Cardiovascular Health and Heart Disease
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2002. This study shows that repeated far infrared sauna treatment improves vascular endothelial function and cardiac performance in patients suffering from chronic heart failure.
By Imamura M, Biro S, Kihara T, et al., October 2001. A detailed study demonstrating that thermal therapy using infrared saunas enhances vascular function in individuals at risk for coronary diseases, offering a preventive and therapeutic approach.
PubMed, 2019. According to research on PubMed, while both sauna use and dynamic exercise can increase heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP), dynamic exercise generally leads to a significantly greater increase in both HR and BP compared to a sauna session; essentially, a vigorous workout will elevate your HR and BP much more than sitting in a sauna, although both can be beneficial for cardiovascular health in different ways.
PubMed, 2015. This study shows that Waon therapy (WT), (in Japanese, means soothing warmth, which is a repeated sauna therapy) improves cardiac and vascular endothelial function in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).
This study demonstrated that when matched for duration, EX+SAUNA and SAUNA elicit comparable acute hemodynamic alterations in middle‐aged participants with cardiovascular risk factors. The sauna is a suitable option for acute blood pressure reductions in those unable to perform aerobic exercise, and may be a viable lifestyle treatment option to improve blood pressure control.
Do Far-infrared Saunas Have Cardiovascular Benefits in People with Type 2 Diabetes?
Canadian Journal of Diabetes, 2010. A three-month clinical study found cardiovascular benefits and reduced waist circumference in people with type 2 diabetes who regularly used infrared saunas.
Potential mechanisms for the effects of far-infrared on the cardiovascular system
PubMed, 2019. Far-infrared (FIR) is a form of thermal radiation that may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. Clinical studies suggest that FIR irradiation may have therapeutic effects on heart failure and myocardial ischemia and may improve the flow and survival of arteriovenous fistula.
Chronic Pain, Muscle Recovery, and Flexibility
The Effects of Repeated Thermal Therapy for Patients with Chronic Pain
PubMed, 2005. This study demonstrates how repeated infrared sauna therapy helps alleviate chronic pain in patients, offering a non-invasive treatment option for long-term pain relief.
The Effects of Repeated Thermal Therapy for Two Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
PubMed, 2005. Focused on chronic fatigue syndrome, this research highlights how regular infrared sauna treatments improve symptoms, offering a promising avenue for individuals suffering from the condition.
PubMed, 2015. This clinical study concludes that far infrared therapy improves muscle recovery after intense training, as compared to passive recovery methods.
Mental Health and Immune System Benefits
Whole-Body Hyperthermia for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder
PubMed, 2016. A small, double-blind clinical trial conducted by The University of Wisconsin-Madison found that raising the core body temperature of depressed volunteers to the equivalent of a mild fever improved symptoms of major depression.
PubMed, 2015. A small investigation into the effects of repetitive mild hyperthermia found support for the body’s immune system, highlighting the immune-boosting effects of regular sauna use.
Fever and the Thermal Regulation of Immunity: The Immune System Feels the Heat
PubMed, 2015. This article explains how heating the body from the inside can improve the immune system in a manner similar to a fever, reducing incidences of cold and flu.
Effect of a Single Finnish Sauna Session on White Blood Cell Profile and Cortisol Levels
PubMed, 2013. This small clinical trial found that traditional sauna bathing significantly increased white blood cell count in athletes, suggesting immune system stimulation.
Hyperthermia in Humans Enhances Interferon-γ Synthesis
PubMed, 2009. Scientific evidence for the immune effect of increasing core body temperature to replicate what a fever does for the body’s immune system.
B Dr. James J. DiNicolantonio, Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute. This article explores the antiviral effects of sauna and other heat therapies, highlighting their potential role in reducing the risk of infections such as the common cold, influenza, and pneumonia. Sauna sessions mimic the body’s natural fever response, increasing core body temperature and activating heat shock proteins, which help reduce viral replication. Additionally, sauna use stimulates the immune system and enhances the cytotoxicity of immune cells. The paper reviews mechanistic, observational, and clinical data, suggesting that heat therapies may play a crucial role in boosting immunity, particularly in individuals vulnerable to RNA viruses.
Detoxification and Skin Health
Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury in Sweat
PubMed, 2012. A systematic review of scientific literature found that sweating assists in the removal of toxic elements from the body, particularly heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.
Blood, Urine, and Sweat Study: Monitoring and Elimination of Bioaccumulated Toxic Elements
PubMed, 2011. This small study assessed the concentration of 120 toxic compounds in three body fluids and found many toxic elements appeared to be preferentially excreted through sweat.
Effects of Infrared Radiation on Skin Photo-Aging and Pigmentation
PubMed, 2006. This study concludes that far infrared increases collagen and elastin in the skin and helps improve skin texture, offering potential anti-aging benefits.
Effect of NASA Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Irradiation on Wound Healing
PubMed, 2001. Based on NASA’s plant growth experiments in space, this study concludes that LED irradiation dramatically enhances the natural wound healing process.
Other Health Benefits
Association Between Sauna Bathing and Fatal Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality Events
JAMA Intern Med, 2015. by Jari A. Laukkanen et others. This study offers forward-looking evidence that sauna bathing can help reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), fatal coronary heart disease (CHD), fatal cardiovascular disease (CVD), and all-cause mortality in the general male population. Our findings suggest that regular sauna use is a beneficial health habit, though additional research is necessary to validate these results across different population groups.
PubMed, 2017. by Jari A. Laukkanen et others. In this male population, regular to frequent sauna use was linked to reduced risks of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. However, further research is needed to understand the potential mechanisms connecting sauna bathing to memory-related conditions.
Heat reversal of activity-based anorexia: implications for the treatment of anorexia nervosa
PubMed, 2008. From a translational perspective, these findings offer a fresh perspective on the disorder and underscore the need for further studies to assess the effects of heat treatment in patients as an innovative adjunctive treatment for anorexia nervosa.
International Journal of Oral Science, 2022. Bone regeneration remains a great clinical challenge. Low intensity near-infrared (NIR) light showed strong potential to promote tissue regeneration, offering a promising strategy for bone defect regeneration. hese findings suggest that low-intensity NIR light may promote in situ bone regeneration in a CRY1-dependent manner, providing a novel, efficient and non-invasive strategy to promote bone regeneration for clinical bone defects.