title: "Infrared Sauna Benefits: What 30+ Studies Show" slug: infrared-sauna-guide type: guide description: "A comprehensive, research-backed guide to infrared sauna therapy. We reviewed 30+ clinical studies on cardiovascular health, pain relief, detoxification, skin, and mental health to separate evidence from hype." date: 2026-03-22

Infrared Sauna Benefits: What 30+ Studies Show

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your physician before starting any new wellness therapy, especially if you have cardiovascular conditions, are pregnant, or take medications. SpaLens may earn a commission from partner links at no extra cost to you. See our terms for details.

Table of Contents

1. How Infrared Saunas Work
2. Far vs. Near vs. Mid Infrared
3. What 30+ Studies Show
4. Who Infrared Sauna Therapy Is Best For
5. Session Protocol: How to Use an Infrared Sauna
6. Cost Breakdown: Spa Sessions vs. Home Units
7. Safety, Side Effects & Contraindications
8. Home Units vs. Spa Sessions
9. Frequently Asked Questions
10. Related Reading

How Infrared Saunas Work

Traditional saunas work by superheating the air around you --- typically to 176-200 degrees F --- which then warms your body from the outside in. Infrared saunas take a fundamentally different approach. They use infrared light, a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum invisible to the human eye, to penetrate the skin and heat your body directly from within.

Think of it this way: when you stand in sunlight, you feel warmth on your skin even if the surrounding air is cool. That warmth comes largely from infrared radiation. Infrared saunas harness that same principle using specialized emitters --- carbon fiber panels, ceramic rods, or a combination of both --- to generate controlled infrared wavelengths.

Because the energy transfers directly to your tissues rather than heating the ambient air first, infrared saunas operate at significantly lower temperatures: typically 120-140 degrees F. Despite the lower air temperature, your core body temperature still rises by 1-3 degrees F during a session, triggering a cascade of physiological responses including increased heart rate (comparable to moderate-intensity walking), vasodilation, and profuse sweating.

This direct-heating mechanism is why infrared saunas have become a mainstay of modern wellness spas. For people who find traditional saunas oppressively hot or difficult to breathe in, infrared offers a gentler entry point to heat therapy with many of the same downstream benefits. You can explore infrared sauna treatments near you to experience the difference firsthand.

Far vs. Near vs. Mid Infrared

Not all infrared is created equal. The infrared spectrum is divided into three bands, each with distinct wavelengths, penetration depths, and therapeutic applications.

Far Infrared (FIR): 5.6-1000 micrometers

Far infrared is the most studied wavelength in sauna research and the type used in the vast majority of commercial infrared saunas. FIR penetrates approximately 1.5 inches into the body, reaching muscles, joints, and soft tissue. Most of the cardiovascular, pain relief, and detoxification research discussed in this guide was conducted using far infrared saunas.

FIR works primarily by generating a deep, resonant heat that raises core body temperature efficiently. This is the wavelength responsible for the exercise-mimetic effects documented in the literature --- the elevated heart rate, the increased cardiac output, the metabolic boost.

Near Infrared (NIR): 0.7-1.4 micrometers

Near infrared operates at shorter wavelengths and penetrates more superficially, reaching the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. NIR is more closely associated with photobiomodulation (sometimes called low-level light therapy), which stimulates mitochondrial function and cellular repair at the tissue level.

NIR is the wavelength most relevant to skin health, wound healing, and collagen production. However, it is worth noting that research from dermatology journals warns that uncontrolled NIR-A exposure at high intensity can accelerate photoaging rather than reverse it. Proper dosing matters.

Mid Infrared (MIR): 1.4-5.6 micrometers

Mid infrared falls between the other two bands and is the least studied in clinical literature. It penetrates deeper than NIR but not as deeply as FIR. Some manufacturers claim MIR is particularly effective for improving circulation and reducing inflammation, but the independent research base for these specific claims remains thin.

Full-Spectrum Saunas

Many modern infrared saunas marketed as "full spectrum" combine all three wavelengths, allowing users to theoretically benefit from each band's properties in a single session. While this sounds appealing, the strongest clinical evidence still centers on far infrared specifically, and the added therapeutic value of combining wavelengths in a sauna setting has not been rigorously tested in randomized controlled trials.

What 30+ Studies Show

We reviewed the peer-reviewed literature across multiple systematic reviews and individual clinical trials. Here is what the evidence shows, organized by health outcome.

Cardiovascular Health

This is where the evidence is strongest and most compelling.

A landmark review published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings by Laukkanen, Laukkanen, and Kunutsor (2018) synthesized decades of Finnish cohort data and found that regular sauna bathing was associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, hypertension, and sudden cardiac death. Men who used saunas 4-7 times per week had a 47% lower risk of hypertension and a 62% lower stroke risk compared to those who used saunas once weekly (Laukkanen et al., 2018).

A separate review in the Canadian Family Physician specifically examined far-infrared saunas across 9 studies and found consistent improvements in patients with congestive heart failure: better ejection fraction, reduced brain natriuretic peptide levels, improved ventricular arrhythmias, and enhanced New York Heart Association functional classifications (Beever, 2009).

More recently, Sastriques-Dunlop et al. (2025) published a review in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine showing that heat therapy replicates many physiological benefits of aerobic exercise, with particular promise for patients with peripheral arterial disease who are unable to engage in traditional exercise. The study documented improvements in walking distance, ankle-brachial index, and blood flow in affected limbs (Sastriques-Dunlop et al., 2025).

The proposed mechanisms are well-characterized: infrared heat exposure triggers vasodilation, enhances endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression, activates heat shock proteins, and reduces arterial stiffness. In practical terms, a single infrared sauna session produces cardiovascular demand comparable to walking at a moderate pace --- your heart rate rises to 100-150 bpm, and cardiac output increases significantly.

Chronic Pain and Musculoskeletal Conditions

A 2022 systematic review in the European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education examined 13 studies on infrared radiation for musculoskeletal conditions and found consistent decreases in pain levels across multiple conditions (Tsagkaris et al., 2022):

• Fibromyalgia: 21-52.7% improvement on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, with notable improvements in Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire scores
• Knee osteoarthritis: 12.5-25% pain reduction
• Ankylosing spondylitis and myofascial pain: Promising but limited evidence

The Hussain and Cohen (2018) systematic review also found that sauna-treated chronic pain patients showed an increased likelihood of return to work at two-year follow-up compared to controls receiving standard therapy alone (Hussain & Cohen, 2018).

Japanese Waon therapy studies, which use far-infrared saunas at 60 degrees C (140 degrees F) for 15 minutes followed by 30 minutes of bed rest with blankets, have consistently shown reductions in pain scores for patients with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. The protocol's combination of heat exposure and post-session warming appears to extend the therapeutic window beyond the sauna session itself.

Mental Health and Depression

The most exciting recent development in infrared sauna research comes from the mental health domain.

A 2025 UCSF clinical trial led by Dr. Ashley Mason enrolled 30 adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) in an 8-week protocol combining biweekly whole-body heating via a far-infrared sauna dome with weekly cognitive behavioral therapy sessions. The results were striking: 86.2% of patients no longer met criteria for MDD at their final assessment, and 96.7% of participants completed the trial --- an exceptionally high retention rate for a depression study (Mason et al., 2025).

The proposed mechanism involves the activation of thermosensory pathways that project to brain regions involved in mood regulation. Whole-body heating appears to stimulate the release of serotonin and beta-endorphins while reducing inflammatory cytokines associated with depression. Earlier research from Dr. Charles Raison at the University of Wisconsin found that a single session of whole-body hyperthermia produced antidepressant effects lasting up to six weeks.

It is important to note that the UCSF trial combined infrared sauna with CBT, so isolating the independent contribution of heat therapy is not straightforward. Nonetheless, the results add to a growing body of evidence suggesting heat therapy has genuine antidepressant potential.

Detoxification

Detoxification is perhaps the most contentious claim in the infrared sauna space, and the research paints a nuanced picture.

Proponents cite studies showing that sweat contains measurable concentrations of heavy metals including cadmium, mercury, lead, and arsenic --- sometimes at higher concentrations than found in blood or urine. A 2012 study by Sears et al. published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health found that induced sweating appeared to be a potential method for elimination of certain toxic elements from the body.

However, skeptics raise valid counterpoints. A 2018 systematic review found that most studies on sweat-based detoxification were small, used heterogeneous methodologies, and lacked rigorous controls. The kidneys and liver remain the body's primary detoxification organs, and the absolute quantity of toxins eliminated through sweat --- while detectable --- is small relative to total body burden.

The honest assessment: infrared saunas do induce profuse sweating, and that sweat does contain trace amounts of various compounds including some heavy metals. Whether this represents clinically meaningful detoxification or a minor byproduct of thermoregulation remains an open question. If you are dealing with genuine toxic exposure, work with a medical professional rather than relying on sauna sessions alone.

Skin Health

Research on infrared therapy and skin health is still emerging but shows some promise. The mechanisms are primarily indirect: increased blood flow to the skin during heat exposure delivers more oxygen and nutrients to dermal cells, while the sweating process helps clear pores.

Near infrared wavelengths specifically have been studied for their photobiomodulation effects, with some evidence supporting increased collagen production and improved wound healing. However, as noted earlier, excessive or poorly controlled NIR-A exposure can paradoxically accelerate skin aging by generating reactive oxygen species in the dermis.

Far infrared, which is what most sauna sessions deliver, has been associated with improved skin tone and clarity in small studies, though large randomized controlled trials are lacking. Anecdotally, regular sauna users frequently report improved complexion, but controlled evidence remains limited.

Sleep Quality

A 2024 comprehensive review by Laukkanen and Kunutsor in the journal Temperature found that regular sauna bathing was associated with improved sleep quality. A large survey of global sauna users found that 83% reported improved sleep lasting 1-2 nights after sauna use (Laukkanen & Kunutsor, 2024).

The mechanism likely involves the body's natural thermoregulatory response: core temperature rises during the sauna session and then drops in the hours afterward. This post-session cooling mimics the natural temperature decline that precedes sleep onset, potentially helping users fall asleep faster and achieve deeper sleep stages.

Athletic Recovery

Infrared saunas have gained popularity among athletes for post-exercise recovery. Research suggests that post-exercise infrared sauna sessions may improve recovery of neuromuscular performance and reduce delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after resistance training.

A randomized controlled crossover trial by Hussain et al. compared physiological responses to infrared sauna versus exercise in healthy women and found that infrared sauna produced cardiovascular responses analogous to moderate-intensity exercise, suggesting it could serve as a supplementary recovery tool for athletes between training sessions (Hussain et al., 2021).

Who Infrared Sauna Therapy Is Best For

Based on the cumulative evidence, infrared sauna therapy is most strongly supported for:

People with cardiovascular risk factors. The evidence for improved endothelial function, reduced blood pressure, and better heart failure outcomes is the most robust in the literature. If you have hypertension, early-stage heart failure (with physician clearance), or elevated cardiovascular risk, infrared sauna may be a valuable complement to standard care.

Chronic pain patients. Those with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid conditions, and chronic lower back pain have shown meaningful improvements in pain scores and functional capacity across multiple studies.

People seeking stress relief and improved sleep. The relaxation response triggered by infrared heat, combined with the post-session temperature drop that promotes sleep, makes this a strong option for people dealing with chronic stress, anxiety, or insomnia.

Individuals who cannot tolerate traditional saunas. The lower operating temperature (120-140 degrees F vs. 176-200 degrees F) makes infrared accessible to older adults, people with respiratory sensitivities, and anyone who finds the intense heat of Finnish saunas uncomfortable.

Athletes and active individuals. As a recovery modality between training sessions, infrared sauna can support muscle recovery and provide cardiovascular conditioning benefits on rest days.

Not sure which treatment fits your needs? Try our treatment finder to compare options, or explore the latest research behind today's most popular wellness therapies.

Session Protocol: How to Use an Infrared Sauna

Before Your Session

• Hydrate. Drink at least 16-20 oz of water in the hour before your session. Dehydration is the most common cause of adverse effects.
• Eat lightly. Avoid heavy meals within 90 minutes of your session, but do not go in fasted if you are prone to low blood sugar.
• Skip alcohol. Alcohol impairs thermoregulation and increases dehydration risk. Never sauna while intoxicated.
• Dress appropriately. Most people wear a bathing suit, loose shorts, or nothing at all (in private saunas). Avoid synthetic fabrics that trap heat.

During Your Session

• Temperature: Start at 120-130 degrees F and work up to 140-150 degrees F as you acclimate over multiple sessions.
• Duration: Beginners should start with 15-20 minutes. Experienced users typically aim for 30-45 minutes. The Waon therapy protocol used in many clinical studies uses 15 minutes of sauna followed by 30 minutes of rest under blankets.
• Frequency: Studies showing the greatest benefits used protocols of 3-7 sessions per week. For general wellness, 2-4 sessions per week is a practical target.
• Listen to your body. If you feel dizzy, nauseous, or lightheaded, exit immediately. These are signs of overheating or dehydration.

After Your Session

• Cool down gradually. Sit or lie in a comfortable temperature for 10-15 minutes. Avoid jumping into a cold shower immediately unless you are experienced with contrast therapy.
• Rehydrate. Drink at least 16-24 oz of water or an electrolyte drink. You can lose 0.5-1 pound of sweat during a single session.
• Shower. Rinse off to remove sweat and any compounds excreted through the skin.
• Rest. Many of the study protocols include a 30-minute rest period after the session, which may extend the therapeutic window.

Cost Breakdown: Spa Sessions vs. Home Units

Spa Session Pricing

Single infrared sauna sessions at spas and wellness centers typically range from $30 to $70 for a 30-60 minute session, depending on your market and the facility's positioning:

Urban areas command higher prices. A session in New York or San Francisco will typically cost 20-40% more than the same session in a mid-size city. Check out infrared sauna options in San Francisco if you are in the Bay Area.

Package deals and memberships bring the per-session cost down significantly. If you plan to use infrared sauna 3+ times per week (as the research suggests for optimal benefits), a membership typically offers the best value.

Home Unit Pricing

For those who want to invest in a personal unit, here is what to expect:

Operating costs are modest. An infrared sauna typically draws 1,500-1,800 watts --- roughly the same as a large space heater. At the national average electricity rate, that works out to approximately $0.25-$0.50 per session in electricity costs.

The Break-Even Calculation

If you attend a spa 3 times per week at $40/session, you are spending roughly $6,240 per year. A quality 2-person home unit at $3,500 pays for itself in about 7 months, not accounting for the convenience factor. For anyone committed to a regular practice, home ownership makes strong financial sense.

Safety, Side Effects & Contraindications

Infrared saunas have an excellent safety profile in the clinical literature. The Hussain and Cohen systematic review (2018) found no severe adverse effects requiring emergency medical services across all 40 studies and 3,855 participants reviewed. The Beever review (2009) similarly reported no adverse effects across all far-infrared sauna studies examined.

That said, infrared saunas are not risk-free, and certain populations should exercise caution or avoid them entirely.

Common Side Effects

• Dehydration: The most frequent issue. Easily prevented with adequate hydration before, during, and after sessions.
• Lightheadedness or dizziness: Usually a sign of dehydration or standing up too quickly after a session. Exit the sauna and sit down if this occurs.
• Mild hypotension: Blood pressure can drop during and after sessions due to vasodilation. This is generally temporary but can be problematic for people already on blood pressure medications.
• Skin irritation: Some individuals, particularly those with eczema or sensitive skin, may experience temporary redness or irritation.

Absolute Contraindications

The following groups should not use infrared saunas without explicit physician clearance:

• Pregnant women: Elevated core body temperature poses risks to fetal development, particularly in the first trimester. Avoid unless specifically cleared by an OB/GYN.
• Unstable cardiovascular conditions: Acute coronary syndromes, recent heart surgery, unstable angina, severe aortic stenosis, and uncontrolled heart arrhythmias (e.g., atrial fibrillation) are contraindications.
• Recent stroke or TIA: Heat-induced blood pressure changes could be dangerous in the acute recovery period.

Relative Contraindications (Proceed with Caution)

• Blood-thinning medications: Warfarin, heparin, and other anticoagulants may interact with the hemodynamic effects of heat exposure. Consult your prescribing physician.
• Multiple sclerosis: Heat sensitivity (Uhthoff phenomenon) is common in MS patients, and sauna use can temporarily worsen neurological symptoms.
• Open wounds or recent surgery: Wait until wounds are fully healed before heat exposure.
• Alcohol or drug impairment: Never use a sauna under the influence. Impaired thermoregulation dramatically increases the risk of heat-related injury.
• Children: Pediatric thermoregulation differs from adults. Children should use lower temperatures and shorter durations under direct adult supervision.

Special Populations

Older adults should start with shorter sessions (10-15 minutes) at lower temperatures and gradually increase as tolerated. The Finnish cohort studies included older participants who benefited from regular sauna use, but the key is gradual acclimation.

People with controlled heart failure represent an interesting case: multiple studies have shown benefits for this population under medical supervision, but unsupervised use is not recommended. If you have heart failure and are interested in infrared sauna therapy, discuss it with your cardiologist and ask specifically about the Waon therapy protocol.

Home Units vs. Spa Sessions

The decision between buying a home unit and visiting a spa depends on your usage frequency, budget, and lifestyle preferences.

Advantages of Spa Sessions

• No upfront investment. Try before you commit to a major purchase.
• Professional environment. Staff can guide you through proper protocol, especially as a beginner.
• Complementary services. Many spas offer infrared sauna as part of a broader wellness experience --- combine it with a cold plunge for contrast therapy, or add a massage.
• Social accountability. Having a scheduled appointment can help maintain consistency.
• Maintenance-free. No need to worry about cleaning, repairs, or electricity costs.

Advantages of Home Units

• Lower long-term cost. Breaks even within 6-12 months for frequent users.
• Convenience. Use it on your schedule, any time of day, with zero commute.
• Privacy. Full control over your environment, temperature, duration, and clothing (or lack thereof).
• Consistency. Eliminates barriers to maintaining the 3-7 sessions/week frequency supported by research.
• Family access. One purchase serves the entire household.

Our Recommendation

If you are new to infrared sauna, start with 5-10 spa sessions to confirm you enjoy the experience and feel benefits before investing in a home unit. If you are already committed to regular use and have the space, a quality home unit between $2,000-$5,000 offers the best combination of value and therapeutic benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to see benefits from infrared sauna?

Most people report feeling relaxation and improved sleep quality after their very first session. For cardiovascular benefits and pain reduction, the clinical studies typically used protocols lasting 2-4 weeks of regular sessions (3-7 times per week) before measuring significant improvements. The Finnish longitudinal data suggests that the most dramatic benefits --- the 40% reduction in all-cause mortality and 47% reduction in hypertension risk --- are associated with years of consistent practice. Think of infrared sauna like exercise: a single session feels good, but the transformative benefits come from sustained consistency over months and years.

Is infrared sauna as effective as traditional Finnish sauna?

The honest answer is that we do not have enough head-to-head comparison data to say definitively. The strongest long-term epidemiological evidence (the Finnish cohort studies with 20+ years of follow-up) was conducted on traditional Finnish saunas at higher temperatures. However, infrared saunas produce many of the same physiological responses --- elevated heart rate, vasodilation, increased cardiac output, profuse sweating --- at lower temperatures. Two systematic reviews found that infrared sauna therapy improved several markers of heart function in people with chronic heart failure, producing results comparable to what has been seen with traditional saunas. For people who cannot tolerate the extreme heat of traditional saunas, infrared is likely the better choice, as the best sauna is the one you will actually use consistently.

Can infrared sauna help with weight loss?

Infrared sauna sessions do burn calories --- your heart rate increases and your body expends energy regulating its temperature. Estimates range from 200-600 calories per 30-minute session, though the higher end of that range is likely overstated by marketing materials. Any immediate weight loss you see after a session is almost entirely water weight from sweating, which returns once you rehydrate. That said, infrared sauna can be a useful complement to a weight management program: the cardiovascular conditioning, stress reduction, improved sleep, and post-exercise recovery benefits all support the broader lifestyle changes that drive sustainable weight loss. Do not rely on sauna sessions as a primary weight loss strategy.

How does infrared sauna compare to cold plunge therapy?

Infrared sauna and cold plunge therapy work through opposing thermal mechanisms but share some overlapping benefits, particularly around inflammation reduction and mood enhancement. Infrared sauna primarily promotes vasodilation, increases heart rate, and induces sweating, while cold plunge triggers vasoconstriction, activates the sympathetic nervous system, and stimulates norepinephrine release. Many wellness facilities and practitioners recommend combining both in a contrast therapy protocol --- alternating between heat and cold exposure --- for potentially enhanced benefits. We wrote a detailed comparison at infrared sauna vs. cold plunge. You can also read our complete cold plunge guide for the full evidence breakdown on cold water immersion.

Are infrared saunas safe to use every day?

For healthy adults, daily infrared sauna use appears to be safe based on available evidence. The Finnish cohort studies that showed the greatest health benefits involved participants who used saunas 4-7 times per week for years without adverse effects. The systematic review by Hussain and Cohen (2018) found no severe adverse events across 40 clinical studies. The key is proper hydration, reasonable session durations (15-45 minutes), and listening to your body. If you are new to infrared sauna, build up gradually: start with 2-3 sessions per week and increase frequency over several weeks as your body acclimates. People with any of the contraindications listed above should consult their physician before committing to daily use.

The Bottom Line

Infrared sauna therapy sits in an increasingly rare position in the wellness world: it is genuinely enjoyable, widely accessible, and backed by a meaningful --- if still evolving --- body of clinical evidence. The cardiovascular benefits are well-supported by large cohort studies and multiple systematic reviews. The pain relief data, particularly for fibromyalgia and chronic pain conditions, is promising. The mental health research, highlighted by the 2025 UCSF depression trial, represents an exciting frontier.

At the same time, intellectual honesty demands acknowledging the limitations. Much of the strongest long-term data comes from traditional Finnish saunas rather than infrared specifically. Many infrared sauna studies are small, short-term, and conducted by a limited number of research groups. The detoxification claims, while not baseless, are frequently overstated by manufacturers and marketers.

Our view: if you enjoy infrared sauna and can afford regular sessions, the risk-benefit ratio is highly favorable. The safety profile is excellent, the experience is pleasant, and the potential upside --- particularly for cardiovascular health, pain management, and mental wellbeing --- is supported by enough evidence to justify the investment of time and money.

Start with a few sessions at a local spa to see how your body responds, then consider building a regular practice. Your heart, your joints, and your stress levels may thank you.

Ready to find a spa near you? Start your search here.

References

1. Hussain, J., & Cohen, M. (2018). Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic Review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018, 1857413. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5941775/

2. Laukkanen, J. A., Laukkanen, T., & Kunutsor, S. K. (2018). Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 93(8), 1111-1121. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30077204/

3. Beever, R. (2009). Far-infrared saunas for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors: Summary of published evidence. Canadian Family Physician, 55(7), 691-696. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2718593/

4. Laukkanen, J. A., & Kunutsor, S. K. (2024). The multifaceted benefits of passive heat therapies for extending the healthspan: A comprehensive review with a focus on Finnish sauna. Temperature (Austin), 11(1), 27-51. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10989710/

5. Mason, A. E., et al. (2025). Infrared Sauna Research Advances: UCSF Clinical Trial Data on Depression Treatment. Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/10/23/3172517/0/en/

6. Tsagkaris, C., Papazoglou, A. S., Eleftheriades, A., et al. (2022). Infrared Radiation in the Management of Musculoskeletal Conditions and Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 12(3), 334-343. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8946909/

7. Sastriques-Dunlop, S., Elizondo-Benedetto, S., & Zayed, M. A. (2025). Sauna use as a novel management approach for cardiovascular health and peripheral arterial disease. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 12, 1537194. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11933885/

8. Hussain, J., Cohen, M., Mantri, N., & O'Malley, C. J. (2021). Infrared sauna as exercise-mimetic? Physiological responses to infrared sauna vs exercise in healthy women: A randomized controlled crossover trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 64, 102798. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34954348/

9. Kunutsor, S. K., Khan, H., Zaccardi, F., Laukkanen, T., Willeit, P., & Laukkanen, J. A. (2018). Sauna bathing reduces the risk of stroke in Finnish men and women. Neurology, 90(22), e1937-e1944. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6262976/

10. Bauer, B. A. (2024). Do infrared saunas have any health benefits? Mayo Clinic Expert Answers. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/infrared-sauna/faq-20057954

Related Reading

• Cold Plunge Guide: What the Research Actually Shows
• Float Therapy Guide: Sensory Deprivation Benefits & Evidence
• Find Your Treatment: Match Your Goals to the Right Therapy

-- The SpaLens Team