Cold plunging has become all the rage. Whether in the ocean, rivers, lakes, or your own personal cold plunge bath, enthusiasts claim that the therapy has a host of benefits, both mentally and physically, from reducing anxiety to reducing brain fog and improving focus.
It’s also been touted for improving athletic performance, reducing inflammation and joint pain, improving immunity, and increasing metabolism. But are any of these benefits backed by science?
Shock the Body with Cold Water Plunge
While there’s no defined temperature for what’s considered cold water plunging, anything below 31 degrees Celsius or around 88 degrees Fahrenheit would count, says François Haman, a professor of human performance at the University of Ottawa who has been studying cold water plunging for 20 years.
