I am someone that friends and family would describe as ‘cold-blooded’ – the type that is very sensitive to cold temperatures, meaning no the other meaning… or so i hope. So it’s safe to say that entering a limited space of -85°To try cryotherapy was something I was hesitant about.
How can I survive in anything below 0 when I can barely handle a modest 12 degrees (C)? Well, with the treatment increasingly used by biohackers and celebrities, there was only one way to find out. Can I also reap the proposed health benefits of this form of cold therapy?
Suited up and dressed for my treatment at REMEDI London in a unique outfit of slippers with long socks, shorts, a sports bra top, a headband and face mask and gloves, I entered the…
Cryotherapy at a glance
🧘Health hack reviewed: Cryotherapy
⭐ Celebrities who have tried it: Jennifer Aniston, Will Smith, Daniel Craig, Tim Gray (UK’s leading biohacker)
⏰ Treatment time: 3 min
💸Price: 80 pounds
✅Goods with experience: Relaxed muscles, calmer mind, alert and refreshed (including skin)
❌Works with experience: A little against it, but the lack of real excitement or drastically elevated mood
📝Rating: 4/5
What is cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is a treatment that exposes the body, and in this case, the whole body, to intense cold temperatures for about three minutes. This is claimed to stimulate the release of endorphins, activate the immune system, detoxify cells and activate healing processes, with positive benefits for both mind and body. Studies also suggest that a single session can burn up to 800 calories.
People with migraines, fatigue, inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis and arthritis, concentration problems, chronic pain, mental health problems, muscle pain and inflammation, or weak skin, joints and hair may find it especially helpful.
Anyone from elite athletes to those who simply want to optimize their health can use cryotherapy.
At REMEDI, they advise that while you should notice benefits from just one session, it’s most effective when incorporated into your life regularly.
My thoughts
With the timer set to three minutes, I closed the door on myself to the cryotherapy room and accepted that there was no turning back now (well, you’re not locked in there and you can open the door at any moment, but I was here on a job to do!).
I was asked by the woman overseeing my treatment if I wanted a song to be played during the treatment and found myself choosing “Murder on the Dancefloor” by Sophie Ellis-Bextor. This felt a bit off to bursting around me in the standing room, having recently seen Saltburn (for those who know the reference).
However, any ‘dancing’ I did was definitely in the form of vibration. But I was actually fine. It was very cold, but not as unbearable as I had imagined. At -85 degrees, this may have something to do with what is a dry cold, not wet, which would have been much more extreme all the time. I took the face mask off for a moment to see what breathing was like without it and watched as a cloud of cold air escaped me.
As time passed, I felt noticeably colder and colder, becoming more aware of the countdown timer. But there was still no need for an I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! moment. Maybe I can handle the cold better than I think, or maybe my constant shivering prepared me for this experience, depending on how you look at it.
Towards the end, real snow started falling inside the room, which was a fun distraction, but not enough to make me want to stay inside a second longer when the clock finally hit 0.
Leaving, I definitely felt less anxious than walking in, and somewhat more grounded and balanced. My muscles felt more relaxed, my mind was calmer and clearer and I was awake and refreshed (I noticed it in my skin too), a welcome treat after dealing with periods of low energy for a while .
Leaving, I definitely felt less anxious than walking in, and somewhat more grounded and balanced.
Although, somehow, because of the huge lift, a small part of me felt a little subdued. As I expected it to be more exhausting (although this may be the case for places that do the treatment at lower temperatures), I thought I might have a more extreme feeling of euphoria afterwards.
My sleep felt deeper than usual that night (like a bad sleep), but after trying two other wellness treatments later that day, it’s hard to pinpoint what that was about. But since cryotherapy is my favorite of the day, I suppose it certainly played a role.
Experienced Pro
-
Calmer and clearer mind
-
More grounded and balanced
-
Relaxed muscles
-
Bright and refreshed, including my skin
Cons with experience
-
No feeling of euphoria or excitement, although it may depend on temperatures or frequency
-
The skin benefits didn’t last long
Would I do it again?
Yes. I can see why people get addicted and how the benefits would be something you could build with more use, which the rating takes into account. And while, don’t get me wrong, it was LOT cold (and I can’t believe I’m saying this), maybe I’d like to try it at a cooler temperature next time to see if it can add that missing touch in terms of how I felt afterwards . Although I’ll probably try to stay warm for a little while longer…
This review is based on personal experience and is not a substitute for professional medical or health advice.