Polar Bear plunges. Stylish ice spas. Cryotherapies. Run-of-the-mill cold showers. The history of people immersing themselves in cold temperatures–for perceived health benefits–dates back to ancient Greece. But as for long as these practices have been studied, even the most recent research raises more questions than answers. While health professionals have frequently touted positive effects on skin, mental health, circulation, and energy levels, Australian researchers have recently posited that who benefits—and, for how long—depends on nuanced factors ranging across types of individuals, whether elite athletes, the general population, and/or those with specific health conditions.
