Are Infrared Saunas a Viable Health Trend For Longevity?

With more and more people posting on social media about saunas and longevity, I sometimes get asked: is this the real deal, or just another passing trend?

My answer— this is the real deal.

I’ve been using infrared sauna in my own daily practice and with my functional medicine telehealth patients for years and have seen firsthand how powerful it can be.

And a growing body of research supports multiple synergistic benefits of infrared sauna use when it comes to improving several biological markers of aging. (1) This is not a quick fix kind of tool— it’s a strategy for sustainable cellular change.

Let’s talk more about how infrared technology can improve longevity, what longevity really means, how to get started, and I’ll also tell you what I love about my Sunlighten mPulse sauna specifically.

My Take on Longevity

We often talk about longevity in terms of an increased lifespan or chronological age, but longevity is really about the quality of your years, not just the quantity.

As a functional medicine expert, I’ve always been interested in biohacking and how to optimize mental and physical health in order to maintain clear, sharp thinking, fitness, and overall well-being over time.

In our modern society, we may be living longer than we used to, but we’re also experiencing an epidemic of accelerated aging, chronic disease, and cognitive decline. That’s why I focus on how I want to live as I get older (and the same for my patients).

Longevity isn’t just about living longer—it’s about feeling your best for as long as possible. That’s why I use and recommend infrared sauna therapy as a powerful tool for whole-body wellness and aging well.

Can Infrared Sauna Technology Improve Longevity?

Science overwhelmingly says yes, infrared saunas are a whole-body wellness hack that can enhance your longevity.  This is why I dedicate so much time to sauna use in my own personal life, recommend it to patients, and recommend it to others looking to upgrade their wellness routine.

Infrared is energy medicine. It activates your body’s natural healing mechanisms, working at a cellular level.

That means better sleep, glowing skin, and less pain for a healthier, stronger, more youthful version of yourself. Infrared therapy isn’t just about feeling good in the moment; it’s about reversing your biological age.

What Makes Infrared Sauna Different?

Why infrared specifically? The biggest difference between infrared saunas and traditional saunas comes down to the way they heat you up.

While traditional saunas use very high temperatures to heat the air and eventually heat you up, infrared saunas actually use light to penetrate your body’s skin barrier, raise your core temperature, and create a deeper sweat at the cellular level.

On a practical level this means using less heat and allowing you to reap the benefits more quickly and efficiently.

Research also shows that infrared technology can raise your core body temperature by 3 degrees. This is a therapeutic heat which is absorbed deep into your body’s tissues.

The different infrared spectrum wavelengths also each offer their own unique healing capabilities, from wound healing and improving signs of aging at the near-infrared level, to inflammation and pain reduction at the mid-infrared level and even deeper detoxification and immune system supporting benefits at the far-infrared level.

I’ve seen firsthand how Sunlighten’s infrared saunas help my patients elevate their wellness, supporting them in aging vibrantly and staying strong for the long run.

Infrared Sauna Impacts Key Markers of Aging

Infrared saunas can positively impact nearly all bodily functions through cellular optimization. Like healthy eating and exercise, infrared sauna is a lifestyle choice that has systemic, cellular, and molecular impact.

Infrared technology goes beyond just heat, it’s also light. (2) Infrared waves have the power to impact multiple key biomarkers of aging, which is one of the key reasons I recommend sauna therapy as part of a comprehensive anti-aging strategy for my telehealth patients.

Here’s how infrared sauna therapy can impact these 5 key markers of aging:

Gut Dysbiosis

Gut dysbiosis, or an imbalance between helpful and harmful bacteria in the gut microbiome, is at the root of all kinds of conditions and negative effects associated with aging, from autoimmunity  and digestive symptoms to metabolic syndrome and cognitive decline.

Infrared sauna helps to support a balanced and diverse gut microbiome by promoting detoxification and reducing inflammation, restoring the harmony of the microbial ecosystem.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction

As we get older, our mitochondria, which provide energy to the entire body, can start to become less efficient. This leads to less energy production, and an increased risk of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Infrared saunas boost mitochondrial function, stimulating more production of the body’s energy currency, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), helping to keep cells healthy and slow aging. (3)

Chronic Inflammation

I recently wrote about inflammaging, the chronic, low grade inflammation that becomes more common as we age and that is a central feature of most age-related diseases including dementia, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions.

Infrared sauna therapy can reduce inflammation and slow the aging process by increasing blood flow, stimulating the action of anti-inflammatory genes, and penetrating deep into the skin to activate helpful immune cells. (4)

Cellular Senescence

Cellular senescence occurs when cells that should be recycled instead resist death and linger in the body, creating inflammation and other harmful effects. This process is one of the key factors that influences aging, and is the subject of a lot of ongoing longevity research.

Infrared therapy can help combat this problem by cleaning up senescent cells (or “zombie cells”) and promoting tissue regeneration.

Stem Cell Exhaustion

The body relies on stem cells for effective tissue repair. But as we age, the regenerative capacity of stem cells has been shown to decline. This stem cell exhaustion is a significant contributing factor to accelerated aging and age-related disease.

Infrared sauna therapy can reduce stem cell exhaustion, helping to mobilize stem cells from bone marrow, encourage tissue repair, and promote healthy aging.

How to Get Started With Infrared Sauna Therapy

If you’re new to sauna therapy, I recommend starting low and slow. Recommended treatment times range from 10-30 minutes per session— it’s a good idea to start with 10 and work your way up if it feels good, remembering to always listen to your body. You might also want to start at a lower heat setting.

Consistency is key— stick with it! And don’t forget to replenish your electrolytes.

My personal ritual is typically to start with a workout and then spend about 30 minutes in my Sunlighten mPulse at the highest setting. I generally use my time in the sauna to meditate and ground myself, relaxing and regulating my nervous system while the infrared technology works its magic.

Other times, I just go straight into the sauna after a long day consulting with patients at my telehealth clinic. It really helps me to unwind and reset.

Why I Chose the Sunlighten mPulse Smart Sauna

After researching the best infrared saunas out there, I trust Sunlighten for its quality, safety, and effectiveness.

Sunlighten has multiple options to fit your space and budget needs, and they provide the highest quantity and quality of infrared on the market. They have been perfecting infrared technology for over 25 years, holding 33 patents.

I personally use the mPulse Smart Sauna. As a functional medicine expert, I understand that no two people have the same lifestyle or health case, making their sauna needs different as well. Each mPulse Smart Sauna includes technology that allows you to customize your sauna experience to exactly what you need the most.

You can use my code DRWILLCOLE to save up to $1400 on your sauna purchase from Sunlighten right here. I’m sure you’ll love your infrared sauna as much as I love mine.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored blog post. We only partner with brands that we believe will provide value to our readers.

Photos courtesy of Sunlighten.