Do hot and cold therapies work?

Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken cut through the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing.

In this episode, Chris and Xand dive into body temperature and how it can be challenged. How does the human body regulate its core and skin temperature? Can you change your body temperature from its average value? Should you challenge your body temperature by exposing yourself to hot environments? They explore the biology of body temperature, the impact of cold therapies and look at the claimed benefits of saunas.

Joining them to discuss this is Dr Heather Massey, Associate Professor of extreme environments and physiology at the University of Portsmouth.

If you want to get in touch, you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08000 665 123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken

Guest: Dr Heather Massey

Researcher: Mili Ostojic

Producers: Faye Lyons White and Maia Miller-Lewis

Social Media Producer: Leon Gower

Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar

Editor: Jo Rowntree

Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable

Digital Lead: Richard Berry

Composer: Phoebe McFarlane

Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby

At the BBC:

Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith

Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4