You Don't Know Jack About the Cold

What do you immediately think of when you hear the word "COLD?" Like 99.99% of the population, you are probably thinking something along the lines of:

• "I hate the cold"
• "No one likes the cold"
• "Being hot is so much better than being cold"
• "Send me to Florida"
• "Well, unless we are skiing. Then I am down to be in the cold, but I still hate the cold"

Look, I get it. I hated the cold too. Although I grew up in New York and loved being outside to camp, ski, and to enjoy the winter, I still hated the cold. Frostbitten toes, tingly fingers, red noses, wheezing (I have asthma), slippery ice, bone-chilling mornings going to school/work, and the list goes on. EVERYONE HATES THE COLD. Except for a small contingent of extremists, no one actually "likes" the cold. But because there are such incredible health benefits from exposure to the cold, many people have learned to embrace it.

Nothing has worse branding than "being cold"

This is just a reality. The cold has terrible branding. Think Fast. Hot or Cold? Miami or Massachusetts? Summer or Winter? Sauna or Ice Bath? Heating Pad or Ice Pack? If you’re like most, you steer hot 99% of the time. But, why is this? Have you ever looked into the science of being cold and how much of a positive impact the cold can have on your body's overall health and performance? Don't worry, that’s why I am here... to drop a little knowledge on you about on the power of cold, what I am doing with CryoCafe, and how you can ease into it... baby steps style.

What can being cold really do for me?

Remember that time you injured yourself and you put an ice pack...or frozen peas...on your injury? Why?. The cold causes your blood vessels to constrict(vasoconstriction), which immediately reduces bleeding into tissue, reducing muscle spasms and pain by reducing inflammation and swelling. This is an age-old practice known even to Roman Gladiators, and it’s this physiological response that drives our use of the cold to alleviate injury and soreness. Immersing your entire body in the cold has the same overall effect. Full body cold immersion sends your entire body into "fight or flight" mode, with heavy vasoconstriction from head to toe. While in this state, your body instantly sends blood from your extremities to your vital organs to preserve them. When your exposure to the cold is over, the rush of blood back to normal distribution provides a feeling of euphoria, a runner’s high, due to an endorphin release. As this kicks in, you will instantly experience a clear mind and sharp focus. Getting through this process takes mental strength and persistence, and breathing is a big factor. More on this in a future article but keeping your mind focused and "away" from the cold is very helpful. This is what is so special about CryoCafe. We help you create the mental strength to endure this life-changing experience.

The real magic happens once you remove yourself from the cold, when all of that newer, richer, more oxygenated blood comes shooting back throughout the body. It is like a party in your veins as your blood vessels dilate (vasodilation). Your metabolism, circulation, endorphin release, and adrenaline spike. Inflammation in your body is almost surely reduced, and this is why the cold is incredibly beneficial for individuals with auto-immune diseases, arthritis, muscle soreness, injuries, certain surgeries and headaches or migraines. Because of the endorphin release and effect on your nervous system, many individuals find that the cold puts them in a better mood and eliminates mental fog.

Personally, the benefits I feel most from daily use of the cold are the mental clarity, heavily decreased inflammation, energy high, and general feeling of being light on my feet.

So, why cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy is simply another word for cold therapy, and it generally refers to the use of extreme subzero temperatures, either through cold gasses or icy water, to cool down your body. At CryoCafe, we use vaporized liquid nitrogen to the tune of -200F to -240F to generate this feeling.

"How can my body withstand such a cold temperature" you ask? Well, there are a number of factors that come into play here, such as length of exposure time, size of room, distance from vapor sources, and of course everyone's body is different. That said, a key element is humidity and the relative dryness of this subzero vapor. Because the nitrogen vapor has extremely low humidity, the feeling of cold is concentrated on the outside of your body and doesn't penetrate to your core, as would jumping into a frozen lake or walking outside in the winter. What's happening is that the subzero air hits your skin (and because everyone's body is different, we at CryoCafe will always start you at a baseline that is doable for anyone) and causes an immediate chain reaction in your muscle tissue and circulatory system, which is all that is needed for the dozens of benefits. Many clients are surprised that they don’t really feel all that cold. You wear gloves and slippers so it is not at all uncomfortable. And the ambiance and atmosphere that we customize for you generates a great vibe.

We've cryo'd nearly 50,000 people at CryoCafe, both in our West Hollywood store and at other locations, and we are seeing incredible things. We have thousands of testimonials showing the true effect on our client's lives. Here are some of the main benefits that our clients recount - and keep in mind that while some are new to the cold, many have been swearing by the cold for years and see CryoCafe as the most efficient path to achieving results:

1.   Anti-inflammation

2.   Help with sleep

3.   Muscle recovery, pain alleviation, and fatigue

4.   Energy boost, adrenaline rush, endorphin release

5.   Acne, redness, rosacea

6.   Auto-immune disease relief

7.   Injury recovery, surgery recovery with immediate effect

8.   Glowing skin and complexion

9.  Mental clarity and wellness

10. Significant calorie burn as you rewarm

Now, let's try something new! Don't freak out. How about taking a cold shower! See what it does for you. Here's a simple 7-step approach for you to get started - and this is something that ANYONE can do. Hell, if you can't do this, how are you going to accomplish anything in life?! Start with 5 seconds. 1.....2.....3.....4.....5. Done. Accomplished. See that?

1.   Start with your normal shower. Don't do anything different. Run the water on you head and let it cascade down your neck, back and chest.

2.   At some point in the shower, trigger yourself mentally to "go cold."

3.   Take 5 deep breaths. In through your nose, out through your mouth, gently releasing the air with an open mouth and "ahhhh" sound. Each breath deeper than the last.

4.   While in the 5th breath, grab that temperature handle and quickly move it to as cold as you want. Push yourself. Don't second guess. Don't think, just do.

5.   Continue the same breathing. Don't be scared. Just breathe. Count to 5 in your head. FEEL THE RUSH.

6.   After 5 seconds, adjust the temperature back to normal. You're done. And as you warm, you will feel an immediate body high, instant gratification, and likely a sharp mental focus. From 5 seconds!

7.   Next shower, literally rinse and repeat. Except push yourself a little bit. How about 6 seconds? 10 seconds? 30 seconds? Dare I say an entire shower?

This is what it's about. Pushing yourself to do something out of your comfort zone that actually makes you feel different...and better! We all react the same way. We are all human.

So what does this mean for me?

The cold is all around us. We can access the cold in many ways, shapes, and forms. Cryotherapy is so amazing that I decided to build a business that is centered around cryo and the cold. This is just the beginning. There are many useful pathways to health, but few deliver such dramatic benefits immediately. CryoCafe has made it easy to add cryotherapy to your daily life, and it can become the foundation of you plan for a healthier and happier life.

If you're in Los Angeles and want to see what we're about at CryoCafe, stop by my store on Melrose (after the pandemic ends and we are able to reopen). Show this article to the staff and I'll give you your first session on me! You can find us on Google, Yelp, Instagram, or at www.cryocafela.com. If you have any questions on cryotherapy, experiencing the cold, or overall wellness, feel free to reach out to me directly via DM or [email protected].

Wishing you all the best,

Jacob