Cold plunge vs. Cryotherapy
Biohackers are constantly seeking out the best practices to feel and perform better. We'll go to almost any length to improve our well-being. Sure enough, many of us who have tried whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) have also tried cold water immersion therapy (CWI aka the cold plunge). So what is the better use of our time, effort, and money?
Dr. Erich Hohenauer led a study comparing the two at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland and found that both treatments equally helped participants to recover more quickly from athletic activity. In his study of 19 men, there was a significant immediate physiological difference in oxygen levels and skin temperature but within hours there was no difference either physiologically or sensationally leading him to believe that they are equal.
But there was also another scientific study claiming that cold water immersion therapy benefits far outweigh cryotherapy which is something we all suspected from experience.
“In summary, this study demonstrates that an ecologically valid CWI protocol decreases both femoral artery and cutaneous blood flow and muscle temperature to a greater extent compared with a typical WBC protocol after endurance exercise. CWI may therefore be a more effective cooling modality due, in part, to the hydrostatic pressure of water and the greater ability of water to conduct heat.”
Science and feelings aren't our only guiding force though, money and time commitment also come into play. Two minutes in the cold plunge is all you need to be rewarded with all of the physiological benefits and the set time for cryotherapy is three minutes. We often like to stay in the plunge for at least 5 minutes to train our mental strength but it's not necessary.
The minimum $69/month membership at Evolve Human Optimization Labs includes four visits and is comparable to the price of one cryotherapy session. The cold water feels like it penetrates more deeply, you can dunk your head in it to restore a healthy complexion, and stay longer if you really love to reprogram your mind.
The ice bath physiologically, mentally, and emotionally leads the way. It is true that the things that heal us the most push us further out of our comfort zones.
