Dr. Vaibhav Diwadkar: Enhancing resilience under stress

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Vaibhav Diwadkar, professor of psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences at Wayne State University. Dr. Diwadkar worked directly with Wim Hof, the world-famous figure known for enduring extreme cold and pushing human limits. His research explored how the Wim Hof Method—combining breathwork, cold exposure, and focused mental training—impacts the brain. The findings show it improves emotional regulation, lowers anxiety, and reshapes how the brain responds to stress. This effect is known as a hormetic response: a controlled dose of stress that builds resilience over time. For first responders, this method offers a practical way to train mental toughness and stay calm under pressure. It’s like a safe microdose of adversity that prepares the mind and body to stay focused when it matters most.

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