I am someone that friends and family would describe as ‘cold-blooded’ – the type that is very sensitive to cold temperatures, i.e. not the other meaning…at least I hope so. So it’s safe to say that if you step into a confined space of -85°C Trying cryotherapy was something I was hesitant about.
How could I survive in anything below 0 when I can barely handle a modest 12 degrees (Celsius)? With the treatment increasingly being used by biohackers and celebrities, there was only one way to find out. Could I also benefit from the suggested health benefits of this form of cold therapy?
Suitable and booted for my treatment at REMEDI London in a unique outfit of slippers with long socks, shorts, a sports bra top, a headband, a face mask and gloves, I stepped in…
Cryotherapy at a glance
🧘Health Hack Reviewed: Cryotherapy
⭐Celebrities who tried it: Jennifer Aniston, Will Smith, Daniel Craig, Tim Gray (Britain’s biggest biohacker)
⏰ Time of treatment: 3 minutes
💸Price: £80
✅Experience pros: Relaxed muscles, calmer mind, awake and refreshed (including skin)
❌Experienced disadvantages: Few downsides, but lack of real excitement or drastically improved mood
📝Rating: 4 / 5
What is cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is a treatment in which the body, and in this case the entire body, is exposed to intensely cold temperatures for about three minutes. This is said to stimulate the release of endorphins, activate the immune system, detoxify cells and activate healing processes, with positive benefits for both body and mind. 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 particularly helpful.
Anyone from elite athletes to those who simply want to optimize their health can use cryotherapy.
At REMEDI they advise that although you should notice benefits from just one session, it is most effective if incorporated regularly into your life.
My thoughts
With the timer set for three minutes, I closed the door on myself in the cryotherapy chamber and accepted that there was now no going back (well, you’re not locked in there and can open the door at any time, but I was here with a job to do!).
The woman who supervised my treatment asked me if I wanted to hear a song during the treatment, and I chose ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ by Sophie Ellis-Bextor. This felt a bit sinister around me in the standing booth, having recently seen Saltburn (for those who know the reference).
Any “dancing” I did was definitely in the form of shivers. But actually I was okay. It was very cold, but not as unbearable as I had imagined. At -85 degrees this may have something to do with the fact that it is a dry cold, not wet, which would have been much more extreme overall. I briefly removed my face mask 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, and became more and more aware of the timer counting down. But there was still no need for an I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! moment. Maybe I can tolerate the cold better than I think, or maybe my constant shivering has prepared me for this experience, depending on how you look at it.
Towards the end, real snow started falling in the room, which was a nice distraction, but not enough to make me want to stay in a second longer when the clock finally hit 0.
Stepping out of it definitely left me feeling less anxious than when I stepped in, and a little more grounded and balanced. My muscles felt more relaxed, my mind was calmer and clearer and I was awake and refreshed (I noticed this in my skin too), a welcome change after suffering from periods of low energy for a while.
Stepping out of it definitely left me feeling less anxious than when I stepped in, and a little more grounded and balanced.
Although, in some ways, because of the big build-up, a little part of me felt a little disappointed. Because I expected it to be harder (although this may be the case in places where the treatment takes place at lower temperatures), I thought I would experience a more extreme feeling of euphoria afterwards.
My sleep felt deeper than normal that night (as a bad sleeper), but after trying two other spa treatments later that day, it’s hard to pinpoint why this was. But since cryotherapy was my favorite of the day, I think it definitely played a role.
Experience positives
-
Mind calmer and clearer
-
More grounded and balanced
-
Relaxed muscles
-
Awake and refreshed, including my skin
Experiencing disadvantages
-
No feeling of euphoria or excitement, although this may depend on temperature or frequency
-
The skin benefits did not last long
Would I do it again?
Yes. I understand why people get addicted, and how the benefits are something you can build up through more use, which the rating takes into account. And although, don’t get me wrong, it was terribly cold (and I can’t believe I’m saying this), I’d probably want to try it at a colder temperature next time to see if it could add that missing touch in terms of how I felt afterwards. But maybe I’ll try to stay warm for a while longer…
This review is based on personal experiences and is not a substitute for professional medical or health advice.