Could breathwork and cold water help during cancer?
This site supports a research study exploring whether the Wim Hof Method — guided breathing and gentle, gradual cold exposure — is something people living with cancer can learn safely at home, stick with, and whether it shows early signals for wellbeing or inflammation. It is not a treatment study and does not claim to cure or treat cancer.
If you take part, you can sign in here to record information and view your dashboard. Technical details: wallet sign-in (no gas for login), one-time consent.
What this study is about
Many people living with cancer experience high levels of inflammation, fatigue, and disrupted sleep. This pilot asks whether the Wim Hof Method is practical day to day, what adherence looks like, and whether there are early signals related to inflammation or how people feel. The research team documents experience carefully so stronger trials can be designed later if the results support it.
What taking part involves
Everything is done from home — no hospital visits. Over 16 weeks (plus a short follow-up survey at week 20) you would learn breathing through guided videos and instructor support (about 10–15 minutes most days), and introduce cold gradually — for example starting with a brief cold finish to your shower and building at your own pace. Optional finger-prick blood tests, weekly short surveys, wearable data if you use a tracker (or one can be provided), and a brief log after sessions help the team understand how the practice is going.
Who can take part (summary)
- Adults 18+ living with a cancer diagnosis (any type or stage), with a smartphone
- Written approval from your doctor or oncologist before you enrol (required)
Some medical conditions mean this pilot is not the right setting — your clinician reviews the full criteria. Not being eligible here does not mean breathwork or cold exposure could never be right for you.
Using this website
Enrolled participants use this site to sign in securely, agree to data use once, submit study information, and view the dashboard. Data is stored encrypted; a lightweight technical record may be created for research integrity.
Why this research matters
Inflammation, fatigue, and poor sleep are among the hardest parts of daily life for many people with cancer, and they are not always fully addressed by standard care alone. This study does not promise medical benefit — it tests whether a structured breath-and-cold routine is feasible and worth studying more rigorously later.
What you contribute
- Certified instruction and weekly support from an experienced WHM instructor
- A clear routine you can keep using after the study ends, if it suits you
- Evidence for whether a larger trial should be funded — helping others in the future
- Access to your own study data on request
Safety & independence
The Wim Hof Method in this study means guided breathing plus very gradual cold exposure (for example ending a normal shower with cool water), building slowly. You can stop any session or leave the study at any time. The research team is independent and has no financial relationship with the Wim Hof organisation; analysis and publication decisions are made independently.
Protections include
- Medical clearance before you start; regular safety review during the study
- Weekly check-ins with your instructor; concerns can be reported to the study team
- Optional blood tests — you can stay in the study without them
Learn more & get in touch
WHM breathwork & cold exposure — cancer-related inflammation feasibility pilot
Led by researchers including the University of Oxford (principal investigator). The public proposal and background are on ResearchHub; asking a question or registering interest does not commit you to anything, and you do not need to share medical details in a first email.
Email: jnasr@acoer.com, janejoneswellbeing@gmail.com, rafael@molecule.to
View on ResearchHubContact the study team
Choose how you would like to interact with us. This opens your email app with a helpful subject line — you can edit the message before sending. You do not need to include medical details in a first email.
How do you want to interact with us?
You can also write directly to janejoneswellbeing@gmail.com or rafael@molecule.to.
This page is for general information and does not replace medical advice. Participation does not replace your usual cancer care — always discuss new health practices with your doctor.
This application may use test networks for technical verification. No personal health data is stored on-chain.