main objective of this article is to evaluate whether the Wim Hof Method could modulate innate immune responses in patients with axial spondylitis, which is a chronic rheumatic inflammation of the spine.
They also suggest the compelling possibility that the Wim Hof Method may allow practitioners to develop a higher level of control over key components of the autonomic system, with implications for lifestyle interventions that could improve multiple clinical syndromes.Ģ019 - "Battling Arthritis" - An add-on training program involving breathing exercises, cold exposure, and meditation attenuates inflammation and disease activity in axial spondyloarthritis - A proof of concept trial, authors: G. The results provide convincing evidence of the primacy of the brain (CNS) rather than the body (peripheral mechanisms) in mediating the responses of the Iceman to cold exposure. Summary: In this article, a brain imaging study was conducted to measure the relative contributions of the brain and the peripheral nervous system that enable the Iceman to withstand the cold using his Wim Hof techniques. Diwadkar - Wayne State University School of Medicine Thus, it appears that g-Tummo, like breathing during cold exposure, may cause additional heat production.Ģ018 - "Brain over body"-A study on the willful regulation of autonomic function during cold exposure", authors: O. In addition, the body heat generated by both brothers was significantly higher than the average person. However, Wim's internal temperature decreased less than his brother's and his subjective response to cold temperature was more positive. The results showed no significant difference in BAT or CIT between the two subjects. Both used a breathing technique similar to g-Tummo. The experiment compared Wim Hof, which is accustomed to exposure to extreme cold, to its monozygote twin brother who is not. van Marken-Lichtenbeld - Maastricht University Medical CenterĪbstract: This study tested the effects of a lifestyle with frequent exposure to extreme cold on brown adipose tissue (BAT) and cold-induced thermogenesis (CIT). " Frequent Extreme Cold Exposure and Brown Fat and Cold-Induced Thermogenesis: A Study in a MonozygoticTwin", authors: J. In conclusion, the trained group was able to voluntarily activate their sympathetic nervous system. Compared to a control group that was not trained in the Wim Hof method, trained participants showed fewer influenza-like symptoms, lower levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and increased plasma epinephrine levels. A group of twelve people were trained in the Wim Hof method before undergoing an experiment to induce inflammation, normally resulting in flu-like symptoms. Summary: In this article, the effects of the Wim Hof method on the autonomic nervous system and the innate immune response are evaluated. Pickkers et al - Radboud University Medical Center (published in PNAS) Here, Wim Hof proved that it was able to influence its autonomic nervous system and lower inflammation.Ģ014 - "Voluntary activation of the sympathetic nervous system and attenuation of the innate immune response in humans",authors: M. This response is characterized by an activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which seems to attenuate the innate immune system.
The results showed how the techniques of the Wim Hof method seemed to evoke a controlled response to stress. In addition, an endotoxin experiment was conducted to study Wim's innate immune response in vivo. Its inflammatory response was measured during an 80-minute immersion in whole body ice and by practicing the concentration technique of Wim Hof. Pickkers et al - Radboud University Medical CenterĪbstract: This case study was conducted after Wim Hof stated that it could influence the autonomic nervous system and thus the innate immune response. 2012 - "The Influence of Concentration/Meditation on Autonomic Nervous SystemActivity and the Innate Immune Response: A Case Study", authors: M.