The Science
The studies behind the channel, with links to the original papers. Most are observational studies from Finland using traditional saunas. They show associations, not proof of cause, and they do not automatically apply to infrared.
Sauna bathing and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality
Laukkanen T, et al. JAMA Internal Medicine, 2015
About 2,300 middle-aged Finnish men were followed for roughly 20 years. Men who used a traditional sauna 4 to 7 times a week had lower rates of fatal cardiovascular events and death from any cause than men who went once a week.
Observational study of Finnish men in traditional saunas. It shows an association, not proof that sauna caused the difference.
Read the paperSauna bathing and risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease
Laukkanen T, et al. Age and Ageing, 2017
In the same Finnish cohort, frequent sauna users had a lower risk of being diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer's disease over the follow-up period.
Association only, in men, with traditional sauna.
Read the paperDoes sauna bathing protect against dementia?
Knekt P, et al. Preventive Medicine Reports, 2020
A separate Finnish population study (men and women) also found frequent sauna bathing associated with lower dementia risk.
Observational. Confounding by overall health and lifestyle is possible.
Read the paperSauna bathing and incident hypertension
Zaccardi F, et al. American Journal of Hypertension, 2017
Men who used the sauna more often had a lower risk of developing high blood pressure during follow-up.
Observational, traditional sauna, Finnish men.
Read the paperSauna bathing reduces the risk of stroke in Finnish men and women
Kunutsor SK, et al. Neurology, 2018
Frequent sauna bathing was associated with a lower risk of stroke in a cohort of Finnish men and women.
Association, not causation.
Read the paperSauna bathing reduces the risk of respiratory diseases
Kunutsor SK, et al. European Journal of Epidemiology, 2017
Frequent sauna use was associated with fewer acute and chronic respiratory diseases in Finnish men.
Observational.
Read the paperFrequent sauna bathing may reduce the risk of pneumonia
Kunutsor SK, et al. Respiratory Medicine, 2017
Men who used the sauna more often had a lower risk of pneumonia during follow-up.
Observational.
Read the paperCardiovascular and other health benefits of sauna bathing: a review of the evidence
Laukkanen JA, et al. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2018
A review of the sauna research. Most of the strong long-term data comes from traditional Finnish saunas, and the authors note that lower-temperature infrared saunas have not been shown to produce equivalent results.
This is why every infrared listing here carries a caveat.
Read the paperNothing here is medical advice.