Taking cold showers has been linked to a stronger sex drive in men. Prolonged exposure to cold water has also been shown to increase testosterone production, boosting the libido and enhancing overall strength and energy in the process.
Cold showers increase blood flow to your brain, delivering a bumper hit of oxygen and nutrients that improve your concentration, alertness and mental clarity.
Using cold showers (cold water immersion, or CWI, in research), long-term, will attenuate the anabolic signaling that occurs in muscles2 through the reduction of inflammation. I.e., you will decrease your ability to build a maximum amount of muscle, which directly contradicts the goal of building muscle.
After 30 days of cold showers, most individuals report feeling more alert, having more energy, having healthier skin and hair, improved mental health and resilience, improved circulation, and more.
Cold showers and exposure to cold temperatures have been shown to increase testosterone levels, which can indirectly impact sperm count. Higher levels of testosterone can stimulate sperm production and increase the motility of sperm, which can improve overall sperm count.
Cold showers don't necessarily produce more sperm cells, but they do not pose a threat to sperm in the same way as increasing one's body and scrotal temperature would via a hot shower.
³ The sudden shock from the cold water activates the release of endorphins, aka “happiness hormones”. Endorphins can help relieve symptoms of depression, increase feelings of wellbeing, and minimize discomfort. ⁴ After the shower, the endorphins leave you with a feeling similar to a runner's high.
Plus, a cold shower can boost sperm count. A recent study from the University of California at San Francisco found that men who were exposed to 30 minutes of “wet heat” (so showers and baths) per week that they stopped this practice saw their sperm count increase by 491%.
“Testosterone hormone is secreted at night and rises in certain stages of sleep,” Dr Brewer explains. “If a man feels too hot and his sleep is disturbed as a result, his testosterone production may be reduced. Sleeping naked helps to promote a healthier sleep pattern, so normal testosterone production occurs.”
Going from a hot to cold shower — even for a couple of minutes — might protect you from circulating viruses. The shock of cold water can stimulate the blood cells that fight off infection (leukocytes).
Mental Health Benefits of Cold Showers
A chilly zap from cold water signals to your brain to release endorphins, the feel-good hormone. This may create: A decrease in depression symptoms and anxiety. Improvement in stress levels.
Take a Hot Shower
Take a hot shower! The hot water and steam can help relax your body, and the time in the shower can help you work through any pesky or anxious thoughts that are keeping you from enjoying your high.
Cold showers and ice baths reduce anxiety, boost energy and immunity, improve mood, and foster longevity. One study found a 530 percent increase in norepinephrine and a 250 percent increase in dopamine in subjects who were immersed in chilly water for just a few minutes.
Spermatogenesis (sperm production) happens best when the testicles are slightly lower than body temperature, around 95–96ºF. You may notice that your sack hangs lower on a hot day — this is your body's way of helping heat dissipate so your testicles can cool down.
Does temperature affect sperm production and health? Temperature has been found to play a role in sperm production, with higher temperatures damaging sperm. Prolonged high temperatures, like those found in saunas, may reduce sperm motility or count.
Sperm need moisture and warmth to survive, however, even if the temperature of the water were close to body temperature, water causes sperm to disperse and separates it from the protective fluids in semen.
Used on a short-term basis, cannabis may help you fall asleep faster. Health experts generally do not recommend using sleep aids, including cannabis, on a long-term basis, because of their potential to negatively impact your sleep quality and cause other side effects.
DISTRACT YOURSELF
Simple distractions can provide significant relief. Turn on your favorite show or listen to some music. Grab some colored pencils and a coloring book or sketch pad. Giving yourself something enjoyable to focus on other than the unpleasant side effects of being too high can help you ground yourself.
People with comorbidities should refrain from taking a cold shower. For instance, if you are suffering from heart disease, or even high blood pressure, taking a bath with cold water can deteriorate your health.”
Taking cold showers has been linked to a stronger sex drive in men. Prolonged exposure to cold water has also been shown to increase testosterone production, boosting the libido and enhancing overall strength and energy in the process.
Lukewarm water is advisable to wash your face with, but cold water has its benefits, too. Cold water tightens the appearance of your skin, so it may make you look renewed and refreshed. It also helps boost your circulation, which can help give your skin a healthier appearance, albeit temporarily.
Disadvantages Of Cold Showers
Cold showers can make you feel worse if you are unwell as it can have an adverse effect on your immune system. If you already have a cold, cough or fever, you will feel colder and your body will take longer to warm up.
Keep it short: When first trying cold showers, aim to spend no more than 30 seconds under the cold water. You can increase the time as your body adapts.