Cryogenic Chamber Therapy / Cold Adaptation
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Re: Cryogenic Chamber Therapy
I showered daily with cold water and was a bit jumping back and forth in the shower cause of the cold water, but it seems standing totally still and just getting water in the neck area is the least painful, instead of moving in and out of the water stream the whole time. At least it was just okay for me and the water temperature is about 15° C at the moment.
I showered daily with cold water and was a bit jumping back and forth in the shower cause of the cold water, but it seems standing totally still and just getting water in the neck area is the least painful, instead of moving in and out of the water stream the whole time. At least it was just okay for me and the water temperature is about 15° C at the moment.
mocachapeau
Dagobah Resident
Re: Cryogenic Chamber Therapy
Darn!
No short cuts, of course.
But I can see how that makes sense. I can stand outside in -20 without proper winter attire longer, and more comfortably, than I can stand under my shower at 22C. Or so it seems.
And once again, it's time for the shower. This will be my 5th day in a row.
Prodigal Son said:
Darn!
No short cuts, of course.
But I can see how that makes sense. I can stand outside in -20 without proper winter attire longer, and more comfortably, than I can stand under my shower at 22C. Or so it seems.
And once again, it's time for the shower. This will be my 5th day in a row.
Re: Cryogenic Chamber Therapy
I also just let the water run off my neck initially, until I get too used it it. Then I start to slowly rotate under the shower head like a pig on a spitt ;) I also put my armpit up to the shower stream, since there's little fat there and lots of blood vessels running through that area. That can get me shivering faster than normal!
Gawan said:
I also just let the water run off my neck initially, until I get too used it it. Then I start to slowly rotate under the shower head like a pig on a spitt ;) I also put my armpit up to the shower stream, since there's little fat there and lots of blood vessels running through that area. That can get me shivering faster than normal!
mocachapeau
Dagobah Resident
Re: Cryogenic Chamber Therapy
I spend about 15 to 20 minutes in there, and much of the time I do what you describe. But I try to move around to make sure the water is reaching as much of my body as possible instead of letting it run too long over just one area.
One of the most important dance moves I discovered is to make sure I get lots of water contact in my armpits and down the sides of my torso. When in the cold we all have a tendency to hold our arms against our bodies which retains heat under the arms. So I lift up my arms, one after the other, and get some cold water under there. Every time I do this I get a nasty jolt of cold, even if I have gotten used to the temperature in other areas of the body.
After a few more days of this agony I will try graduating to torture by lying in the tub. That will get the water under there nicely, I think. And probably speed up the process a bit.
Note: whitecoast posted about armpits while I was writing this.
Gawan said:
I spend about 15 to 20 minutes in there, and much of the time I do what you describe. But I try to move around to make sure the water is reaching as much of my body as possible instead of letting it run too long over just one area.
One of the most important dance moves I discovered is to make sure I get lots of water contact in my armpits and down the sides of my torso. When in the cold we all have a tendency to hold our arms against our bodies which retains heat under the arms. So I lift up my arms, one after the other, and get some cold water under there. Every time I do this I get a nasty jolt of cold, even if I have gotten used to the temperature in other areas of the body.
After a few more days of this agony I will try graduating to torture by lying in the tub. That will get the water under there nicely, I think. And probably speed up the process a bit.
Note: whitecoast posted about armpits while I was writing this.
s-kur
Jedi Council Member
Re: Cryogenic Chamber Therapy
Yesterday i started the cold protocol...I decided to do it with cold baths.The shower is really uncomfortale because of streams of cold water beaten my body, my breathing becomes wild and deeply)
I gather cold water in a bathtub (10-12 C) and slowly plunge into it. Water covers all my body except knees and the head. There was feelings similar hyperventilation's effect on the brain during 1 sec. two times.
After~3-4 minutes the feelings in the feets becomes most painful and I took them out from water. The skin slightly lower than a thorax reddened. On the fifth minute of experiment I started shivering...and to giggle :D I also put my arms up for watering armpits because i feel hot there) It was a excellent feeling that i did it! Yeah, the cold water was my nightmare!
~6 minutes after immersion in water I sit down in the bath and started watering the head, watering neck and back. It seemed that between hot and cold water there are no differences, so I got used. After that i lie down in bath again, it was more easy than in the beginning. After bathtub acceptance I put on a terry dressing gown and strongly shivered within half an hour. Today there will be a round 2
Yesterday i started the cold protocol...I decided to do it with cold baths.The shower is really uncomfortale because of streams of cold water beaten my body, my breathing becomes wild and deeply)
I gather cold water in a bathtub (10-12 C) and slowly plunge into it. Water covers all my body except knees and the head. There was feelings similar hyperventilation's effect on the brain during 1 sec. two times.
After~3-4 minutes the feelings in the feets becomes most painful and I took them out from water. The skin slightly lower than a thorax reddened. On the fifth minute of experiment I started shivering...and to giggle :D I also put my arms up for watering armpits because i feel hot there) It was a excellent feeling that i did it! Yeah, the cold water was my nightmare!
~6 minutes after immersion in water I sit down in the bath and started watering the head, watering neck and back. It seemed that between hot and cold water there are no differences, so I got used. After that i lie down in bath again, it was more easy than in the beginning. After bathtub acceptance I put on a terry dressing gown and strongly shivered within half an hour. Today there will be a round 2
Re: Cryogenic Chamber Therapy
I'm currently on day 5 of taking cold showers. I'm probably pointing out the obvious but I found that turning the shower to "Low" or "Eco" will let the water get a LOT colder than turning it down to 0 on a high power flow. My preferred method is to get in at a warm temperature then shut the sliding doors behind me and turn it right down so I can't just jump back out again. I tend to give myself a good rinse then stand aside slightly to do the soaping up then diving back under to rinse off.
Gandalf already posted a link for a good wee shower thermometer but I'll put it up again for Ebay UK:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/0-69-C-Temperature-Alert-Function-Waterproof-Digital-Shower-Thermometer-/171225231226?pt=UK_Bathroom_Mats_Rugs&hash=item27ddd1af7a
Also here is an interesting post from the Tempering thread:
http://cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php/topic,2863.0.html
I'm currently on day 5 of taking cold showers. I'm probably pointing out the obvious but I found that turning the shower to "Low" or "Eco" will let the water get a LOT colder than turning it down to 0 on a high power flow. My preferred method is to get in at a warm temperature then shut the sliding doors behind me and turn it right down so I can't just jump back out again. I tend to give myself a good rinse then stand aside slightly to do the soaping up then diving back under to rinse off.
Gandalf already posted a link for a good wee shower thermometer but I'll put it up again for Ebay UK:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/0-69-C-Temperature-Alert-Function-Waterproof-Digital-Shower-Thermometer-/171225231226?pt=UK_Bathroom_Mats_Rugs&hash=item27ddd1af7a
Also here is an interesting post from the Tempering thread:
http://cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php/topic,2863.0.html
Ursus said:
Re: Cryogenic Chamber Therapy
This is an interesting RT vid about how to survive the cold.
_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbNphmqpj0c
Here is the full story:
_http://on.rt.com/yf5pfy
I also watched a story about an older woman who was so cold adapted by sleeping outdoors that she only wore a dress during winter whereas everyone else wore thick coats. Doctors examined her and she appeared to be very healthy.
Here is her story, if it is the same lady in question:
This is an interesting RT vid about how to survive the cold.
_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbNphmqpj0c
Here is the full story:
_http://on.rt.com/yf5pfy
I also watched a story about an older woman who was so cold adapted by sleeping outdoors that she only wore a dress during winter whereas everyone else wore thick coats. Doctors examined her and she appeared to be very healthy.
Here is her story, if it is the same lady in question:
_http://english.pravda.ru/society/stories/29-02-2008/104302-elderly_woman-0/
Thor
Jedi Council Member
Re: Cryogenic Chamber Therapy
FWIW, I think the reason might be that water is a much better heat conductor than air. Therefore, being submerged in cold water will allow much more heat to be exchanged with the environment than if you're surrounded by air.
In my experience there's also a huge difference between taking a cold bath and taking a cold shower. This also makes sense as the heat exchange is lower in the shower as the water your body is in contact with is then in contact with air and the heat transfer is interrupted, compared to if you're fully submerged in water.
Prodigal Son said:
FWIW, I think the reason might be that water is a much better heat conductor than air. Therefore, being submerged in cold water will allow much more heat to be exchanged with the environment than if you're surrounded by air.
In my experience there's also a huge difference between taking a cold bath and taking a cold shower. This also makes sense as the heat exchange is lower in the shower as the water your body is in contact with is then in contact with air and the heat transfer is interrupted, compared to if you're fully submerged in water.
Re: Cryogenic Chamber Therapy
That's true. On the flip side, passive air exposure is much easier to maintain over hours than being in water. That is why even just wearing less clothes and fewer sheets in bed also confers benefits. I'm currently experimenting with both cold baths and lowering the ambient house temperature while eschewing layers at home. :)
That's true. On the flip side, passive air exposure is much easier to maintain over hours than being in water. That is why even just wearing less clothes and fewer sheets in bed also confers benefits. I'm currently experimenting with both cold baths and lowering the ambient house temperature while eschewing layers at home. :)
lilies
The Living Force
Re: Cryogenic Chamber Therapy
From the Dutch Iceman video:
"A scientific breakthrough..Proof that our autonomous immune system can be mentally manipulated.. Something that until now was thought impossible.."
I wonder, how much else in our bodies can be mentally manipulated that our esteemed "scientists of the new formation" think is impossible.
From the Dutch Iceman video:
"A scientific breakthrough..Proof that our autonomous immune system can be mentally manipulated.. Something that until now was thought impossible.."
I wonder, how much else in our bodies can be mentally manipulated that our esteemed "scientists of the new formation" think is impossible.
Re: Cryogenic Chamber Therapy
WARNING: If you try this at home, do it gradually!
I wanted to report on my cold adaptation experiment.
Before taking The Plunge, I had already done cold showers for quite awhile. 15C showers were a walk in the park, even getting my head wet.
Enter the Cold Bath at 15C!
Well, that was COLD. I started shivering after about 3 minutes at 15C the first time. I decided to do the C's routine: 10-15C for the same number of minutes, for 3 weeks every day, and then every other day thereafter.
Since I did the experiment gradually as the winter approached, the water temp in the pool gradually dropped as I adjusted, which was nice.
There were a few phases that were rather interesting.
On several occasions, after doing a cold plunge, I would wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat. I never woke up with an actual fever - like burning up and with squirrelly thoughts and such. I would always wake up cold in a drenched bed, visit the bathroom and wee like a racehorse, chug a bunch of water because I was also thirsty, and then go back to bed (on whichever side was not sweat-soaked). This never coincided with any actual illness. Sometimes it would happen several times in one night. When I woke up in the morning, I always felt fine.
As the water temp dropped, each degree lower seemed like 20 degrees lower. It was a new shock. When the water temp dipped below 10, I was sure that was gonna be the limit. I've now done quite a few plunges at 6, 7, 8, and 9 degrees, for the same number of minutes.
When the temp hit single digits, another interesting phenomenon popped up: my feet felt cold, stiff, and a combination of what I might call minor frostbite + arthritis when I got out of the water. Once my feet were warmed up again, they were fine. No damage occurred or anything. This lasted about a week or two, and it was "decidedly unpleasant" - aka it HURT.
Well, I decided maybe I'd get some little neoprene booties or something, but in the meantime, I went into the pool again at 7C... This time, my feet no longer hurt like before. They were cold, and stiff like the rest of me by the time I got out, but no more pain. The interesting part is that previously, my feet would fall asleep a lot, especially if I sat with my legs crossed. That doesn't seem to happen any more. I would also say that my feet seem to feel warmer than before. I'm starting to wonder if the cold plunges actually improved circulation in my legs and feet!
One other interesting benefit: If I am feeling down, going for a dip in the cold water is like a reboot of my brain chemistry. I'm guessing here that my brain is so pleased that I'm not dead, that perhaps it sends happy chemicals into my body as a thank you card.
I have not noticed that I'm super-impervious to cold or anything like that, although I was already more of a polar bear than most people.
In the early days of the experiment, I had a few days where after going in the cold water, I was super hungry. That doesn't seem to happen any more. I'm eating the same amount I did before the experiment began.
I also didn't get hit hard by a nasty "bug" that was going around about a month ago. I had only very minor symptoms.
Final notes about rewarming: At first, I'd just get out of the water, get dressed warmly, and stand by the fire and shiver myself warm. After a few weeks of that, I switched to taking a warm shower afterwards. I figured I'd had the cold exposure, and since my body was madly trying to warm itself, I'd help it along. I didn't notice any difference in the benefits of the cold when warming myself up more quickly afterwards.
Today I went in for 7.3 minutes at 7.1 degrees (I got distracted by a chat with someone outside the pool). I got out into the 4C air temperature with no sun, dripping wet, and I didn't even start really shivering until I got inside the warm house and all the way to the bathroom for my warm shower. Still, it takes a good hour to fully rewarm even with the reheating in the shower.
That's about it. If I gain the ability to fly and set myself ablaze by shouting "Flame On!" I'll let ya'll know. ;D
WARNING: If you try this at home, do it gradually!
I wanted to report on my cold adaptation experiment.
Before taking The Plunge, I had already done cold showers for quite awhile. 15C showers were a walk in the park, even getting my head wet.
Enter the Cold Bath at 15C!
Well, that was COLD. I started shivering after about 3 minutes at 15C the first time. I decided to do the C's routine: 10-15C for the same number of minutes, for 3 weeks every day, and then every other day thereafter.
Since I did the experiment gradually as the winter approached, the water temp in the pool gradually dropped as I adjusted, which was nice.
There were a few phases that were rather interesting.
On several occasions, after doing a cold plunge, I would wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat. I never woke up with an actual fever - like burning up and with squirrelly thoughts and such. I would always wake up cold in a drenched bed, visit the bathroom and wee like a racehorse, chug a bunch of water because I was also thirsty, and then go back to bed (on whichever side was not sweat-soaked). This never coincided with any actual illness. Sometimes it would happen several times in one night. When I woke up in the morning, I always felt fine.
As the water temp dropped, each degree lower seemed like 20 degrees lower. It was a new shock. When the water temp dipped below 10, I was sure that was gonna be the limit. I've now done quite a few plunges at 6, 7, 8, and 9 degrees, for the same number of minutes.
When the temp hit single digits, another interesting phenomenon popped up: my feet felt cold, stiff, and a combination of what I might call minor frostbite + arthritis when I got out of the water. Once my feet were warmed up again, they were fine. No damage occurred or anything. This lasted about a week or two, and it was "decidedly unpleasant" - aka it HURT.
Well, I decided maybe I'd get some little neoprene booties or something, but in the meantime, I went into the pool again at 7C... This time, my feet no longer hurt like before. They were cold, and stiff like the rest of me by the time I got out, but no more pain. The interesting part is that previously, my feet would fall asleep a lot, especially if I sat with my legs crossed. That doesn't seem to happen any more. I would also say that my feet seem to feel warmer than before. I'm starting to wonder if the cold plunges actually improved circulation in my legs and feet!
One other interesting benefit: If I am feeling down, going for a dip in the cold water is like a reboot of my brain chemistry. I'm guessing here that my brain is so pleased that I'm not dead, that perhaps it sends happy chemicals into my body as a thank you card.
I have not noticed that I'm super-impervious to cold or anything like that, although I was already more of a polar bear than most people.
In the early days of the experiment, I had a few days where after going in the cold water, I was super hungry. That doesn't seem to happen any more. I'm eating the same amount I did before the experiment began.
I also didn't get hit hard by a nasty "bug" that was going around about a month ago. I had only very minor symptoms.
Final notes about rewarming: At first, I'd just get out of the water, get dressed warmly, and stand by the fire and shiver myself warm. After a few weeks of that, I switched to taking a warm shower afterwards. I figured I'd had the cold exposure, and since my body was madly trying to warm itself, I'd help it along. I didn't notice any difference in the benefits of the cold when warming myself up more quickly afterwards.
Today I went in for 7.3 minutes at 7.1 degrees (I got distracted by a chat with someone outside the pool). I got out into the 4C air temperature with no sun, dripping wet, and I didn't even start really shivering until I got inside the warm house and all the way to the bathroom for my warm shower. Still, it takes a good hour to fully rewarm even with the reheating in the shower.
That's about it. If I gain the ability to fly and set myself ablaze by shouting "Flame On!" I'll let ya'll know. ;D
Thank you for sharing your experiences Mr. Scott. :) My experiences mirror yours.
I haven't been doing the baths as often as others have (once a week at 10-ish Celsius for 12 minutes) but cold showers are still amazing fun every time I have one. It feels like my nervous system is being cleaned out and reset.
I have also noticed my feet become slightly arthritic during the cold baths. It returns to normal after I warm myself up by switching the warm shower water back on.
I haven't been doing the baths as often as others have (once a week at 10-ish Celsius for 12 minutes) but cold showers are still amazing fun every time I have one. It feels like my nervous system is being cleaned out and reset.
I have also noticed my feet become slightly arthritic during the cold baths. It returns to normal after I warm myself up by switching the warm shower water back on.
Mr. Scott said:One other interesting benefit: If I am feeling down, going for a dip in the cold water is like a reboot of my brain chemistry. I'm guessing here that my brain is so pleased that I'm not dead, that perhaps it sends happy chemicals into my body as a thank you card.
Thanks for sharing your experience and the laughs. I need to get back to cold showers more regularly and longer (I want to get to 10 to 15 minutes again, but damn the water is REALLY cold now).SeekinTruth said:
Me too. I was really good the first three weeks (dropped down to around 15C) , but it was really painful on my shoulder. I endeavour to start again when the inflammation calms down. Quite tempted to buy an ice vest after reading this article on SOTT: http://www.sott.net/article/290749-Feeling-chilly-Its-good-for-you
