What is hormesis?

Hormesis is a term used to describe the beneficial effects of exposure to low levels of stressors. These stressors can be physical, chemical, or biological in nature.

Exposure to these stressors triggers a hormetic response in the body, known as "hormesis" which results in an increase in tolerance to subsequent stressors. This hormetic response is beneficial because it helps the body adapt to and cope with stressors more effectively.

There are many different hormetic stressors, but some of the most well-known and studied ones include:

• Exercise

• Heat shock (sauna or hot baths)

• Cold therapy (ice baths)

• Fasting

Exposure to hormetic stressors has been shown to have a wide range of health benefits, including:

• Increased lifespan

• Improved cognitive function

• Improved cardiovascular function

• Enhanced immune function

• Faster wound healing

How do hormetic stressors work?

When the body is exposed to hormetic stressors, it responds by increasing production of heat shock proteins (HSPs).

HSPs are a class of proteins that play an important role in protecting the body from cellular stress. They do this by helping to repair damaged proteins and by assisting in the folding of new proteins.

In addition to their protective effects, HSPs have also been shown to boost the immune system and increase longevity.

In one study, rats that were exposed to regular hormetic stressors (exercise, heat, cold, and fasting) lived significantly longer than those that were not exposed to any hormetic stressors (1).

Another study found that exposure to hormetic stressors could help reverse age-related declines in cognitive function (2).

So, how can you take advantage of hormesis to improve your health?

There are a few different ways that you can exposure yourself to hormetic stressors:

• Exercise: Regular exercise is one of the best ways to trigger a hormetic response in the body.

• Sauna or hot baths: Saunas and hot baths can also help to trigger a hormetic response.

• Ice baths: Immersing yourself in cold water (around 10-15°C) for 10-15 minutes can also help to stimulate a hormetic response.

• Fasting: Fasting has also been shown to trigger a hormetic response in the body.

Supplements

What supplements can improve the response to hormesis?

• Creatine: Creatine has been shown to help the body adapt to and cope with hormetic stressors.

• Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that can help to protect the body from cellular damage caused by hormetic stressors.

• Ginseng: Ginseng is an herb that has been used for centuries to help the body cope with stress.

• Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb that has been shown to help the body adapt to stress.

• Shilajit: Shilajit is a substance that is found in the Himalayan Mountains. It has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to help the body deal with stress.

In conclusion, hormesis is a term used to describe the beneficial effects of exposure to low levels of stressors. Strategically leveraging hormetic stress can pay dividends in your long term health and physique goals. The key hormetic stressors are exercise, fasting, heat shock (sauna or hot baths), and cold therapy (ice baths). Additionally, supplements such as creatine, vitamin C, ginseng, ashwagandha, and shilajit can help to improve the response to hormesis.

References:

 

1. Rattan, S., et al. hormetic stress and longevity. Mech Ageing Dev, 126(5), 423-429 (2005).

2. Lee, J., et al. hormesis in cognitive function and brain health. Front Aging Neurosci, 7,298 (2015).