7 Research-Supported Benefits of Saunas

Saunas are a brilliant way to reduce toxic overload. Here are many research-supported benefits of saunas that you should know about!

Saunas have become more popular in recent years, and there’s a good reason for that. One well-known benefit of saunas is detoxification. We are exposed to more than 100 times more toxins in our environment than our grandparents, and our bodies simply can’t handle that toxic load. Saunas are a brilliant way to reduce that toxic load because many chemicals prefer to be sweated through the skin rather than through urine detoxifying.

But there are SO many more sauna-use benefits that you should know about! Let’s dive into all the research-supported benefits of saunas.

Types of Saunas

Traditional saunas–Most of us have been in a traditional sauna at one time or another. These are commonly found in gyms and get extremely hot. They can be heated by wood or electricity and dry or wet.

Far-infrared saunas—These saunas offer thermal light therapy in the far-infrared range, though they don’t penetrate the body as much as near-infrared saunas do. Far-infrared frequency is a long wave, which produces more heat than a short-wave frequency. They also emit dangerous EMF levels, although some manufacturers are working to reduce this.

Near-infrared saunas—This type of sauna offers the most health benefits because they combine heat and light therapy. According to NASA, the light from this type of sauna can penetrate the body up to nine inches. They also emit very few EMFs, so they are safer to use. Near-infrared waves are shorter, so they don’t produce as much heat. Even though the heat isn’t as intense, the waves profoundly affect cellular regeneration, tissue growth, and other natural photo-biochemical processes.

7 Research-Supported Benefits of Saunas

Improves Tissue and Wound Healing

Several recent studies show that near-infrared sauna usage improves tissue and wound healing drastically. This therapy improves the skin’s elasticity by increasing collagen production, supporting tissue and wound healing, and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

Improves Focus

Regular use of a sauna increases levels of norepinephrine (noradrenaline) in the body. Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter and potent stress hormone that protects you from danger when you are under stress. Using a sauna regularly allows your body to experience “heat stress,” which releases norepinephrine. While we think of all stress as bad, it isn’t. The release of this hormone increases focus, attention, memory recall, and emotional management as your brain attempts to keep you safe in a stressful situation.

Reduces Risk of Alzheimer’s and Dementia

A recent Finnish study suggests that regular sauna use decreases your chances of developing neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s. Another study in the scientific journal Age and Aging suggests moderate to frequent sauna bathing lowers your chances of developing these neurodegenerative diseases.

Reduces Fat and Cellulite

Regular use of a near-infrared sauna increases heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and increases oxygenation while stimulating mitochondria to produce more cellular energy. Increasing your body’s metabolic rate improves digestion and promotes your food into energy. It’s been shown that far-infrared saunas can burn more than 600 calories in just 30 minutes. Near-infrared therapy also increases weight loss by stimulating the human growth hormone.

Reduces Stress (and Cortisol)

Cortisol, a stress hormone released by the adrenal glands when faced with stress or fear, wreaks havoc on our mental and physical health when raised for prolonged periods. Many of us experience high cortisol levels in our hustle and bustle world, causing us to live in a “fight or flight” state. Regular use of a sauna can have many positive hormonal effects, including reducing our cortisol levels significantly.

Improves Heart Health

Many studies have proven how sauna bathing improves cardiovascular health, lowers blood pressure, and increases blood oxygenation and circulation. One study even found that the more frequently men used their sauna, the lower their risk for cardiac arrest and coronary heart disease.

Impedes Tumor Growth

Sauna usage has been used for years to support other cancer treatments. The high temperatures experienced in a sauna can kill cancer cells without harming body tissue or normal cells. One study showed that using sauna treatment demonstrated an overall response of 13%. Far-infrared therapy has been shown to drastically impede the growth of solid tumor cells in the breast, brain, cervix, lung, head, neck, esophagus, vulva, vagina, and rectum.

Shopping for Your Sauna

Now that you have a list of research-supported benefits of saunas, you’re probably itching to get your own sauna. But when you start looking around to see which one you should get, you’re going to find a lot of differences in quality. For example, many companies use so-called non-toxic glue, fiberglass, plexiglass, plastics, plywood, putty, stains, coated nails or staples, and other potentially harmful products. You really have to do your homework before deciding on a sauna for your home!

Once we did all the research, we decided on THIS brand. Sunlighten Saunas are far and away the safest brand out there! I use my sauna several times a week (like when I want to hide from the kids) and see it as one of my must-have self-care rituals! We have The Solo, which is the best portable infrared sauna on the market. We can easily move it around the house so we can bask in it no matter what craziness is going on around us. And we also got a large wooden one that can fit two people. Sauna bathing is one of our most important health benefit routines!

If you’re looking to invest in a sauna, shop this link to save $600 on a big wooden one or $250 on the portable Solo. We have the M-Pulse and the Solo, and LOVE them both! If you are short on space, the Solo can fold up and be put into a corner or a closet.