The Cold Shift

Permanent claim record

Research Interpretation

Cold-water immersion at 14 °C increased plasma dopamine concentration in healthy men.

Statement type
Research Interpretation
Evidence confidence
Moderate
Ice Sack applicability
Indirect Analogy
Last reviewed
2026-08-04

Evidence synthesis

In the same controlled study, one-hour immersion at 14 °C produced measurable increases in plasma dopamine levels.

Limitations

One small study. The dopamine response was measured via plasma assay during water immersion — not dry cold and not a direct measure of central dopamine signaling.

Supporting records

Human physiological responses to immersion into water of different temperaturesEuropean Journal of Applied Physiology, 2000 · PMID 10751106
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