How It Works: Whole Body Cryotherapy

Harnessing the power of cold to activate your body’s healing response

Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC) is one of the most powerful ways to stimulate your body’s natural ability to reset, repair, and recover. But how does standing in a chamber at -85°C for just a few minutes lead to real, tangible benefits?

At Cryobright, we use cryotherapy as a tool to support better recovery, reduced pain and inflammation, improved circulation, enhanced mood, sleep, and overall well-being. The key lies in the four-stage process behind it:

Stimulus → Reaction → Adaptation → Restoration

1. Stimulus

Thermoreceptor Stimulation
As soon as you enter the cryotherapy chamber, your skin’s cold sensors (thermoreceptors) detect the extreme temperature. This instantly alerts your sympathetic nervous system—your body's built-in survival system—to respond.

This initial cold exposure acts as the stimulus that sparks a cascade of internal healing responses.

2. Reaction

Fight or Flight Response
Your brain—specifically the hypothalamus—interprets the intense cold as a potential survival threat. In response, it activates the fight or flight response. This controlled stress response is short-lived but incredibly effective, mobilising your body’s defences and triggering fast physiological changes.

3. Adaptation

This is where your body begins to work smarter.

Peripheral Vasoconstriction

Blood flow is redirected from the limbs to the core to preserve heat and protect vital organs. While there, the blood is supercharged with oxygen and nutrients, preparing it to support healing once released.

Hormonal Boost

Cryotherapy causes a surge in powerful “feel-good” neurotransmitters and hormones:

• Noradrenaline – boosts alertness and mental clarity

• Dopamine & Serotonin – support mood and motivation

• Endorphins & Oxytocin – ease pain and promote emotional calm

Pain Reduction

The cold slows down nerve conduction, making pain signals travel more slowly and reducing sensitivity. This contributes to less pain and more relaxed muscles—particularly useful for chronic pain, injury recovery, or post-workout soreness.

Inflammation Control

Cryotherapy helps balance the immune system by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines. This can support people managing inflammation-related conditions or recovering from injury.

4. Restoration

Once you leave the chamber and return to normal temperatures, the final phase begins.

Vasodilation & Circulatory Surge

Blood vessels dilate rapidly—up to four times their normal size. This sends freshly oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood rushing back to muscles and tissues, flushing out toxins and supporting tissue repair. Many people feel an immediate sense of invigoration and lightness.

Oxidative Stress Reduction

Cryotherapy boosts the body’s antioxidant capacity, helping neutralise free radicals and reduce cellular stress. This process supports long-term well-being, recovery, and even skin health.

What Will You Feel?

After a session, many clients report:

• Lighter legs and looser muscles

• A clear head and brighter mood

• Less soreness or pain

• Improved circulation and energy

• Better sleep that night

The results build over time—but for many, benefits can be felt immediately.

How We Use It at Cryobright

At Cryobright, we use Whole Body Cryotherapy to help clients feel better—faster. Whether you’re recovering from training, managing chronic pain, or simply need an energy or mood boost, cryo activates the body’s natural healing systems to support real, lasting change.

We commonly recommend it to support:

• Muscle recovery and soreness after exercise

• Injury rehab and inflammation reduction

• Chronic pain management (e.g. back pain, arthritis, joint issues)

• Mood, hormonal balance, and mental clarity

• Energy, sleep, immune support, and post-burnout recovery

Many people feel immediate benefits—like lighter legs, reduced pain, or improved mood—for several hours after a session. But like most powerful health tools, consistency matters. Regular use (especially in the first few weeks) helps your body adapt, allowing results to develop over time.

Why It Works

Whole Body Cryotherapy isn’t just about cold—it’s about using cold as a controlled stimulus to wake up your body’s natural healing intelligence. With just 3-5 minutes per session, your body moves through a precise biological process that leaves you feeling recovered, rebalanced, and restored.

Want to feel the shift for yourself?

Book your first cryo session today or ask our team how it can support your recovery, health, or performance goals.

This article is part of our How It Works blog series—your go-to guide for understanding the science and real-world benefits behind Cryobright’s core wellness and recovery therapies. Whether you're new to these treatments or want to make more informed choices, this series breaks it down simply, so you know exactly how each therapy can help you feel better today and build better health for tomorrow.