A young woman living in the coldest city in the world has revealed some of the negative impacts that extreme cold has on the body, along with months of very little sunlight.
YouTube creator Kiun B lives in the Siberian city of Yakutsk, where temperatures are known to drop below -83.9°F (-64.4°C) in winter and thaw a bit in summer, with a daily average of around 68°F (20C).
In a new video, he also explains that “thick fog obscures the sun for most of the year” and that the metropolis looks like “a scene from a science fiction movie.”
During the short film, Kiun discusses the damaging effects of cold and darkness on his physical and mental well-being, starting with frostbite.
YouTube creator Kiun B lives in the Siberian city of Yakutsk, where temperatures are known to drop below -83.9°F (-64.4°C) in winter.
In a new video, he also explains that “thick fog obscures the sun for most of the year” and that the metropolis can be compared to “a scene from a science fiction movie.”
During the short film, Kiun discusses the damaging effects of cold and darkness on his physical and mental well-being, starting with vitamin deficiency.
Showing a series of rather gruesome video clips of locals stricken with severe burns to their fingers, Kiun explains: “IIn Yakutsk life doesn’t stop (when it’s cold).
‘WWe still go out, go to school and work. In Yakutsk, frostbite and hypothermia are almost as common as the cold itself.’
Kiun says he often ends up with “slight frostbite” on the exposed parts of his face, which are mainly his nose and cheeks.
When you start to feel “numbness,” one of the symptoms of frostbite, “run to a warm place like a shopping center or a heated bus station” to avoid serious damage.
The filmmaker says the condition is a big problem among the homeless community and because of this, the government has taken steps to “build more shelters to provide warmth and protection.”
Hospitals also have specialized wards and specific doctors to treat “even the worst cases” and, in addition, “all citizens and residents have access to free basic health services.”
As some of the communities in the Yakutsk region are widely dispersed, Kiun says some people die during long journeys, as some journeys can last up to 48 hours.
The Siberian native reveals: ‘In such cold weather, car batteries can freeze and leave travelers trapped… which can be fatal. Sadly, hundreds of people freeze to death in Yakutsk every year.’
Showing a series of rather gruesome video clips of locals stricken with severe frostbite burns to their fingers, Kiun explains: “Suffering from frostbite and hypothermia is almost as common as the cold.”
As some of the communities in the Yakutsk region are widely dispersed, Kiun says some people die during long journeys, as some journeys can last up to 48 hours.
In addition to severe cold damage, Kiun says respiratory problems are rife in Yakutsk.
Detailing why this happens, he says: “Frigid air can really stress your breathing.
“So during the really cold days here, we often cover our faces completely and that not only protects our skin but also protects our lungs.
“I also heard many times from newcomers who came to visit Yakutsk for the first time how difficult it is to breathe the air.”
Moving on to the next topic, Kiun addresses vitamin deficiency.
Kiun explains to viewers on the topic: ‘Vitamin deficiency, especially vitamin D, is also a major concern in Yakutsk due to our extreme climate and limited exposure to sunlight during the long winter months.
“As you may know, vitamin D is crucial to our bone health, immune function, and overall well-being. I have been dealing with vitamin D and anemia for as long as I can remember.”
Many people in Yakutsk don’t eat many vegetables, Kiun says, which also means they lack certain nutrients.
In an attempt to help his body, Kiun takes vitamin D and iron pills.
In the documentary, she attends a medical check-up with her sister and the doctors confirm that the pills have helped with her vitamin D levels, as tests show they are above average.
However, her sister’s levels are very low and she tells viewers that she will need to take supplements to improve them.
Another complaint related to a lack of sunlight, Kiun says, is a type of depression known as seasonal affective disorder.
In the documentary, Kiun attends a medical checkup with her sister and the doctors confirm that the pills have helped with her vitamin D levels. However, her sister will need supplements.
“It’s been really helpful to connect with a therapist online…Having therapy sessions has helped me understand myself better,” Kiun says when addressing mental health.
She comments on the topic: ‘In winter, the lack of sunlight and the constant cold can make you very depressed.
“It’s hard to even go outside when you have to bundle up in hundreds of layers, so we spend a lot of time indoors.
“But staying at home all the time can make you feel really tired, sleepy and I can feel my mood dropping.”
Kiun says finding mental health help in Yakutsk is “not easy” and “especially in remote areas.”
However, in recent years access to resources has become easier thanks to the internet and he has been using the mental health platform BetterHelp for more than a year.
‘It’s been really helpful to connect with an online therapist… H“Attending therapy sessions has helped me understand myself better and explain the reasons behind my feelings,” she says.
One of the third topics Kiun addresses is infertility.
She claims that cold weather can affect “internal organs” along with vitamin deficiencies.
However, Neelkanth IVF clinic claims that cold weather and infertility are often incorrectly linked.
He clinic website says: ‘While the idea that cold weather has a negative impact on fertility may be intriguing, scientific evidence does not support this idea as an important factor in conception.
“Instead, age, reproductive health, lifestyle choices, timing, and emotional well-being are more critical aspects to consider when trying to conceive.”
While celebrities and health buffs alike have recently turned to cryotherapy and cold water therapy to prevent aging, Kiun says sub-zero temperatures aren’t all that pleasant where she is.
Referring to recent findings, he states: ‘Studies have shown that in Yakutsk we tend to age faster.
“Although cryotherapy is known for its health benefits, including slowing aging, our situation is more complex. Research has found that our long-term adaptation to the harsh climate leads us to biologically age three to four years faster than Caucasians.
‘This accelerated aging is thought to be due to our increased metabolic rate, as our bodies work harder to generate the energy needed to warm up.
“It’s very interesting… because I always thought that living in Yakutsk slows down our aging.”
To date, Kiun’s video detailing life in Yakutsk has been viewed more than 160,000 times, with many viewers thanking him for his insights.
One viewer wrote: ‘I love watching your videos. I could never live in a place so cold.
Another fan added: ‘By the way, I love the channel, it’s very interesting and informative. It helps me endure the Hungarian winter (for you very mild, even warm)!’