Cold Exposure for Mental Health

Key Takeaways

• Cold exposure practices include ice baths, cold plunges, and cryotherapy.
• The mental health benefits of cold exposure are gaining popularity, with anecdotal evidence from various influencers.
• Studies on cold exposure are limited, with a need for more rigorous randomized control trials.
• Cold exposure activates the sympathetic nervous system, releasing norepinephrine and other hormones.
• Cultural practices in Nordic countries incorporate cold exposure into daily life, contrasting with individual practices in the U.S.
• Cold exposure may help improve mental clarity and reduce symptoms of trauma.
• The physiological response to cold includes vasoconstriction, increased heart rate, and altered breathing patterns.