Thread by @OmarMKhateeb

Kicking off the first Monday of #2022NewYear with a splash!

I've been doing weekly #wimhoff ice plunges for years along with daily cold showers. Here's why (THREAD)

Back in 2015 I went through a difficult time in life. I was depressed, stressed out, and overall carrying a negative attitude.

I heard about #wimhoff and decided to try it. I started with ice cold showers every morning (still doing it).

Then while in Charlevoix during December I decided to go swim in Lake Michigan. It was 8 degrees outside

It was so painful and uncomfortable, but something changed.

I would equate it close to a religious experience.

Since then I do a plunge at least once a week. Having a background in science and medicine I spent a lot of time researching the benefits.

Fortunately, there's enough studies to back the benefits of the practice (see comments for studies).

The benefits I can personally attest to having that are supported by research are:

- Better sleep
- Mental clarity and sharpness
- Relief of temporary depression

- Increased energy
- Controlled breathing
- Improved mental control
- Lowered stress
- Peaceful mind

If you do cold immersion please share in the comments the benefits you experienced.

References:
- Involvement of Lactate and Pyruvate in the Anti-Inflammatory Effects Exerted by Voluntary Activation of the Sympathetic Nervous System mdpi.com/2218-1989/10/4…

- Voluntary activation of the sympathetic nervous system and attenuation of the innate immune response in humans pnas.org/content/111/20…

- Controlled Hyperventilation After Training May Accelerate Altitude Acclimatization pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25443751/

- Frequent Extreme Cold Exposure and Brown Fat and Cold-Induced Thermogenesis: A Study in a Monozygotic Twin pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25014028/

- The Influence of Concentration/Meditation on Autonomic Nervous System Activity and the Innate Immune Response: A Case Study pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22685240/