Saunas have become increasingly popular in recent years, and social media is full of claims praising their miraculous health benefits. The last time I used a sauna was at a wedding in Ireland, it was a beautiful venue with a freezing lake and an adjacent sauna. The idea was to plunge into the lake and then reward ourselves by warming up in the sauna afterwards. I did feel less hungover after, but it made me wonder whether that was just placebo, or whether saunas really do offer genuine health benefits.
A review published in 2018 looked at the potential health benefits of sauna bathing. It included 40 studies involving nearly 4,000 people and found links between regular sauna use and potentially lower rates of heart disease, dementia, rheumatological conditions, and even overall mortality.[1] There were few downsides reported: one small study suggested sauna use might temporarily reduce sperm production, which appeared to return to normal 6 months after stopping.
Western saunas are thought to have originated in Finland, where early versions consisted of heated pits in the ground, dating back as far as 7000 BC.[2] Today, saunas remain deeply embedded in Finnish culture, with an estimated 3.3 million saunas in a country of just 5.5 million people. Though for most of us outside Finland, access is more limited, and while the evidence is encouraging, it’s still early days.
It is important to note that the association between sauna activity and health outcomes may just be a correlation, rather than a causative relationship. Sauna use may form part of a “healthy lifestyle,” with socioeconomic factors like income, education, and occupation also playing a role in health outcomes.[3]
For now, saunas seem safe for most people, potentially beneficial, and at the very least a pleasant way to relax, hangover or not.
👋 For the new joiners: I’m Suraj, also known as Dr Sooj - a primary care doctor & health content creator. I love navigating the complex world of health and wellness and breaking down complicated concepts.
Every Sunday, I share something interesting that weaves together science and medicine with real life. The aim is to help you live happier and healthier, without any fear-mongering!
Feel free to share this newsletter on your socials, and it would be amazing if you can forward this email on to your friends & family who love learning random things about their health. You can find the subscribe link here.
If you ever have thoughts, questions, or just want to say hey, you can reply directly to this email 😀
Suraj (Doctor Sooj)
References:
[1] Hussain J, Cohen M. Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic Review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018 Apr 24;2018:1857413. doi: 10.1155/2018/1857413. PMID: 29849692; PMCID: PMC5941775.
[2] Lewis S. Everything you need to know about the Finnish sauna. National Geographic [Internet]. 2024 Feb 3 [cited 2025 Dec 15]. Available from: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-finnish-sauna
[3] Kivimäki M., Virtanen M., Ferrie J. E. The link between sauna bathing and mortality may be noncausal. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2015;175(10):p. 1718. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.3426. PMID: 26436738