As part of your body's natural response to 'heat stress' your brain will release its 'feel good chemicals' - serotonin, endorphins and dopamine. The longer term benefits of this are now starting to be understood, with many studies showing the positive impact heat therapy can have on:

• Anxiety and stress 
• Depression and other related symptoms; and
• Reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease

How heat therapy helps to improve your mental well-being

Anxiety and stress

People often comment that using heat therapy like an infrared sauna helps to reduce their anxiety and stress levels. The reason for this is that heat therapy has been shown to increase your body's production of serotonin, endorphins and dopamine, whilst simultaneously reducing your body's level of cortisol (the stress hormone).

This was demonstrated in a clinical study from the Institute of Health Promotion & Research in Finland which looked at haemodynamic and hormonal changes in people after temporary heat exposure. The study analysed blood samples taken from participants and found that all participants hand an increase in beta-endorphin immunoreactivity whilst also having a decrease in cortisol.

This feeling of reduced stress and anxiety was also something shared by former Miss Universe Australia winner Rachel Finch, who made this post to Instagram.

Further reading:

• US National Library of Medicine - Haemodynamic and hormonal responses to heat exposure in a Finnish sauna bath
  
• US National Library of Medicine - Effects of saunas on psychological states

Depression and other related symptoms

The effect that heat therapy has on triggering the release of your body's 'feel good chemicals' is not just limited to anxiety and stress however. A study out of Kagoshima University Hospital in Japan looked at the effect of regular heat therapy on 28 patients who were mildly depressed with general fatigue, appetite loss, and mental complaints.

After completing five sessions per week for four weeks, the study found that:

"Four weeks after admission, somatic complaints, hunger, and relaxation scores significantly improved and mental complaints slightly improved... These findings suggest that repeated thermal (heat) therapy may be useful for mildly depressed patients..."

Further reading:

• US National Library of Medicine - Repeated thermal therapy diminishes appetite loss and subjective complaints in mildly depressed patients.

Reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease

One of the more remarkable findings to come out of the research into heat therapy is the effect it appears to have on the risk of developing Alzheimer's and other degenerative diseases.

This was demonstrated in the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor (KIHD) Study, conducted by the University of Eastern Finland, which has been running for over 35 years and has involved 2,682 participants. During this study is was shown that people who used the sauna regularly had:

• A 66 percent lower risk of developing dementia and a 65 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease; and 
• People who used the sauna four to seven times per week were 77 percent less likely to develop psychotic disorders of any kind.

Further reading:

• University of Eastern Finland - KIHD Study

Conclusion

While you should always consult your doctor or health care professional when considering what is right for you, the studies referenced on this page indicate a compelling link between regular heat therapy and improved mental well-being.

The Heat Healer has been designed as a heat therapy device that offers all the same benefits of a typical infrared sauna, only experienced in the privacy and convenience of your own home.

If you have any questions, jump over to our contact us page and we will be happy to respond to you directly.