Cold Plunge and Sleep: Does It Help or Hurt?

Cold plunge can significantly affect your sleep — but timing matters. Here’s what the research says. How Cold Plunge Affects Sleep Positive Effects Reduces core body temperature — A drop in core temperature signals sleep onset Reduces inflammation — Chronic inflammation disrupts sleep Calms the nervous system — After the initial activation, parasympathetic tone increases Reduces stress hormones — Regular cold exposure may lower baseline cortisol Negative Effects (If Done Wrong) Too stimulating before bed — Norepinephrine and dopamine boost can cause insomnia Adrenaline response — Cold shock activates fight-or-flight Increased alertness — The energizing effect can last 2-4 hours Best Practices for Sleep DO: Cold Plunge in the Morning Morning cold plunge sets you up for better sleep at night: ...

April 30, 2026 · 2 min · 345 words · BioHacking Recovery Team

NAD+ and Sleep: How It Affects Your Rest

NAD+ plays a crucial role in regulating your sleep-wake cycle. Here’s how it affects sleep and how to optimize it. NAD+’s Role in Sleep 1. Circadian Clock Regulation NAD+ levels oscillate with your circadian rhythm: Peak in the morning (active phase) Lowest at night (rest phase) This cycle regulates sleep-wake patterns 2. Sirtuin Activity SIRT1 (a sirtuin) is NAD+-dependent and: Regulates circadian gene expression Helps maintain proper sleep timing Supports sleep quality 3. Melatonin Connection NAD+ metabolism interacts with melatonin production: ...

April 30, 2026 · 2 min · 245 words · BioHacking Recovery Team

Red Light Therapy for Sleep: Can It Improve Rest?

Poor sleep affects 70 million Americans. Red light therapy may help improve sleep quality through circadian rhythm regulation. How RLT Affects Sleep 1. Melatonin Support Red light (unlike blue light) doesn’t suppress melatonin. Using red light in the evening: Preserves natural melatonin production Supports sleep onset Doesn’t disrupt circadian rhythm 2. Cortisol Regulation Morning RLT helps regulate cortisol: Proper cortisol peak in the morning Gradual decline throughout the day Low cortisol at bedtime = better sleep 3. Relaxation Response Red light therapy promotes relaxation: ...

April 30, 2026 · 2 min · 218 words · BioHacking Recovery Team