re: Started 3 minute cold showers about 3 weeks ago - the benefits iv found astonishingly real

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well then post the actual studies showing the benefits. ive posted the ones showing negative effects

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The problem with studies on it is that for the most part there hasn't been studies on "regular" people. A lot of them are on higher level athletes, and swimmers who already get in cold water regularly.

LINK

You'll see that pointed out in the above link on studies.

What is indisputable is that there is some calorie burning benefit to cold water exposure. I don't think you are burning very many extra calories at all, but I got/get my exposure by switching to cold showers. A few calories every time you shower can add up over time.

I'm not super well-versed on the brown fat stuff, but there appears to be something there as well.

As for the non-scientific things, I also do it to help my skin. Not that cold water is good for your skin necessarily, but hot water is bad for it generally. And like others have said, I just feel very good after it. I would probably do cold plunges if I had one readily accessible, but just doing an icy shower seems to work well enough and doesn't take any extra time.