The high heat provided by a sauna allows the body to release endorphins, which can certainly enhance your mood, but did you know hot therapy can also provide health benefits like reducing the risk of dementia? One doctor explains the reasoning behind the bombshell claim.
A doctor recently took to social media to explain the main mechanism behind saunas reducing dementia risk, also revealing how often you should experience hot therapy, as well as the ‘most favorable temperature’, since a sauna too hot can have reverse effects…
Study shows saunas can reduce the likelihood of developing dementia
A sauna is a room or building designed for people to relax in dry or wet heat sessions. It can provide benefits for cardiovascular health that resemble those derived from exercise.
Under the high-heat provided by a sauna, the body reportedly releases endorphins, which can minimize pain. As the body temperature rises in the heat of the sauna, blood vessels dilate, allowing for increased blood circulation, which in turn speeds the body’s natural healing process.
After hearing Dr. Daniel Amen (@BrainMD) state he is a fan of saunas as a guest on The Diary Of A CEO podcast, Kunal Sood, MD (@doctorsood) shared a TikTok video explaining the benefits of this particular heat therapy.
Dr Sood states using the sauna has been shown to decrease your risk of dementia and is based on a study involving around 1400 people from Finland, who were followed up 39 years later. It was found that people who use a sauna for 9 to 12 times per month, for an average of 5 to 15 minutes per session, are less likely to develop dementia later in life.
Scientists understand the main mechanism behind this is because saunas release what is called heat shock protein. This can help regulate cell function and protein formation, maintaining protein homeostasis in your brain.
Science Direct states protein homeostasis is the process of regulating the balance of intracellular functional proteins.
Saunas will also help maintain adequate blood flow to your brain by decreasing your risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Doctor reveals ‘most favorable temperature’ and more sauna benefits
Doctor Sood explains “the most favorable temperature to reduce your risk with dementia is between 80 and 99 degrees Celsius.”
However, if the temperature of your sauna is more than 100 degrees Celsius, this could actually increase your risk of the likelihood of developing dementia. Be sure to pay attention when setting the sauna temperature!
Heat therapy, dating back to ancient civilizations, leverages high temperatures to trigger the release of heat shock proteins, which enhance health by improving heart function, speeding muscle recovery, and boosting immunity, according to SciTechDaily.
It is found that heat has been used for healing purposes long before saunas were invented. For example, the ancient Greeks and Romans built public baths over hot springs and on man-made fire furnaces, and in East Asian history stones were heated by fire and placed on the body to deliver aid healing.
Heat shock proteins provide benefits surrounding better brain health, they help your heart, aid speedier muscle recovery, and they can improve workouts and immune support.
Note that drinking alcohol before or during a sauna can be dangerous. People with cardiovascular problems or women who are pregnant should seek medical advice before using a sauna.
Kunal Sood is a Double Board Certified MD (Doctor of Medicine) with a huge social media presence whereby he helps people improve their health IQ.
