If you wake up hungry and painful every morning, a man may have all the answers you need: Dr. John Harvey Kellogg. At 1893 Fair of the world In Chicago, Kellogg, famous for having created Kellogg corn, presented the so-called Incanded electric light bathtub. This innovation, which used Electric bulbs as light therapy to apply heat to the bodyThrown the basics of the modern infrared sauna.
The alleged advantages of a infrared sauna Offer many promises – from liberty to our members to the detoxification of our body and the The market is booming Nowadays, with expanding options inside well-being clinics and for the house. But can infrared saunas relax muscles, reduce stress and detoxify?
The results may vary, that you use them for, says Dr Vivek BabariaAn interventional doctor certified at the Commission and Sports Medicine on the Sports & Spine Center disc, which has seen the interest for the saunas – both traditional and infrared – after -confort.
What is an infrared sauna and how should it be used?
Infrared light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum which cannot be seen by the human eye, but can be felt as heat, as NASA explains. Like a traditional sauna, infrared saunas create heat, but there are key differences.
The infrared saunas do not become so hot, generally not reaching more than 140 degrees fahrenheit compared to a traditional sauna, which can reach Up to 212 degrees.
(In relation: The best infrared saunas))
Unlike traditional saunas, infrared versions do not use a wood stove or an electric or gas radiator to warm the air. Instead, they are counting on lamps that emit specific light infrared wavelengths to warm the body, with the potential to penetrate deep into the skin. “What science is trying to do is studying how well this wave is fine,” said Dr. Babaria.
Based on the research that exists, like this 2013 Study and its own opinion, Babaria suspects that the answer is about one to two inches at most.
Do infrared saunas actually work?
But why do we need infrared wavelength deeply penetrating in our skin? In the field of regenerative medicine and biohacking, experts explore how energy, including infrared light, can stimulate mitochondrial activity, a process that could support the body’s ability to heal and regenerate, said Babaria. Mitochondria, often called the powers of the cell, play an important role in the functioning and replica of our cells.
Science is still in the early stages, but there is growing interest in the way infrared light could activate these cellular components, said Babaria. Some believe that if infrared energy can penetrate up to two inches deep into the body, it could stimulate mitochondria, improve cell activity and promote faster recovery for our painful muscles and joints.
“We cannot directly correlate infrared rays in the stimulation of mitochondrial activity because science is limited in research documents,” said Babaria. “In theory, it makes sense. If the cells have less than two inches deep and you stimulate them, the mitochondria are potentially more active.”
What advantages do infrared saunas offer?
What we know, however, is that the heat offers therapeutic advantages to our body. A 2021 Meta-analysis I found that thermal therapy can reduce blood pressure and improve the capacity of blood vessels to develop and contract properly. Small studies, published in 2022 And 2015have discovered that the heat of the infrared saunas can help the painful muscles after training. And a 2009 The study revealed that infrared saunas can improve short -term pain and stiffness for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
The time spent inside a sauna could also make us more introductory. A 2019 The study of the elderly practicing yoga within a sauna revealed that it benefited from an improvement in flexibility. “If you can do 15 to 20 minutes in a hot sauna, where you can move your legs and even do stretching exercises, it could help you improve your amplitude of motion,” said Babaria.
However, with regard to the alleged detoxification services of the sauna, Babaria is a little more skeptical. The lymphatic system and the liver are the main organs of the body that are responsible for detoxification, he said. Although sweating through the skin in the sauna could help the appearance of pores, real detoxification occurs inside our body – not through our skin.
Should you use an infrared sauna?
The saunas – in infrared or otherwise – are not for everyone. People who find it difficult to detect temperature changes or to what extent is due to thyroid or cardiac problems, autoimmune conditions or peripheral diabetic neuropathy should avoid them completely. And be careful not to be dehydrated. Babaria does not recommend more than 15 to 20 minutes a day inside an infrared sauna and associate it with water or electrolytic drinks.
But whether it is more loose joints or better blood circulation, there are many reasons to sit in an infrared sauna, said Babaria – even if it’s just to relax in a warm and comfortable space and reset our mental health. “If it could simply put you in the right state of mind,” he said, “the rest of the body will follow suit.”
This story is part of popular sciences Ask us anything seriesWhere we answer your most bizarre and burning questions, from the ordinary to the wall. Do you have something you always wanted to know? Ask.
More offers, reviews and purchasing guides