Here’s the rundown on what biohacking is and what whole-body cryotherapy can do for your health
Biohacking is a broad concept that can hardly be pinned down to an exact definition as it is not yet an exact science. In a nutshell, biohacking is the process of optimizing your health and well-being by implementing changes to yourself and your body. Simply put, it’s self-driven, scientifically backed, and typically experimental.
Examples of biohacking include simple things like undertaking a new diet, taking dietary supplements, and wearing smartwatches. Biohacking also refers to more extreme processes like chemical injections, implants, and genetic engineering. As such, cryotherapy—or cold therapy—falls under biohacking as it’s a procedure that promotes both physical and mental health benefits.
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More precisely, cryotherapy is a biohacking process that exposes your body to extremely cold air as low as -140℃ in equipment like cryochambers and cryosaunas. Depending on the needs of the client and the recommendation of their doctor, each cryotherapy session lasts two to three minutes on average. Cryotherapy is said to have benefits in relieving pain and inflammation, and in promoting blood circulation. This procedure is also said to promote longevity since by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation, the development of illnesses is minimized.
Another one of cryotherapy’s noteworthy benefits is its positive effect on mood disorders. Research shows that your body releases adrenaline, noradrenaline, and endorphins as part of its physiological hormonal response to ultra-cold temperatures. As such, cryotherapy can be used as a treatment for mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Even without a mood disorder, some cryotherapy users claim to receive energy boosts after each session.
However, it is important to note that the benefits of whole-body cryotherapy remain largely inconclusive as it’s a field still undergoing research. And as with any medical procedure, there are risks to cryotherapy, such as frostbite and hypothermia. With these in mind, you should consult your doctor to determine if this procedure is right for you, especially if you have a medical condition and plan to treat it.
Despite the possible risks, cryotherapy remains to be a common procedure among some professional athletes due to its positive effect on muscle recovery and injury treatment. One popular facility to undergo nitrogen-free whole-body cryotherapy is FrozFit in Quezon City, which gets visited by athletes like Kiefer Ravena, Jamie Lim, Lexi Noval, Chris Koon, and Johnny O’Bryant. Celebrities like Dingdong Dantes and Kathlene Figuracion have also visited FrozFit in the past to experience its benefits.
Cryotherapy is not a cheap procedure, especially when considering that you would need to undergo regular sessions to maintain its benefits long term. At FrozFit, one session that lasts for almost four minutes costs PHP 3,500, with a doctor’s consultation priced at PHP 500. You can also receive cryotherapy sessions at Peak Form in Pasay and Taguig, as well as at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City and BGC.
