🔥 Cold, Breath & Asthma – Can Cold Exposure Help? ❄️
If you’ve got asthma, you’ve probably been told to avoid the cold — and with good reason. Cold air can trigger tight chests, wheezing, and flare-ups. But what if short, controlled exposure to cold could actually help reduce those symptoms? Let’s take a closer look at what the science (and lived experience) is starting to show.
Posted on Fri 16 May 2025 · by Danny
I had this message from a customer recently:
“And I’m asthmatic with allergies – and the last time I used my blue inhaler was about six months ago. Have only taken an antihistamine once this summer so far. The only thing that’s changed in that year? Cold water and saunas.”
That really got me thinking. Can cold exposure and heat actually help people with asthma breathe easier? Let’s dive into what the science — and lived experience — are starting to reveal.
The Body’s Cold Response
When you step into cold water or face the elements, your body releases norepinephrine (noradrenaline) — a hormone that wakes you up, sharpens focus, and crucially, calms inflammation.
Inflammation and Asthma
Asthma is essentially chronic inflammation of the airways. The tight chest, wheezing, shortness of breath — they’re caused by immune cells releasing inflammatory messengers called cytokines.
How Cold Might Help
Here’s what’s emerging:
❄️ Norepinephrine reduces inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-1β.❄️ Cold shock proteins (like RBM3) are released during cold stress. They help protect and repair cells, and may help modulate immune responses.❄️ The vagus nerve gets activated too, which supports the rest-digest side of the nervous system and helps regulate inflammation across the body.
So… Can Cold Exposure Ease Asthma Symptoms?
Possibly — especially if your asthma is linked to long-term inflammation. While more research is needed, many people report feeling clearer, calmer, and more in control of their breath after regular cold exposure and sauna use.
A Word of Caution
Not all asthma is the same. For some, cold air is a trigger — so diving into ice baths without prep isn’t the way. But with gradual exposure, warm-up strategies (hello sauna), and listening to your body, cold can become a powerful ally. Start slow, stay mindful, and always check with your GP if you’re making changes to medication or routines.
What We’ve Seen
We hear it time and time again from our sauna crew — “I breathe better afterwards.” For some, it’s meant using their inhaler less often. For others, it’s simply a feeling of space and ease in their chest they haven’t felt in years. We’re not claiming miracles. But we are saying: something is going on here — and it’s worth exploring.
Curious to Try It?
Come breathe with us. Sauna heat, cold dips, firelight, and a bit of science-backed magic. It might just change the way you breathe.