August 2022 - Saunas.org

Sauna Buyer’s Frequently Asked Questions

By Saunas.org - Kat | August 30, 2022August 30, 2022 | Frequently Asked Questions, Sauna Delivery, saunas.org, White Glove Service

Is shipping included in the price of the sauna?

Yes, shipping is included in the price of your sauna if you purchase through saunas.org. The delivery freight company will reach out to you directly to make an appointment for the time and date of your delivery. Please note that delivery is curbside, which means you will need to be prepared to receive your sauna with two able bodied adults, and perhaps a dolly, as the sauna itself is quite heavy. Please refer to What to Expect on the Day Of Your Delivery for more details.

Is Assembling the Sauna Difficult?

The sauna assembly is straight forward. Your sauna will arrive in three boxes on half a palette. Paper instructions will be included in your sauna boxes and access to video guides to assembly will be provided for you. Each section of the sauna is quite heavy, so you will need two able bodied individuals present for the assembly. If you are interested in White Glove service please refer to this guide: How To Outsource White Glove Service.

What Is the Difference Between Ceramic and Carbon Heaters?

Carbon and ceramic heaters serve different purposes in our infrared sauna models, and one is not better than the other, just different. Carbon heaters are used to emit mid-far infrared light. The type of light waves that are emitted at this frequency are most efficient and healthful when a carbon heater is used. Therefore, if you purchase a far infrared sauna you will only have carbon heaters.

Ceramic heaters, on the other hand, are optimal for the emission of near infrared light and are only found in our full spectrum infrared saunas.

Ceramic heaters are used for near infrared light, while carbon heaters optimize the experience of far infrared heat.

Where are Your Saunas Made?

The vast majority of all prefabricated saunas sold by United States-based companies are all manufactured overseas in East and Southeast Asia. Our company prides itself in only working with manufacturers that prioritize safety and quality, and we do regular checks to ensure all of the saunas are being made with the highest attention to detail.

5) Will the Floor Heater Burn My Feet?

Some of our models on saunas.org come with a carbon heater on the floor. The placement of this heater is ideal for the transmission of far infrared heat as the bottom of the sauna cabin can oftentimes cool off quickly since heat rises. These floor heaters have a black velvet fabric cover that provides protection from touching the heater directly, as well as wooden paneling so that you can safely step on, or rest your feet on, the sauna floor. These safety precautions ensure you will not burn yourself on the heaters located in the floor.

6) Is There Tax On Saunas?

Sales tax is not charged for any sauna purchase on saunas.org, with the exception of California; residents of California can expect to pay 7.5% tax on their saunas due to local regulations.

7) What is the Lead Time On Saunas?

If the sauna of your choice is in stock, you can expect your sauna to be delivered to your home or business within 7-10 business days after your purchase. If the sauna that you would like to purchase is not in stock, then saunas.org will provide you with an estimated time for when that model will be available.

8) Is Financing Available For a Sauna Purchase?

Yes, saunas.org works in conjunction with Klarna to provide our clients with an option to finance their sauna. If you choose this option, you will move through the credit check and all associated protocols directly with Klarna. We are happy to assist with any financing-related questions should need more information.

Can Sauna Use REALLY Make You Smarter?

By Saunas.org - Kat | August 23, 2022December 17, 2023 | Health Benefits, Hormesis, Infrared Sauna, Neurological Benefits Of Sauna use

Is it possible that sitting in a hot box for twenty minutes, three times a week can make you smarter? Sounds silly, but research shows that when proper protocol is followed, saunas may improve neurogenesis as well as other neurotrophic factors. Although these neurogenic improvements do not necessarily correlate to intelligence, it certainly bodes well for brain health.

Whether you are looking to prevent degenerative diseases of the brain, improve overall brain function, or help maintain a healthy mind in your later years, it is worth considering the influence that regular sauna bathing has on the brain.

While all forms of sauna use have substantial scientific research to suggest that brain function is improved with use, this article will also include a special highlight on recent findings surrounding near infrared light and the human brain.

Near Infrared Light and Neurogenesis

Frontiers in Neuroscience published an article entitled: “Turning On Lights to Stop Neurodegeneration: The potential of Near Infrared Light Therapy in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease”, in 2016. The discoveries articulated in this publication were groundbreaking as it concerns the potential positive effects of near infrared light on the brain. (1)

In this particular study, near infrared light, as opposed to far infrared light, was used on animal species with serious head injuries. Over the course of the study, significant improvements were made in brain function, fine motor skills, and the replication of brain cells (neurogenesis).

The article goes on to explain in greater detail how near infrared light (NIr) effects cellular function in this statement:

“In addition to protecting and repairing damaged or dysfunctional neurons, there is emerging evidence from mouse models of traumatic brain injury that NIr also stimulates neurogenesis and synaptogenesis. In a series of studies using a mouse model of traumatic brain injury, Xuan and colleagues found that a NIr treatment regime that improved neurological performance, also increased markers of neural progenitor proliferation in the hippocampal region (i.e., dentate gyrus) and subventricular zone, brain regions known to harbor neural stems cells.” (1)

While this particular study focused on damaged or unhealthy brains, one can imagine that healthy brain exposure to near infrared light would aid in the prevention of brain degenerative diseases. It would also seemingly assist in the maintenance of healthy cellular structures in the brain.

There is clearly a powerful and unique relationship between near infrared light and cellular structures. This interconnectedness may help in maintaining a sharp acuity of brain function. Not all saunas include the near infrared spectrum of light, so if brain health is the name of the game for you, be sure that you are using a sauna that includes near infrared light.

The study goes on to state the following on mitochondrial health: “It should be noted that these studies have focussed on the effect of NIr on neurons; similar NIr-induced cellular mechanisms may also be at play within brain capillary endothelial cells. Mitochondrial dysfunction of these cells has been related to various vascular conditions, including atherosclerosis and hypertension.” (1)

Another article published by the National Library of Medicine “Near infrared radiation rescues mitochondrial dysfunction in cortical neurons after oxygen-glucose deprivation”, focuses only on the effects of near infrared light on mitochondrial function, which also plays a significant role in the health of the brain. (2)

Near infrared light positively affects ATP production (“ATP captures chemical energy obtained from the breakdown of food molecules and releases it to fuel other cellular processes” (3)), the energy conversion of each cell that occurs in the mitochondria. As energy is more easily converted into usable resources for the human body, the brain benefits from a plethora of biochemical changes. (2)

If you are looking to make some resoundingly positive biochemical changes in your brain, be sure to include near infrared light in your sauna. You will know that your sauna includes this spectrum of light because it will generally be referred to as ‘full spectrum’, rather than ‘far infrared’.

Saunas, Your Autonomic Nervous System, and Brain Health

Even if you do not have access to near infrared light, the brain can still benefit from a variety of different types of saunas. If you already have a traditional sauna, do not be dismayed, your brain will benefit from the heat stress incurred during any type of regular heat therapy.

When the body is placed into a sauna of any type, your body undergoes the transformative effects of positive stress or hormesis. At this moment of heat stress, the body begins to automatically regulate internal temperature by sweating. (4)

After sweating for about 20 minutes in the sauna, the autonomic nervous system, which may have been in a state of hyper alertness and vigilance, will gently move into a relaxed state of being called the parasympathetic branch.

When the autonomic nervous system has switched over to a state of relaxation, the body can begin a cascade of natural healing, and the mind becomes more supple. When the autonomic nervous system is in hyper vigilance, or sympathetic dominance, the perspective is externally oriented with a narrow focus as it scans the horizon for threats. There is little creativity or larger scale problem solving that occurs in this state of being.

Once stepping out of the sauna, the body and mind will have transferred into parasympathetic dominance, and its perspective will have changed. It may feel as if what was a major problem before taking a sauna suddenly seems like less of a threat, or perhaps a sudden inspiration will come to mind’s eye.

The relaxation that the body feels after a sauna is not only important for the health of the body, but also the mind. So, does sauna use REALLY make you smarter? Science demonstrates that brain health is improved with sauna use, and in addition, the changes that occur in the autonomic nervous system also allow for the mind to think in a different kind of way. This shift creates the potential for new neurological pathways to be formed which may open you up to a variety of different experiences and revelations.

If you choose a sauna for your brain health, make sure that you incorporate near infrared light if at all possible. Furthermore, if you plan to use a sauna to improve overall thinking patterns, creativity, and focus, you will want to make sure that you are using a sauna for a minimum of 3 times a week for 20 minutes.

Be sure to drink plenty of water and other fluids that hydrate your body before, during and after your sauna session. Be well!

Sources Cited:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4707222/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4156924/
https://www.britannica.com/science/adenosine-triphosphate
https://www.foundmyfitness.com/episodes/hyperthermic-conditioning

The Elderly and Infrared Sauna Use

By Saunas.org - Kat | August 11, 2022August 11, 2022 | Elderly, Infrared Sauna, Radiant Heat Vs. Convection Heat

Regular Low Temperature Infrared Sauna Use May Aid in the Prevention and Treatment of Geriatric Frailty

Increasing an individual’s healthspan or overall quality of life into the later years is a topic studied broadly. Typically, individuals are not looking to simply increase life expectancy, but rather to do so in a healthy body.

As people age and enter into the geriatric portion of their life, even if they are able to live free from disease, it is quite common to experience progressive clinical frailty. Frailty as defined by the scientific community includes the presence of a minimum of three of the proceeding traits:

Unintentional weight loss
Fatigue (Significant increase in prolonged and escalating levels fatigue)
Weakness or Muscular Atrophy (for example the decline in the ability to grip with the hands)
Slowness of movement
Physical Inactivity (1)

The progressive biological syndrome of frailty affects many elderly folks, but there may be ways to help ease the discomfort of some of these age-related changes. Reputable studies suggest that the use of low temperature infrared saunas show demonstratively positive effects on the quality of life for individuals between the ages of 66 and 93 years suffering from clinical geriatric frailty (2).

Thermal Radiation as a Source of Heat Vs. Convection Heat

The 2020 study that closely monitored 67 community-dwelling geriatrics found that low temperature infrared saunas were the most effective means of improving quality of life in this demographic (67-93 years of age). (2)

The study’s aim was to note any remarkable improvement in the clinical condition of frailty among the elderly when low temperature infrared sauna use was employed, while using very specific procedures and conditions.

Why were infrared saunas used instead of the traditional sauna, or steam rooms in this groundbreaking study?

The ability to heat the body using thermal radiation (infrared light) means that the body is able to benefit from both the qualities of infrared light to heal the body without excessive heat. Traditional saunas depend upon increasing the atmospheric temperature of the sauna and heat the body up from the outside in. The intensity of the heat of a traditional sauna is dangerously high for many elderly individuals, as well as for children. Infrared saunas, however, rely on the radiant light waves of infrared light to heat the body up as well as the cabin structure. This means that even a low ambient temperature as can be acquired in an infrared sauna structure still demonstrated a significant impact on the overall health of the participants of the study.

The results were so positive from far infrared low temperature sauna use that researchers have developed an acronym to describe this highly effective treatment: FlLTS (Far infrared Low Temperature Sauna).

With a low temperature the researchers were able to eliminate many of the risks associated with extreme heat and yet still found very positive results amongst its geriatric participants.

Here are more details of how the study was conducted:

“The intervention study involved 67 adults between the ages of 66 and 93 years who had been classified as having some degree of frailty. The participants sat in a 60°C infrared sauna for 15 minutes and then rested while lying down and covered with a warm blanket for an additional 30 minutes. The sauna sessions were conducted twice a week for three months.

The authors of the study assessed the participants’ muscle mass, body mass, physical strength, walking speed, cardiorespiratory fitness, cognitive function and mood before and after the intervention. They weighed the participants before and after each sauna session and instructed them to drink sufficient water to compensate for sweat losses.

They found that 26 percent of the participants showed improvements on measures of frailty. The remainder showed no change or declined (~2 percent). These findings suggest that infrared saunas use ameliorate measures of frailty in older adults.” (1)

The conclusion of the study published by Geriatrics Gerontology states the following:

“A 3-month FILTS program ameliorates geriatric syndrome, the severity of frailty and frailty related indices in older Japanese people” (2)

How To Use An Infrared Sauna For the Elderly to Reduce Frailty

If you plan to use a low temperature infrared sauna as a treatment for yourself or a loved one to reduce geriatric frailty, then you will want to follow a similar protocol as used in the study mentioned above.

Most likely you will want to have a sauna in your home to reduce the risk of bacterial encounters that may occur in spa and gym saunas. Furthermore, to follow the procedure correctly and accurately, you will want to have a safe space to lie down afterwards as you are wrapped in blankets.

The protocol as executed in the study is as follows:

Set Your Infrared (far infrared or full spectrum) Sauna To 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit
Once the temperature has been reached, sit in the sauna for 15 minutes
After the sauna, assume a supine position and wrap the individual in blankets for 30 minutes.
Be sure to hydrate well, before, during, and after sauna use.
There should be another able bodied person available for support entering and exiting the sauna. (2)

The demonstrable results of the study performed on community living individuals between the ages of 67 and 93 was very positive, and gives hope to those either looking to prevent geriatric frailty or treat it.

In addition to successfully reducing clinical geriatric frailty, many other findings were discovered regarding heart health, diabetes, and brain degenerative conditions. (2)

Sauna therapy provides many measurable and positive benefits to individuals of all walks of life, but we do encourage you to always consult a medical professional before beginning a sauna treatment.

*** “Ethical considerations ***

“This study was approved by the ethics committee of the Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology (authorization number: 240301) and conformed with the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. All participants gave their written informed consent before data collection.” (2)

Sources Cited

https://www.foundmyfitness.com/news/stories/1inrfv

2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ggi.14003

What Is Heat Stress?

By Saunas.org - Kat | August 2, 2022December 17, 2023 | Heat Shock Proteins, Hormesis, Infrared Sauna, Neurological Benefits Of Sauna use

Saunas are thought to be places of deep relaxation – so why is heat stress considered to be an integral part of an optimized sauna experience? Heat stress sounds like the antithesis of a relaxing time. What is the difference between unhealthy stress and beneficial stress?

Let us pull the curtain back and find out exactly what heat stress is, and how it can benefit human physiology. What is the correlation between the heat stress that occurs in the sauna and the plethora of health benefits associated with regular sauna bathing?

By uncovering the meaning of hormesis (as a general concept), a gateway is opened to understanding the benefits of intentional and timed physical stress on the body. Eventually, with a little exploration into positive stress, it begins to be apparent why heat stress is an important part of creating an optimal internal and healthy environment within the body.

What Is Healthy Stress Versus Unhealthy Forms Of Stress: Understanding Hormesis

What are some examples of hormesis?

Exercise (provided it is not overdone)
Certain breathing techniques (holotropic breathing)
Active types of yoga (power yoga)
Cold plunges or icing a region after injury
Heat therapies
Physical therapies

There are times when deliberate stress is placed upon the physical body for a measured duration or quantity of time in order to open up new genetic pathways that eventually lead to resiliency and relaxation. The word to understand in this context, (for those familiar with the biology lab will already know) is hormesis.

The word hormesis is used regularly by ‘biohackers’ or a range of individuals involved in promoting tricks and practices on the internet to sell products, as well as by real biologists. It is important to understand the essence of hormesis: In short, it is a ‘healthy’ kind of intentional stress placed on the body so that the end result is one that is highly positive for the body.

Many activities will fall under the auspice of hormesis, for example exercise (if it is not overdone), cold therapies, heat therapy, acupuncture, active yoga, physical therapy, icing an injury, and the list goes on.

There are many ways that medicine uses intentional stress to help heal and even relax the body, including the use of saunas, steam rooms, and even hot baths. These modalities would fall under the category of ‘Heat Stress’.

According to research performed and published by NIH in a journal entitled “Hormesis Defined”:

“In the fields of biology and medicine hormesis is defined as an adaptive response of cells and organisms to a moderate (usually intermittent) stress.” (1)

If you are interested in reading in more detail about the evolutionary process of hormetic factors , then click on the link at the bottom of this article for the full publication of the aforementioned journal.

By understanding the adaptive nature of the body to positive stress, we can begin to understand how heat stress is entirely different from other types of stress that deplete the body.

What Is Unhealthy Stress?

Abuse of drugs and alcohol
Trauma and traumatic experiences
Traffic
Lack of Finances
Toxic relationships
Divorce
Death of a loved one
Excessive exercise
Injury
Autoimmune Disorders
Poverty
Abuse……

In short, life can and will be stressful. How can we mitigate the external stresses in our life that deplete the body? When anxiety is high and an individual is in a state of hypervigilance, eventually disease will appear in the body.

It is impossible to control external factors, such as the heartache of the death of a loved one, divorce, loss of job, etc, however, by engaging regularly in hormesis through a variety of modalities, it becomes possible to offset the negative influences of typical stress in our life.

Among many modalities that an individual can use to offset the negative effects of stress in their daily lives is heat stress. Heat stress can be induced using saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, and even hot bathes.

Why Is Heat Stress Important For Your Health?

An excellent example of heat stress is the use of saunas regularly. When an individual is using a sauna there is typically a point right before perspiration that is deeply uncomfortable and there will be an urge to leave the sauna and get away from the heat.

At this stage in sauna bathing, dimorphan is released and the body begins a self regulation of the interior thermal temperature. It is necessary to reach that point of extreme discomfort in order for the dimorphan to be released. Without this metabolic action, none of the other positive biochemical reactions would begin to take place.(2)

Heat stress could be viewed as an analogue to the relaxation therapy, whereby an individual will clench their fist and then release – eventually moving through the whole body activating muscles and then releasing until states of relaxation are found. A little active engagement of positive physical stress followed by a release.

Heat stress is a necessary, and sometimes uncomfortable, experience in order to reach the precipice where a cascade of health benefits, including relaxation, are found during a heat therapy experience.

Heat stress is uncomfortable, for a brief period of time, but shortly after this discomfort, a cascade of positive hormones are released: The antithesis to dimorphan are endorphins, which allow an individual to feel good.

A little bit of discomfort is necessary to create a very healthy biosphere within the body. Above and beyond the health benefits of hormesis in the form of heat stress it also trains the emotions and brain to face some of life’s incredibly challenging situations with a greater level of ease.

Sources Cited: