The hot sauna has been used by Finns for around a century for its purported positive health effects. In fact, the use of the sauna is so entrenched in the in the culture in Finland that it has developed to some degree some somewhat religious undertones with even the existence of some fairy tales regarding an elven creature that supposedly lives within all saunas known as “saunatonttu.”
Regardless of the fact that many of the notable fact that many of sauna benefits claims may seem questionable to a few, quite a few of the supposed health benefits are showing some possibilities of merit when placed under the scrutinizing lens of science. Some of these benefits happen to include cardiovascular system benefits, and enhanced blood sugar control. With the prevalence of heart related disease in the U.S.A. it is an extremely positive thing that the nation has started to actually adopt the Finland originated tradition of sauna use.
Perhaps the the benefit most worthy of mentioning, however, has been that of the mind. Millions of people encompassing the entirety of the planet take medication in order to help them cope with their depression. Perhaps a lot of this would be unnecessary if they found out about the benefits of using the sauna. When an individual sits down in a dry sauna and lounges for a length of time the heat causes their body to activate stress systems, and then when they step out their body dumps huge amounts of endorphins.
Endorphins are the pleasure producing substance that binds with your natural opioid receptors. They numb down pain, and are ultimately what keeps gym junkies returning to the health club day after day. These endogenous chemicals help alleviate feelings of depression. Sauna therapy actually forces the body to release beta-endorphin in more abundant volumes than even most forms of exercise. Perhaps this explains why Finns have such a great tradition for it!
Other avenues in which dry sauna use may assist in the reduction of various symptoms of depression is through amplification of the release of noradrenaline. Noradrenaline is a endogenous peptide in the brain that has been targeted by a few different drugs for depression as well as a few other conditions. It’s also released in great quantities during forms of heat stress, and consequently might be indicative that sauna use might be used one day for some similar helpful purposes. As mentioned earlier, better insulin control is one benefit of sauna baths, and some studies have suggested that this might be a component of depression management also.
Glad you made it this far. Now that you’re finished with this article, please take just a few moments and sneak a look at: infrared saunas, and choline deficiency.