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Cold Exposure

Meaning

Cold exposure is the deliberate or environmental application of cold temperatures to the body, a physiological stressor that activates specific thermoregulatory and metabolic responses. This practice, ranging from cold showers to cryotherapy, is leveraged for its potential health benefits, including enhanced metabolic flexibility and improved hormonal signaling. The body’s reaction to cold is a potent activator of the sympathetic nervous system and various endocrine pathways. Strategic cold exposure is being explored as a non-pharmacological tool to optimize human physiology and support longevity.