Can Saunas Make You Live Longer?

Dr. Max Levy explains:

When the heat is on…

In a traditional sauna with temperatures up to 90°C (194°F), heat sensors in the skin trigger the dilation of blood vessels and, simultaneously, faster heart rate. Skin temperature rises to around 41°C (106°F), and sweating helps release excess heat.

How it works: sauna heat stress resembles a moderate workout. Though not a substitute for exercise, regular use can strengthen the cardiovascular system and support recovery too. This is because like during exercise, muscle repair causes inflammation and waste buildup. Sauna-induced blood flow can also help deliver nutrients, remove waste, and balance inflammation for faster recovery.

About anti-aging properties more specifically: saunas increase levels of heat shock proteins, which repair DNA and maintain enzyme function. Normally with age, cells accumulate inflammatory damage. Evidence suggests sauna use can help regulate this process, but it’s surprisingly early days science-wise and there’s still a lot more experimenting to be done.

Spotlight study: in a study cited in the video, Finnish men who used saunas 4–7 times per week had lower risks of high blood pressure, improved cholesterol profiles, and reduced all-cause mortality. However, other lifestyle differences weren’t fully controlled for, and results may not be equally applicable to other demographics for a multitude of reasons (genetic adaptations, climate considerations, etc).

Caveat: obvious anything in the extreme can be dangerous, and saunas are by their very nature extreme (insofar as they deliver extreme heat). There are definitely some contraindications, including if you are pregnant, or on any number of medications that increase heat sensitivity. Talk with your doctor (and/or as applicable, pharmacist) first if unsure.

For more on all of this, enjoy:

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Take care!