A recent episode of Huberman Lab Essentials spotlighted palm cooling as a powerful way to enhance performance and recovery. While most people focus on sleep, hydration, and nutrition, managing body temperature may be just as important — if not more.
“When the body overheats, that’s often the real limiter — not the muscles themselves,” Huberman explained in his discussion of temperature and performance.
Cooling as a Performance Tool
As we push our limits in sport or work, rising core temperature is often the silent force that cuts performance short. Cooling the body helps delay fatigue, maintain focus, and speed up recovery. In some cases, endurance or strength output can nearly double simply by keeping heat in check.
Why the Palm?
Research from Standford and beyond shows that the palms, soles, and face act as the body’s built-in radiators. These areas contain specialized blood vessels called arteriovenous anastomoses (AVAs), which rapidly exchange heat. Applying the right amount of cooling here reduces core temperature more effectively than ice baths or cold towels.
Unlike ice baths that trigger vasoconstriction and limit blood flow, palm cooling works with the body’s natural design.
Science That Stands Out
- Endurance: Palm cooling extended exercise capacity in hot conditions by almost 50%.
- Strength: Athletes boosted training volume by over 40% and saw massive gains in pull-up performance when cooling between sets.
- Field Use: NFL players, firefighters, and others in extreme conditions use palm cooling to recover faster and perform better.
Beyond the Gym
Palm cooling isn’t just for athletes. Clinical studies suggest it can significantly ease menopausal hot flashes. Outdoor workers, first responders, and anyone exposed to heat stress can benefit, too.
The Gap in Early Devices
First-generation devices like CoolMitt and Menopod proved the science, but they weren’t designed for everyday use. Some required tethered systems, others cooled areas less effective than the palms. Accessibility was the missing piece.
Enter Cryomedics’ cryo
Cryomedics designed cryo to take this proven science out of the lab and put it directly in people’s hands:
- Compact, battery-powered, and portable
- Cooling modes at 12°C, 14°C, and 16°C, plus warming options for recovery
- 80-175 minutes of use per charge
- Made for athletes, women managing hot flashes, outdoor workers, and anyone dealing with heat or stress
The Bottom Line
Palm cooling has shifted from research breakthrough to real-world solution. With cryo, the same physiological benefits highlighted in academic studies and Huberman’s podcast are now available in a device that fits in your pocket.
Performance, recovery, and relief from heat stress are finally accessible to everyone — right in the palm of your hand.
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