Gary Brecka recommends two habits for mood support: daily walks in a weighted vest to boost dopamine, and cold plunges at 48-52°F for 3-6 minutes to trigger proteins that improve mood for hours. He emphasizes these are not medical treatments but actionable practices anyone can try.
How does Gary Brecka treat depression? Okay, well, I don't specifically treat depression. I'm not a physician. What I would advise anyone who is struggling with any type of mood disorder is to immediately make mobility non-negotiable. You know, I heard someone say one time, if you want to cure depression, push somebody in cold water. It's very easy to be in a bad mood getting into a cold plunge. It's almost impossible to be in a bad mood getting out. For cold plunging, longer is not better and colder is not better, but nothing beats consistent mobility. So if you are somebody that is struggling with a mood disorder, it's critical that you make mobility non-negotiable. One of my favorite things to do, no matter where you are at what stage of your health and fitness journey, is just walk outside with a weighted vest. When you do something hard, put effort into things, you raise your dopamine. These are mood hormones. Another great thing to try is cold plunging, 3 minutes minimum, 6 minutes maximum, between 48 and 52 degrees Fahrenheit. That's it. All you need to do is solicit those responses, the release of cold shock proteins. You will feel amazing and it will literally change the trajectory of your entire day.
