Nervous System Regulation & Cold Water Therapy: The Good, The Bad & The Biohacking Approach
Nervous system regulation plays a crucial role in overall health, influencing stress response, digestion, hormones, and even sleep quality. One method gaining massive popularity in the wellness and biohacking world is cold water therapy—cold showers, ice plunges, and other somatic practices designed to build resilience and enhance recovery. But is jumping into freezing water always the best approach? Not necessarily. For those with high cortisol levels, cold water exposure can actually do more harm than good.
Let’s break it all down so you can determine if cold water therapy is the right tool for you or if your body needs a different approach.
What is Biohacking & Why Does It Matter?
Biohacking is the practice of making small, science-backed lifestyle changes to optimize your body's function. Think of it as personalized health optimization using nutrition, fitness, supplements, and stress resilience techniques like cold therapy. However, biohacking is not one-size-fits-all. What works for someone else might not be the best option for you—this is where functional medicine and lab testing come in.
The Benefits of Cold Water Therapy
When used correctly, cold water exposure can offer:
Improved circulation
Lower inflammation
Stronger stress resilience
Boosted metabolism
Enhanced mood & mental clarity
Better sleep & recovery
Cold showers and ice plunges trigger the vagus nerve, shifting the nervous system from fight-or-flight (sympathetic) into rest-and-digest (parasympathetic), promoting relaxation and resilience. This is why it’s so popular in the world of functional health and holistic healing.
When Cold Water Therapy Can Backfire
Despite its benefits, cold therapy isn’t right for everyone. If you struggle with chronic stress, high cortisol, adrenal dysfunction, or burnout, extreme cold exposure could push your body further into a state of imbalance.
High cortisol levels? Here’s why cold therapy may not be for you:
Cold plunges trigger a stress response, increasing cortisol even further.
If your body is already in chronic fight-or-flight, more stress (even hormetic stress) may lead to fatigue, anxiety, and hormone disruption.
Women’s hormones are particularly sensitive to stress-induced shifts, which can lead to menstrual cycle changes, worsened PMS, or sluggish metabolism.
Sometimes, jumping on a trend isn’t the best move for YOUR body.
Other Somatic Practices for Nervous System Regulation
If cold therapy isn’t the right fit, here are alternative nervous system regulation techniques that may work better for you:
Grounding (Earthing): Walking barefoot on natural surfaces to absorb the Earth’s electrons and reduce stress.
Breathwork & Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Techniques like box breathing, alternate nostril breathing, or humming to calm the nervous system.
Shaking, Dancing & Tapping (EFT): Simple movements to release stored tension and trauma in the body.
Contrast Therapy: Instead of extreme cold, try alternating warm and cool showers for a gentler, nervous-system-friendly reset.
How to Know What’s Right for You? Test, Don’t Guess!
Functional lab testing can reveal whether your nervous system is already overburdened. Dee Davidson offers testing to assess cortisol levels, adrenal function, hormone balance, and gut health—all factors that determine whether cold therapy will help or hurt your system.
If you’re struggling with stress, fatigue, hormone imbalance, or digestive issues, let’s uncover the root cause and create a personalized plan that actually works for YOU.
Final Thoughts: A Bio-Individual Approach to Cold Therapy
Cold water exposure is a powerful tool—but only when used appropriately. If your body is already in survival mode, jumping into ice water might add more stress, not less. Instead, focus on nervous system-friendly alternatives that support deep healing.
If you’re curious about your hormones, cortisol, and stress response, let’s run the right labs and build a strategy tailored to your unique biology.
Book Your Functional Health Consultation Here
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider before starting any new health protocol, especially if you have underlying health conditions.
Dee Davidson is a Functional Health Practitioner, hormone health expert, and advocate for personalized health and integrative care. With a focus on functional health and functional nutrition, Dee provides bio-individualized solutions to help clients restore balance. To learn more about how functional lab testing, functional medicine, and a holistic health approach can support your wellness journey, listen to her Confidently Balance Your Hormones podcast or schedule a discovery call at ConfidentlyLoveYourself.com.