From Instagram-worthy cold plunges to the supplement made from “liquid gold,” today’s buzziest health trends merit a deeper dive.

These days, keeping up with wellness trends can feel a bit like Hercules battling the Hydra—the minute you feel like you have a grasp on one, four new trends pop up in its place. To help, ELLE examined the year’s biggest and buzziest—from colostrum to extreme protein to cold plunging—in search of an answer to the overwhelming question: “Does any of it even work?” Here is the lowdown from experts on whether or not you should test-drive these trends yourself and what the science actually shows.

Trend 1: Stimulating the Vagus Nerve to Ease Stress

Like Route 66 connecting Chicago to the American West, the vagus nerve acts as an information highway running from your brain to your large intestine. Unlike other nerves, it’s not one you can feel. Most of us don’t even know it’s there, but celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow have recently touted the benefits of “stimulating” it.

The nerve is thought to control resting and digesting, and sparking it could help release stress and get your body out of fight-or-flight mode, according to Gudrun Snyder, a doctor of acupuncture in Chicago. You can allegedly activate it through acupuncture, ear seeds that stimulate aural pressure points, or aromatherapy with essential oils like chamomile and lavender.

More controversially, you can have a doctor implant an electrical impulse near the nerve. There are vagus nerve bath oils, and Amazon even sells a “Vagus Nerve Deck” with exercises to “reset your nervous system.”

A 2020 study in Heart Rhythm O2 found that stimulating the vagus nerve through acupuncture may enhance heart rate variability and activate the parasympathetic nervous system to lower stress, though more research is needed.

Still, it isn’t a cure-all. “We’re still trying to find out more about [vagus nerve stimulation’s] efficacy,” says Terri Bacow, a clinical psychologist in New York. Talk to your doctor before trying anything.

Trend 2: Cold Plunging to Curb Anxiety

Although celebrities like Hailey Bieber and executives like Ari Emanuel have popularized cold plunging, the practice dates back to ancient times. Devotees like Andrew Huberman claim cold plunges can improve anxiety, mood, metabolism, and dopamine levels.

Controlled, large-scale studies are still limited, but a 2022 study in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health found increasing support for benefits such as decreased cortisol and improved mood.

In places like Othership in New York, cold plunging is as much social as therapeutic. Some use it as an alternative to drinking or for community connection.

Risks remain, including cold shock, hyperventilation, and heart issues. Plunge with caution.

Trend 3: Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers for Brain Function

Justin Bieber reportedly has one in his studio, and athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo praise them for reducing inflammation and improving recovery. These chambers deliver increased oxygen under pressure, which dissolves into the blood.

The FDA approved hyperbaric oxygen therapy in 2021 for issues such as burns and wound healing. It has also become popular in aesthetics to reduce surgery recovery time.

Risks include over-oxygenation and issues for those with lung or ear pressure disorders. Some devices sold online are unsafe, and the FDA warns against homemade chambers due to suffocation and fire risks.

While promising, more studies—especially related to brain health, injuries, and long-COVID—are needed.

Trend 4: The High-Protein Diet

Protein is essential for building muscle and maintaining bone density. A typical recommendation is one gram of protein per two pounds of body weight, so a 170-pound woman should aim for around 62 grams per day.

High-protein influencers, however, push extreme intake—often 150 grams per day or more, mostly from meat and dairy. They claim benefits like balanced hormones, fat loss, and clear skin.

There is no evidence supporting these claims.

Some studies show harm:
• ISRN Nutrition linked high-protein diets to increased coronary disease and cancer risk.
• A 2024 Nature Metabolism study found risks outweigh benefits.

Dietitians warn that extreme protein intake can cross into disordered-eating behaviors.

Trend 5: Colostrum Supplements for Gut Health

Colostrum—thicker and more golden than breast milk—is the first milk mothers produce after giving birth. It contains immunoglobulins, antimicrobial peptides, and growth factors.

Brands like Armra and Cowboy Colostrum now sell bovine colostrum as a supplement. Some users treat it like a natural Lactaid.

A 2021 study in Frontiers in Nutrition found colostrum shows promise for GI improvement and inflammation reduction due to its prebiotics.

But more research is needed, and colostrum is not a miracle cure. Dietitians recommend skepticism toward sweeping health claims.

Trend 6: Tricked-Out Wellness Clubs

The newest social hotspots aren’t bars—they’re wellness clubs. These spaces feature infrared saunas, cryotherapy, IV drips, and bone broth on tap.

Community is a major pillar of wellness. Studies have suggested that loneliness can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Clubs like Remedy Place emphasize connection, group contrast therapy, and social health.

Other clubs offer rooftop IV therapy or group recovery sessions. Running clubs like Cooldown Running are also expanding nationwide.

Trend 7: Human Design, the New Self-Help Tool

Human design blends astrology, kabbalah, Myers-Briggs, I Ching, and quantum physics into a system designed to reveal your “true purpose.” Practitioners generate a BodyGraph based on your birth date, time, and location.

Key components include:
• Type — your energy category
• Strategy — how you best move through life
• Profile — personality tendencies

For example, based on public estimates, Taylor Swift’s chart suggests she is a projector (a guide), with splenic authority (instinct-driven) and a 5/1 profile (an adaptable problem-solver).

Coaches say the purpose is not prediction but usefulness—helping people clarify direction during transitions.

Trend 8: Myers-Briggs for the Meme Generation

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), originally created for workplace leadership testing, has reemerged through TikTok, where Gen Z uses it for self-reflection and community.

People categorize themselves and even fictional characters by MBTI type to understand personalities and patterns. For instance, Jo from Little Women is often typed as ENFP, and Laurie as ISFP.

Critics say the test has biases because it relies on self-perception. Therapists note that its real benefit is the introspection it prompts, not the final score.

Contributors

Kathleen Hou – Beauty Director, ELLE
Katie Berohn – Beauty Editor, ELLE
Tasha Nicole Smith – Beauty Assistant, ELLE

Source:
https://www.elle.com/beauty/health-fitness/a63552661/modern-wellness-trends-guide/