Idaho Man Takes Ice Baths to Treat Depression and is Thriving

An Idaho man who had been taking prescription medications for more than 20 years decided to try something different. He dumped meds for dunks in ice water, and is doing very well.

Nearly 10 percent of American adults (over 18) suffer from depression, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. It can be a completely crippling disease, and doesn't just pose problems mentally but physically as well due to lack of motivation and a sedentary lifestyle in extreme cases.

Idaho Man Takes Himself Off Meds For Depression After 25 Years With Ice And Water

A Boise area man decided years ago to try his hand as a social media influencer as a way to show people firsthand how his method seems to be working for him after 25 years of taking prescribed pills for depression. Cameron LaBar, who goes by 'Cold Plunge Cam' on the Internet, still suffers from occasional side effects, but considers himself no longer under the control of the mental illness, according to Nomadix.

Cameron believes that routine immersion in an ice bath helps with managing moods and getting a better night's rest, according to his YouTube channel, which has more than 27,000 subscribers.

READ MORE: Ways Idahoans Deal With Stress And Depression

A cold plunge is the act of submerging into a tub or barrel full of ice water up to the neck. Most who partake in these icy baths for physical or mental therapy will soak for several minutes in water that is between 38 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit, according to coldture.com.