Sauna & Wellness: Scientific Research & Resources to Explore

Sauna wellness is a hot topic. 

Cultures worldwide have long cherished the purifying heat of the sauna, believing in its benefits - even without scientific evidence. In a search for proof or validation of these believed benefits, many scientists and researchers are conducting studies to help qualify and quantify them. They are exploring various heating modalities (sauna, hot tubs, and more) and their impact on everything from cardiovascular and mental health to stress and detoxification. This blog is merely a collection of some popular studies and sources to serve as a starting point for your consideration. 

Learn from the Experts AND Trust the Experience 

Before we dive in to the research and resources, we'd be remiss not to honor our Finnish roots and encourage you to embrace the tradition and be curious about saunas' unique benefits to you. Scientific data is amazing, but don't underestimate your personal experiences. After all, Finns have been enjoying saunas for centuries, passing on sauna rituals and routines generation to generation - all without the validation of data. This seems an appropriate moment to remind you that Finland consistently ranks the happiest country in the world (according to the World Happiness Report). Arguably this isn't attributed solely to their sauna practices, but rather their collective approach to life (which is designed to include regular sauna). 

All this to say, enjoy the science - there are some fascinating findings being uncovered and discussed. But, don't forget to enjoy the sauna, too. You may discover unstudied and unproven benefits within... 

Sauna Podcasts

In no particular order, here are a few podcasts from well-known voices that discuss the science around sauna:

• Found My Fitness, Episode: Dr. Jari Laukkanen on Sauna Use for the Prevention of Cardiovascular & Alzheimer's Disease
• Found My Fitness, Episode: How Sauna Use May Boost Longevity
• Found My Fitness, Episode: How to Increase Athletic Endurance and Muscle Mass through Sauna Use
• Huberman Lab, Episode 69
  Deep Dive into 'Deliberate Heat Exposure'
• Huberman Lab, Episode: How to Use Cold & Heat Exposure to Improve Your Health
  Guest: Dr. Susanna Soberg
• Joe Rogan Experience, Episode 1474
  Guest: Rhonda Patrick
• Joe Rogan Experience, Episode 1958
  Guest: Andrew Huberman
• Psychiatry & Psychotherapy: Sauna & Heat Exposure's Impact on Mental & Physical Health
• Body of Wonder, Episode 56
  Sweating it Out: The Scientific Benefits of Sauna Therapy with Joy Hussain, MD, PhD

Key Sauna Research to Consider

As you get into some of these popular resources, you'll notice many of them cite similar studies. Again, just to get you started, here are a few:

1. Association Between Sauna Bathing and Fatal Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality Events (JAMA Internal Medicine)
   April 2015
2. The Multifaceted benefits of passive heat therapies for extending the healthspan: A comprehensive review with a focus on Finnish sauna (NIH - National Library of Medicine)
   Feb 2024
3. Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic Review (NIH - National Library of Medicine)
   April 2018

Stay Tuned, Updated & Curious

Sauna, and other heat modalities, are being researched around the world. We are paying close attention to these ongoing studies, discussions, and discoveries, and will continue to share them here for you to reference as you continue your sauna journey. Our intent in sharing these resources is simply to introduce you to information that may be helpful as you discover the power of sauna in your life. Please honor your body's needs and consult your physician for sauna practices that support your health and well-being. 

Happy researching, reading, and discovering all sauna has to offer!