5 Cold Therapy Alternatives in Supplement Form (and How They Work)
7th Jul 2025
No Ice Needed: 5 Powerful Ways to Get Cold Plunge Benefits Without Freezing Your Butt Off
Cold plunges are trending for their ability to boost mood, improve recovery, reduce stress, and support your immune system. But let’s be honest — not everyone wants to sit in a tub of ice water.Luckily, there are supplements that offer similar benefits, without the chill.
Here’s a breakdown of five science-backed supplements that mimic some of the effects of cold therapy — plus a few bonus mentions at the end.
Products mentioned in the article:
What are Cold Plunges Good For?
There are many cold plunge benefits, including better circulation, less muscle soreness, improving your immune system as well as boosting your mood.
You can learn more about this in our blog about cold plunging.
Have you ever wondered, though, ‘What can I do instead of cold plunge?’ Let’s go over some supplements that may be alternatives to cold plunging or may boost the effects of cold plunging if you’re keen to begin.
Supplements as Alternatives to Cold Plunging
1. Bacopa – For Focus, Mood and Brain Clarity
Cold therapy effect: Improves mood, sharpens focus, reduces brain fog.
Why it’s an alternative: An ancient Ayurvedic herb that boosts brain chemicals like serotonin and acetylcholine.
What it does:
- Boosts mood: Increases serotonin levels (the ‘feel good’ hormone).
- Improves memory and focus: Helps with learning and mental clarity.
- Reduces brain stress: Acts as a natural antioxidant, protecting brain cells.
Why it’s similar: Like cold water immersion, Bacopa can leave you feeling clear-headed, calm and focused — minus the icy shock. Perfect if you want the mental boost of a cold plunge without the tub.
2. HMB – For Muscle Recovery and Less Soreness
Cold therapy effect: Eases sore muscles, speeds up recovery.
Why it’s an alternative: A natural compound made from leucine (an amino acid) that helps protect and rebuild muscle after workouts.
What it does:
- Prevents muscle breakdown: Acts like a shield for your muscles during hard training.
- Speeds up healing: Helps your body repair tiny tears in the muscle faster.
- Supports strength gains: Encourages lean muscle growth over time.
Why it’s similar: Ice baths are great for recovery, but HMB can deliver many of the same post-workout benefits in capsule or powder form. Great for athletes or gym-goers who want results without ice barrels or freezing tubs.
You could also look into taking various supplements for muscle recovery and inflammation.
3. IMMUSE® – For a Stronger Immune System
Cold therapy effect: Boosts the immune system.
Why it’s an alternative: A unique postbiotic (not a probiotic or prebiotic) that trains your immune system to respond better to threats.
What it does:
- Activates NK cells: These are your body’s ‘first responders’ that fight viruses and bacteria.
- Strengthens defences: Improves how your immune system reacts to illness.
- Supports overall health: Especially useful during cold seasons or stressful times.
Why it’s similar: Many people use cold plunges to boost their immunity. IMMUSE offers a daily immune upgrade — no cold water required. Just take a capsule and carry on.
You can even take Zinc Picolinate + C to support your immune system, wound healing, collagen production and for antioxidant support.
4. DHH-B – For Stress Relief & Emotional Balance
Cold therapy effect: Reduces stress, increases resilience, calms the nervous system.
Why it’s an alternative: A natural compound derived from Magnolia bark, known to calm the brain and regulate stress hormones.
What it does:
- Balances cortisol: Helps lower your body’s main stress hormone.
- Improves mood: Keeps your emotions steadier and balanced.
- Boosts stress resilience: Helps you stay calm and focused under pressure.
- Supports immune health: Less stress means a stronger immunity.
Why it’s similar: Cold plunges force your body to cope with stress and that builds mental strength. DHH-B mimics that calming, stress-reducing effect, making it a great option for those who want emotional and mental balance without a daily ice bath.
5. CalorieBurn GP – For Metabolism and Fat-Burning
Cold therapy effect: Activates brown fat, which burns calories and boosts metabolism.
Why it’s an alternative: A supplement that targets metabolism and helps the body burn more calories, even at rest.
What it does:
- Increases brown fat activity: Mimics cold-induced calorie burning.
- Speeds up metabolism: Helps your body use food for energy more efficiently.
- Supports weight management: Can assist in fat loss alongside healthy eating.
- Raises energy levels: More energy means better workouts and productivity.
Why it’s similar: Ice baths are popular for ‘fat-burning’ benefits thanks to brown fat activation. CalorieBurn GP gives you that metabolism support without needing to freeze.
Lean XP is similar, burning of visceral belly fat without using caffeine, steroids, or stimulants. Its unique formula curbs hunger, burns fat and fires up metabolism. It also activates brown fat to burn 5x more calories while balancing blood sugar and improving carb tolerance.
Other Helpful Cold Therapy Alternatives
Here are a few more natural options people use to simulate parts of the cold plunge experience:
- Rhodiola Rosea: An adaptogen that boosts energy, stamina and stress resilience.
- Ashwagandha: Calms the nervous system, balances cortisol and reduces anxiety. Try Shoden® Ashwagandha, a patented form with high absorption benefits.
- L-Theanine: Found in green tea; promotes calm and focus without drowsiness.
- Omega-3 fatty acids (like those from fish oil): Reduce inflammation and support brain and heart health.
- Creatine: Supports recovery and brain function, not just muscle performance.
Supplements that Boost Cold Plunging Effects
Taking the right supplements can make cold thermogenesis (using cold exposure to burn fat) even more effective. They help your body burn fat better, speed up your metabolism, reduce inflammation and give you more energy, making it easier to stay active and lose weight. Some supplements also help your body use fat as fuel, which can improve overall health and lower the risk of long-term diseases. Plus, they can sharpen your focus, improve mood and reduce stress, keeping you motivated.
Sleep & Melatonin Matter
Getting enough sleep and keeping a consistent sleep schedule helps activate brown fat (the good fat that burns calories). A small dose of melatonin can also help, though it might make you sleepy, unless you’re exposed to light after taking it, which can counteract the drowsiness. You can also try boosting your magnesium levels with Magnesium Glycinate, which is a long-term fix for sleep issues.
Cold Caffeine Over Hot Coffee
If you drink coffee, go for iced instead of hot. This keeps your body from having to cool down again after a hot drink. Coffee also has its own health perks!
Natural Ingredients That Fire Up Fat Burning
Certain foods and supplements can kickstart thermogenesis, including:
- Capsaicin (from red pepper)
- Piperine (from black pepper)
- Ginger, cinnamon and Citrus aurantium (bitter orange)
- Bile acids (support liver and thyroid health, helping brown fat work better)
Top Supplements for Cold Thermogenesis
- Forskolin: A plant-based supplement that boosts fat burning, reduces fat storage and helps regulate body temperature in the cold.
- Omega-3 + Cold Exposure: This combo may increase metabolism and cut fat gain. Try LPC Neuro omega-3 if you’re looking for omega-3 brain benefits.
- Ketones, Caffeine and Polyphenols: Together, they help turn white fat into calorie-burning brown fat. Xandro’s Trans Resveratrol is a great polyphenol that helps improve blood pressure and minimise free radicals.
- Green Tea (EGCG): Speeds up metabolism, increases heat production, burns fat and fights inflammation.
End Note
Cold plunges can be powerful, but they’re not for everyone. Whether you're sensitive to cold, lack space, or just prefer a simpler routine, these supplements can be excellent alternatives while allowing you to still experience the different cold plunge benefits.
Products mentioned in the article: