When you’re exposed to the cold, the body releases cold shock proteins known as RNA binding motif 3 (RBM3), which are directly linked to regeneration of synapses in the human brain. Synapses are gaps between neurons through which our neurons communicate, and are responsible for normal brain function and how we form memories. This effectively means that cold water therapy could play a role in decreasing the degeneration of our neurons, have a protective effect against traumatic brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s (16).