28 May 2026
About this episode
If you鈥檝e ever wondered whether the cold鈥憌ater swimming craze is a genuine brain booster or just a very chilly fad, this episode is for you. New 女生小视频 journalists听Cat de Lange听补苍诲听Helen Thomson听plunge into the science behind cold dips, ice baths and saunas, asking whether they really can lift mood, protect the brain and build resilience,听or if a warm pool and a chat with friends would do just as much.
Along the way, Cat and Helen explore why so many people feel transformed by getting into very cold water, and what might听really听be driving those post鈥憇wim highs. Is it something special happening inside the brain and body or the simple magic of nature, community and ritual?听
They鈥檙e joined by听Professor Mike Tipton, a world鈥憀eading expert in how our bodies respond to extreme environments. Together, they ask: in an age of central heating and air conditioning, have we made ourselves听too听comfortable for our brains and bodies鈥 own good?听
We want to hear your thoughts, leave a comment or send in your ideas for future episodes to听changeyourmind@newscientist.com
Learn more about Cold-water swimming:
/article/2506082-cold-water-swimming-has-benefits-for-the-brain-as-well-as-the-body/听
Learn more about our sponsor Alzheimer鈥檚 Society: 鈦犫仩/补濒锄丑别颈尘别谤蝉-蝉辞肠颈别迟测/鈦犫仩
Produced by听Emily Bird
