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Health

Wim Hof's cold therapy for good health lacks robust evidence

Also known as The Iceman, Wim Hof's claims that his breathing and cold exposure methods will "keep your body and mind in its optimal natural state" lack good scientific evidence

By Carissa Wong

28 June 2023

Wim Hof in icy water at an event to increase awareness of climate change in Hong Kong in 2010

Wim Hof at an event to raise awareness of climate change in Hong Kong in 2010

Kin Cheung/AP Photo/Alamy

There is little good-quality evidence to support Wim Hof’s claims that controlled breathing and cold exposure have widespread health benefits. In the first review into Wim Hof’s Method, researchers found that just a few small studies support his claim that these techniques lower inflammation, with other experiments failing to back up that his methods improve athletic performance.

Also known as The Iceman, Hof claims his so-called three pillars – controlled breathing, cold therapy and “commitment” – can benefit everything from our …

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