I am someone that friends and family would describe as ‘cold-blooded’ – the type that is very sensitive to cold temperatures, that is, not another meaning… or so I hope. So it is safe to say that stepping into the limited space of -85°C trying cryotherapy was something I was hesitant about.
How could I survive anything below 0 when I can barely manage a measly 12 degrees (C)? With the treatment increasingly used by biohackers and celebrities alike, there was only one way to find out. Could I benefit from the proposed health benefits of this form of cold therapy?
Tailored and fitted for my treatment at REMEDI London in a unique outfit of slippers with long socks, shorts, sports bra, headband and mask and gloves, I stepped inside…
Cryotherapy at a glance
🧘Health hack reviewed: Cryotherapy
⭐ Celebrities who have tried it: Jennifer Aniston, Will Smith, Daniel Craig, Tim Gray (leading British biohacker)
⏰ Treatment time: 3 minutes
💸Price: 80 pounds
✅ Experienced professionals: Relaxed muscles, calmer mind, awake and fresh (including skin)
❌Disadvantages experienced: Few downsides, but a lack of real excitement or a 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 intensely cold temperatures for about three minutes. It is claimed to accelerate the release of endorphins, activate the immune system, detoxify cells and activate healing processes, which has positive benefits for the 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 particularly beneficial.
Cryotherapy can be used by anyone from elite athletes to those who simply want to optimize their health.
In REMEDI, he advises that while you should experience benefits from just one session, it is most effective when incorporated into your life on a regular basis.
My thoughts
With the timer set for three minutes, I closed the door to the cryotherapy chamber behind me and accepted that there was no turning back now (okay, you’re not locked in there and you can open the door at any time, but I was here from work!).
The woman overseeing my treatment asked me if I wanted to play a song during the treatment and I found myself choosing “Murder on the Dance Floor” by Sophie Ellis-Bextor. When I watched Saltburn recently (for those who know the link) it felt a little ominous.
Any “dancing” I did was definitely in the form of shaking. But I was actually fine. It was very cold, but not as unbearable as I imagined. At -85 degrees it might have something to do with it being a dry cold, not wet, which would be much more extreme all around. I took off my face mask for a moment to see what it was like to breathe without it and watched a cloud of cold air escape me.
As time went on I got noticeably colder and colder, more and more aware of the timer counting down. But there was still no need for I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! moment. Maybe I can handle the cold more than I think, or my constant shivering has prepared me for this experience, depending on which way you look at it.
Towards the end, real snow started falling inside the chamber, which was a fun distraction, but not enough to make me want to stay inside a second longer when the clock finally hit 0.
When I got out, I definitely felt less anxious than when I came in, and I was somewhat more grounded and composed. My muscles felt more relaxed, my mind was calmer and clearer, and I was awake and refreshed (noticing this in my skin too), a welcome treat after a while of struggling with low energy bursts.
When I got out, I definitely felt less anxious than when I came in, and I was somewhat more grounded and composed.
Although in some ways, due to the large increase, a small part of me felt slightly overwhelmed. I expected it to be more exhausting (although this may be the case with places that do lower temperature treatments), I thought I might have a more extreme feeling of euphoria afterwards.
My sleep was deeper than usual that night (like bad sleep), but after trying two other wellness treatments later that day, it’s hard to tell what it was. But with cryotherapy being my favorite of the day, my guess is that it definitely played a role.
Experienced professionals
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Mind calmer and clearer
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More grounded and balanced
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Relaxed muscles
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Awakened and refreshed, including my skin
Disadvantages experienced
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No sense of euphoria or excitement, although this may depend on temperatures or frequency
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The effects on the skin did not last long
Would I do it again?
Yes. I understand why people get addicted and the benefits would be something you can build with more use that the rating takes into account. And though, make no mistake, it was very cold (and I can’t believe I’m saying this), I might want to try it at a lower temperature next time to see if it might add that missing touch in terms of how I felt afterwards. Although I might try to stay warm a little longer…
This review is based on personal experience and is not a substitute for professional medical or health advice.