Sleep is a natural physiological process essential for recovery and proper body function. However, stress and other factors can sometimes disrupt its quality. Year after year, scientists have sought methods to help us fall asleep faster and improve sleep quality. According to Gizmodo, a new study suggests scientists may have discovered an innovative approach.
An international team of researchers from Canada and France has found evidence that regular exposure to extreme cold can positively impact sleep quality, reports Focus. Notably, this involves spending just five minutes a day in extremely cold temperatures.
A team from the University of Montreal and the University of Poitiers conducted a study on daily whole-body ‘cryostimulation’ to explore its potential benefits. In a controlled laboratory setting, scientists observed that healthy volunteers experienced improved sleep duration and quality during cold therapy. These findings suggest that cryostimulation could be an effective treatment for sleep disorders.
A total of 9 women and 11 men in their 20s participated in the study, which lasted five days. Each day at 6 PM, the volunteers undressed and spent five minutes in a chamber cooled to -90°C. Otherwise, they continued their usual routines, but their lifestyle was restricted by a ban on alcohol, caffeine, and other substances that could affect sleep quality.
Participants were also equipped with devices to monitor their heart rate, brain activity, and sleep patterns during sleep. Additionally, they completed questionnaires to evaluate sleep quality. For comparison, the volunteers underwent the same tracking procedures a second time, but without receiving cold therapy before bedtime.
The results indicate that volunteers experienced improved sleep after cryostimulation, though not immediately. Researchers observed noticeable differences only after the fifth day of sessions. The most significant changes were seen in slow-wave or deep sleep, the most restorative phase of the sleep cycle.
The study authors noted that, on average, participants’ deep sleep increased by 7.3 minutes following cold therapy. While volunteers reported improved sleep quality after cryostimulation, closer analysis revealed that the effect was significant only for women.
The study results were published in the journal Cryobiology. However, the authors caution against rushing to buy a man-sized freezer. First, the improvements in sleep were relatively modest. Second, the findings are based on a small sample size and require further research to confirm.
