Longevity, biohacking, quantified self, neurotic: these are all words that, frankly, weren’t in my vocabulary about a week ago.
I recently visited the New Health Center in Toronto to get a better understanding of what these buzzwords really mean and why a growing number of athletes, celebrities and other health enthusiasts are drawn to them.
Located in the heart of Yorkville, Supernatural is a unique facility founded by local health activist John Kuzman. The 5,000-square-foot space sits perfectly between Equinox and Whole Foods — arguably the brand’s best location for a space dedicated to longevity.
An entrance that leads to the supernatural.
Given my upbringing and mental health struggles in my family tree, I’m not exactly the poster child for someone who loves longevity. I mean, given everything in the world right now, why would anyone want to stick around long? But, alas, if I make it to 85, the average age for women in Canada, that’s a generous trick!
I’ll admit, a big part of me wants to take better care of my body and more importantly, manage this wild brain fog that I experience on a regular basis. I don’t necessarily dream of being “superbanging” like Bradley Cooper limitlessbut I want to be a better being, period.
On a recent Saturday morning, I found myself at Supernatural, trying the center’s three-hour First Time Protocol, an introductory circuit that offers treatments like cryotherapy and a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. As it turns out, the oxygen chamber was recently booked by Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram. If it’s good enough for the infamous BI3, it’s certainly good enough for me.
Outside the oxygen chamber in the superstructure.
The hyperbaric oxygen chamber itself is a futuristic-looking, four-person pod with an interior that resembles a fancy private jet cabin — or at least what I imagine it looks like, since I’ve never actually flown in a PJ…
For 30 minutes, I sat quietly inside, listening to music while breathing oxygen through a tiny nasal cannula (a soft tube placed inside the nose). The chamber operates by filling the pod with pure oxygen at normal atmospheric pressure. This causes your lungs to absorb more oxygen than usual, which is transported through your bloodstream to help your body recover.
It can support benefits such as tissue repair and wound healing while reducing inflammation and improving circulation, among the reasons why it is increasingly popular among all-star athletes.
Another chamber I entered, though only for three minutes, is a full-body cryotherapy chamber, about the size of an average shower stall. Supernatural’s website states that the chamber can “boost endorphins, reduce inflammation, increase recovery, and support cell regeneration.” They certainly weren’t lying about the first part.
The cryotherapy chamber at Supernatural.
Dressed in the provided towel, slippers, and hat, I ventured into the cryotherapy room while Charli XCX’s “365 Party Girl” looped through my headphones (although, in the moment, it felt like 365 Cryo Girl). The first few minutes hit me with a bone-chilling -25 degrees Celsius before plunging to an even colder -35 degrees for the last 45 seconds.
I expected misery and torture, but surprisingly, the music and headphones the staff gave me passed the time. When I got out, I felt empowered and empowered. The staff mentioned that some people use the chamber every day, and while I’m in no rush to make it a routine, maybe a bi-weekly session is worth it just for the endorphin boost.
My favorite treatment was re:set frequency therapy, a multi-sensory experience that combines sound, vibration, and light with music specifically designed to help your mind and body.
Then: set up a frequency healing room at Supernatural.
The staff suggested this after I said I was a very anxious, stressed person. It also fits with my New Year’s resolution to heal my nervous system.
I sink into the seat and instantly feel like I’m in one travel if you know what i mean. I also imagine this is what it must be like to play a real-life version of Rainbow Road in Mario Kart, with all the colors, music, and animation. It was so exciting that I wished it would never end.
After my B12 shot, the last treatment in the first time protocol was electromagnetic field therapy. Again, I just sat in the chair for about 30 minutes while the machine did all the work, sending low-frequency waves (which felt like taps) through my body.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy Room at Supernatural.
These waves are said to stimulate cellular electrical activity, reduce pain, improve circulation, and increase energy production at the “mitochondrial level.” It feels unusual and a little uncomfortable, but hey, now I can honestly say I’ve tried it, right?
Supernatural also offers other treatments that I’m excited to try at my next visit, including IV infusions and a lymphatic drainage suite.
Two lymphatic drainage suits tucked into a corner at Supernatural.
The full-body suit uses gentle, rapid strokes and rhythmic pressure to stimulate lymph flow (the clear fluid that carries waste, toxins and immune cells around your body). For people like me who can sometimes feel sweaty or “puff”, this seems like a quick and harmless remedy.
The waiting room at Supernatural.
I was skeptical about biohacking, and maybe a part of me still is. I am not completely converted, but after seeing Supernatural and talking to the friendly and very knowledgeable staff, I feel informed and equipped to explore these treatments further if I choose.
It is much more accessible than I expected. A first-time protocol costs $250 plus tax, while a 60-minute session in the oxygen chamber runs $125, and a quick trip into the cryotherapy chamber is just $68. For those who are truly committed to their wellness journey, the center also offers multipacks, making it easy to incorporate these treatments regularly.
At the end of the day, it’s all about what works for you. After all, it’s your body, your choice, your speed.
Supernatural is located at 55 Avenue Rd.
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