Plenty Of Evidence
All information thanks to Dr Rhonda Patrick, please check her out, links throughout.
- Cold exposure improves mood and may be useful in treating depression. Study
- Consistent and profound responses to cold exposure is a robust release of norepinephrine into the bloodstream and brain. Study
- Norepinephrine depletion causes depression. Study
- Short-term exposure to cold – as little as 20 seconds to 2 minutes – is enough duration to release norepinephrine. Study
- Norepinephrine has profound effects on pain, metabolism, and inflammation – the latter of which is associated with mood due to its influence on serotonin release. Study
- Inflammation plays a key role in disease and the ageing process. Study
- Whole-body cryotherapy reduces pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. Study
- Inflammatory molecules may contribute to depression and anxiety by inhibiting the release of serotonin. Study
- Having a large number of healthy, inactive immune cells is associated with longevity. Study
- Long-term cold-water immersion increases immune cells numbers. Study
- Cold-water immersion in a small sample of men increased metabolic rate by as much as 350%. Study
- Whole-body cryotherapy done one hour after plyometric exercise showed improvements in a variety of performance measures up to 72 hours after the treatment and reduced pain measures during the next workout. Study
- The first hour after exercise is an important anabolic window and may influence the effectiveness of cold exposure. Study
- Elite runners who engaged in whole-body cryotherapy post-exercise had a 20% increase in speed and power up to two days later, likely due to a decrease in inflammation and an increase in anti-inflammatory factors. Study
- Elite runners who engaged in whole-body cryotherapy experienced enhanced muscle recovery due to decreased pro-inflammatory factors and increased anti-inflammatory factors. Study
- Tennis players who engaged in whole-body cryotherapy experienced a decrease in TNF-alpha, an increase in IL-6, and a 4% increase in stroke effectiveness. Study
- Elite cyclists who engaged in cold-water immersion saw performance improvements that were sustained over the training program. Study
