In 3 minutes, the cold air exposure dramatically lowers your skin surface temperature. This activates your autonomic nervous system, which has the important task of regulating the functions of your internal organs such as the heart, stomach and intestines. And, stimulates your body's natural fight-or-flight stress response. During this time, your body initially increases vasoconstriction to rapidly move your blood inwards to protect your internal organs and then significantly increases your blood flow by increasing vasodilation to circulate your blood throughout your body again.
Naturally, It's your body's innate response to adapt by triggering an array of physiological benefits. Therefore, it activates your sympathetic nervous system which instantly releases norepinephrine into your bloodstream and brain thus increasing anti-inflammatory factors. It also releases cold shock proteins in the brain, increases certain types of immune cells, decreases respiratory tract infections, increases mitochondria, increases the activation of very potent genetic antioxidant enzymes (i.e. glutathione) and triggers cold-induced thermogenesis.
Remember, not all stress is bad for you! The difference between a ‘good’ stressor and a ‘bad’ stressor is that at the right dose, you can bounce back from the ‘good’ more resilient than before. Your time in the Cryo Room is short thus the fight-or-flight response is a ‘good’ stress with hormetic benefits for your body. Good stress (also referred to as eustress) can include numerous activities from exercise to fasting, heat stress (e.g. sauna) and cold stress (e.g. Cryotherapy and ice-baths). These small dose ‘stressors’ have been proven to promote good health, energy and longevity. As for Whole Body Cryotherapy in particular, the list of hormetic benefits include improved brain function, sleep quality, immune function, metabolism, antioxidant activity, athletic performance, collagen production and reduced inflammation. Thus, your whole body will thank you for taking care of it with Cryotherapy.
