Welcome to Cloud9 – As much dopamine as cocaine

Welcome to Cloud9 Ticino, a boutique accommodation in Valle di Muggio, not far from the border to Italy, that I have already visited twice and to which I go back to relax and…feel like cocaine. What do I mean by that?

If you are familiar with biohacking – also known as human enhancement – you know that it involves some changes to the body or lifestyle that can improve your health and well-being. There are some zero cost tricks, or habits, that don’t involve any medicine and can make you feel great.

If you want your body to release as much dopamine as if you just had some cocaine, here is what to do. Use light, movement, and cold.

Light

Get up in the morning and, ideally in the first hour of your day, get exposed to natural light. It doesn’t matter if it’s cloudy. The important thing is that light hits your retina and starts to release hormones. Light is also closely linked to the production of melatonin, which in turns stimulates sleep. If it’s sunny, 10 to 15 minutes will be enough. If the weather is bad or grey, stay at least 20/25 minutes.

Movement

Having a walk is a good start, but exercise has even a better effect on dopamine production, especially when paired with light exposure and cold therapy. So move actively or vigorously for about 20/30 minutes.

Cold

Yes, it is a bit of a fashion too, but cold therapy really has an amazing effect on the human body, it helps to recover, reduce inflammation, manage stress, strengthen your immune system and much more – look for example at Dr.Soeberg’s interview with Andrew Hubermann, where she explains the recent research about it.

Have a cold shower, swim in a winter lake (only if you are trained and ready for it!), do an ice bath. The effect is immediate and long lasting.

Welcome to Cloud9

Last weekend I went to Welcome to Cloud9 and did athe three above-mentioned things, two days. This immaculate place is immersed in nature and privacy, is three hours aways from Zurich but has double amount of sun, and finally has an outdoor shower in a little bamboo garden which is my secret trick for good mood and well being. Yes, in January, in Switzerland, I was sunbathing and having a cold shower outdoor. Perfection!

If you want to try some “natural cocaine” too, go to the Welcome to Cloud9 website and ask for more information.