This description discusses the potential benefits of exposing oneself to cold temperatures in order to improve the body's immune response. It outlines the scientific evidence that suggests that cold exposure can help to strengthen the immune system, as well as the potential risks associated with this practice. It also provides tips on how to
The immune system is a network of biological systems that protects an organism from diseases. It detects and responds to a wide variety of pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites, as well as cancer cells and foreign objects, such as wood splinters—distinguishing them from the organism's own healthy tissue. Many species have two major subsystems of the immune system. The innate immune system provides a preconfigured response to broad groups of situations and stimuli. The adaptive immune system provides a tailored response to each stimulus by learning to recognize molecules it has previously encountered. Both use molecules and cells to perform their functions.