Heat Therapy.

I would encourage you to disrobe, light a candle, get your bathtub set up and ready because what is about to be shared with you is a top favourite methods on how to enhance your brain and body.

Hyperthermic conditioning cold water therapy

The use of heat therapy such as a traditional sauna is generally well tolerated by healthy adults and children.

Methods that are said to have similar effects to saunas could be a hot bath, steam rooms or infrared saunas. A budget-friendly way is to soak in a warm bath anywhere from 20-30 minutes to reap some of the benefits of hyperthermic conditioning.

Heat therapy has these effects

It gives the body a mock fever response, signalling to the immune system to produce more disease-fighting antibodies and white blood cells

Cellular regeneration. With continued use, the body may become more resilient to the biological stress of ageing (maintain youthful complexion)

Upregulates opioid receptors leading to a boost in endorphins, similar to the effects received from exercise commonly known as the “runners high”

Increased norepinephrine = crucial for focus and attention

Increased neurogenesis = growth of new brain cells which is linked to improved learning and memory

It has a profound effect on the endocrine system translating as hormonal adaptations and changes such as increased anti-diuretic hormone which helps to modulate blood pressure and growth hormone for optimal protein synthesis

Opens up pores which has a proactive effect on dry skin being beneficial for a-topical dermatitis such as eczema or psoriasis

Improved endurance and cardiovascular function. Saunas to a degree, mimic cardiovascular exercise

Improved insulin sensitivity

Detoxification claims

As the term detox is vastly used as a trend, functional healthy bodies have there own efficient mechanisms at detoxifying. Detoxification from sauna use via sweat contributes to the release of uric acid and sodium, very minimal toxins get released this way. Toxin removal is primarily done through our kidneys, liver and lungs coming out in our breaths, stool and urine. To ensure your body’s mechanisms are functioning adequately in conjunction with heat therapy, make sure to stay hydrated!!!

Disclaimer 

Proceed with caution and awareness of your body's distinct chemistry. What is being presented is for educational purposes only and not for the diagnosis, treatment or prescription of any disease.

Heat therapy is not a method you would choose while pregnant or after consumption of alcohol within 24 hour window as the biological response may trigger a state of hypotension in the blood.

References

Wilson, Lawrence D. "Sauna Therapy." (2003).

Hussain, Joy, and Marc Cohen. “Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic Review.” Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM vol. 2018 1857413. 24 Apr. 2018, doi:10.1155/2018/1857413

Kukkonen-Harjula, K, and K Kauppinen. “How the sauna affects the endocrine system.” Annals of clinical research vol. 20,4 (1988): 262-6.

Hussain, et al. “Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic Review.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Hindawi, 24 Apr. 2018, www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2018/1857413/.

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