Head massager and cold water therapy for feeling relaxed and decreasing stress

August 31, 2026··

I've been waking at 3am with cortisol surges and needed to massage my scalp to feel better and go back to sleep. So I bought a head wire massager off Amazon for a few quid and it's the best thing, it improves my mood and relaxes me so much. I also use cold water therapy even if I just run the cold tap over my hands and arms during the day, it also helps me. Then I googled why and saw that the head massager increases dopamine and serotonin and lowers cortisol. It's perfect and doesn't have any side effects just benefits. I'll be using it every day on my journey off. So I wanted to share because maybe this could help someone else in a similar situation to me. Wishing you well 🪷

Seroquel — 400— 22 years —down to 100 in 6 months, 100 is taking a lot of time to get used to so resting on 100 for as long as it takes. holding | without clinician

4 Replies

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Catina18d ago

Community AnchorEffexor

Very interesting....thanks for sharing! My best friend is tapering Paxil and struggles with cortisol surges during the night. I'm going to recommend this to her. 👍

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.92 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Levothyroxine - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

Horizon18d ago

NavigatorSeroquel · holding

I really hope this helps her get back to sleep aswell 😴🪷

Seroquel — 400— 22 years —down to 100 in 6 months, 100 is taking a lot of time to get used to so resting on 100 for as long as it takes. holding | without clinician

Maria A.18d ago

LighthouseZoloft · active

I’ve been dealing with a bout of horrific insomnia and I’ve found that cold compressions on my head, behind my neck and on my chest have really helped my body calm down.

Zoloft —50 mg to 15 mg — 8 years with a cold turkey and reinstatement in between— was liquid micro tapering, crashed at 14.275 mg and now holding at 15 mg.

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Catina18d ago

Community AnchorEffexor

Thanks for your input @Maria A. Yes, ice seems to help with these things so much! I think it's called the Diving Reflex.

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