Treating Parkinson's Disease With Sauna Use: A Detailed Analysis

Parkinson’s disease has presented itself in the body of many of our cultural heroes from Muhammad Ali, Michael J. Fox, former president George H. W. Bush, Ozzy Ozborne, Robin Williams, Pope John Paul II, and so many others. This means that even if you do not know someone personally with Parkinson’s disease, its effects have probably touched your heart and mind in some way.

The fact that so many famous people have been afflicted with Parkinson’s means that there is an enormous amount of research on its causes, treatments, and cures. This neurodegenerative disease is a frightening diagnosis for anyone to receive. Its exact causes are unknown. It is known that you are more likely to be diagnosed with it if you are over the age of 50, male, if someone else in your family has been diagnosed, or if you have been exposed to 2 specific types of industrial pesticides. (1)

On a positive note, there is overwhelmingly positive evidence that suggests exposure to heat may help prevent and possibly treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

When considering treatments and preventative measures concerning Parkinson’s, these might be some of the questions that arise to the forefront of the mind:

How can neurogenesis be accelerated to outpace the death of neurons in the nigra?
How can dopamine and noradrenaline be increased?
How can proteins collecting in the base of the brain become better protected?
How can the health of each and every mitochondria be improved?
How can oxidative stress be controlled in the body by augmenting antioxidants?
How can exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides be detoxified from the body?

Sauna use is not the only treatment for cases of Parkinson’s, however it does provide a solution to many of the fundamental questions posed above. Sauna use, through the mechanism of thermoregulation in response to heat stress can improve neurogenesis, increase dopamine production, induce Heat Shock Protein uptake, illicit ameliorated mitochondrial function, balance out oxidative stress, and detoxify the body from environmental pathogens. This is a tall order for one activity to promise; however, there is significant research from reputable institutions that clearly demonstrates the value of heat therapy in cases of Parkinson’s.

A publication from the National Institute of Health explored later in this article writes this concerning sauna use in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

“Additionally, the potential to improve muscular function, cerebral blood flow, and markers of metabolic health offer significant benefits for people with a neurodegenerative disease by improving their quality of life and reducing disease severity.” (2)

This article will explore several studies on Parkinson’s and the positive effect that thermal therapy may have on symptom relief as well for the potential of improving neurological function. Whether you are currently living with Parkinson’s or just looking to avoid its development, you will want to consider the strong evidence for regular high heat sauna use and long wavelength light therapy.

Parkinson’s Disease and Your Brain: Death of the Neurons That Produce Dopamine

Loss of Dopamine
Loss of NorAdrenaline (norepinephrine)

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive disorder of the nervous system and results in varied symptoms, with the most demonstrable being the classic PD tremors. (1) PD’s primary causal symptom is a loss of neurons in the base of the brain responsible for the creation of dopamine. Neurons in this part of the brain become weak and eventually die at an alarming rate due to many speculative reasons as well as foundational causes.

Parkinson’s disease is succinctly described in a publication by the National Institute of Health entitled ‘Parkinson’s disease’ when its authors describe it here.

“Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive movement disorder of the nervous system. It causes nerve cells (neurons) in parts of the brain to weaken, become damaged, and die, leading to symptoms that include problems with movement, tremor, stiffness, and impaired balance. As symptoms progress, people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) may have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks.” (1)

Many aspects of the brain are affected by PD, however it primarily targets a portion of the brain that sits close to its base called the nigra. In this area of the brain is where a significant amount of neurons become sick and die. The neurons in this part of the brain are responsible for facilitating the production of dopamine. This fact is responsible for the lack of available dopamine in PD cases. An individual living with fully expressed Parkinson’s disease will have 60-80% less dopamine than your average individual. (1)

Dopamine is often attributed with mood regulation or an overall sense of wellbeing, and motivation, but also, dopamine is a neurotransmitter that aids the body in creating smooth and purposeful movement. According to a publication from the National Library of Medicine entitled ‘Parkinson’s Disease’ (1) the tremendous loss of dopamine in patients of PD is the reason why the notorious PD tremor exists.

“Dopamine is the chemical messenger that transmits signals in the brain to produce smooth, purposeful movement. Studies have shown that most people with PD have lost 60 to 80% or more of the dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra by the time symptoms appear.” (1)

Due to the death of so many neurons responsible for the creation of dopamine, and in addition to this loss, individuals with PD also show a loss of norepinephrine (noradrenaline), a close relative of adrenaline, but different from adrenaline in that a continuous release of noradrenaline is responsible for many autonomic functions in the body. The same publication from the NIH writes this regarding noraderenaline.

“People with PD also lose the nerve endings that produce the neurotransmitter norepinephrine—the main chemical messenger to the part of the nervous system that controls many automatic functions of the body, such as pulse and blood pressure. The loss of norepinephrine might explain several of the symptoms of Parkinson’s that are not related to movement, such as fatigue and blood pressure changes.” (1)

*** (“Norepinephrine is also known as noradrenaline. It is both a hormone and the most common neurotransmitter of the sympathetic nervous system.”) (3)

When Parkinson’s is looked at through the perspective of the damage caused to the brain cells, its treatment and prevention become more tangible. Rather than considering PD as a disease that permeates and originates in all aspects of the body, it may be best to consider it as a complication of the brain.

In addition to the loss of dopamine and norepinephrine there also appears to be a significant correlation to a high level of oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction in patients of PD which will be addressed later in this article. For now take a look at how heat shock protein upregulation may protect you from Parkinson’s disease developing or perhaps even in the treatment of its symptoms.

Heat Shock Protein Upregulation May Protect You Against Parkinson’s Disease, or Reduce Pre-Existing Symptoms

An intrinsic aspect of the human species is internal thermoregulation. This is just a way of saying that our species regulates its own temperature internally to maintain a narrow range of core temperature. Any dysregulation of the human core body temperature immediately elicits a thermoregulatory response. This response releases a cocktail of health positive molecules, neurotransmitters, as well as many other life affirming bio-chemical changes.

No other species regulates temperature through sweat in the same way that humans do, and as such this particular mechanism can be the source of tremendous healing. The moment the human body exceeds its base core temperature by the slightest amount heat shock proteins (HSPs) are released. These protein chaperones are released to protect the movement of proteins in the intracellular space from potentially dangerous temperatures and are responsible for folding proteins and ensuring their safe travel. While HSPs are necessary to protect the body from changing environmental temperatures they also serve many other purposes in ensuring the maintenance of a healthy body. (5)

The use of heat therapy either as seen in traditional saunas, infrared saunas, sweat lodges, steam rooms, or even a hot bath, lean into the body’s intrinsic reaction to heat stress to produce many healthful biological changes including the production of heat shock proteins.

An article published by the National Institute of Health in January 2020 entitled ‘Could Heat Therapy Be an Effective Treatment for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases? A Narrative Review’ (2) has shed revelatory information on the use of heat stress to treat Parkinson’s disease. The authors of the article write about the unique human response to temperature regulation here.

“While in an acute sense this stress response is a defense mechanism, regularly challenging the thermal equilibrium via active or passive thermal stress results in positive physiological and perceptual adaptations.” (2)

One such adaptive response to heat stress is the production of heat shock proteins. The unintentional consequence of sauna bathing is the upregulation of HSPs which improves a plethora of health related disorders as well as an overall improvement in bodily vitality.

Take a look at the pictorial demonstration of the human response to heat therapy (2):

The same article referenced above writes the following regarding improved heat shock protein production in reference to its effect on Parkinson’s disease.

“Recent reviews have identified the upregulation of HSPs as therapeutic targets for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease…Loss of protein homeostasis, due to protein mis-folding and aggregation of damaged proteins, is a hallmark of both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. HSPs function as chaperones to ensure appropriate cell function with distinct roles in the unfolded protein response, recognizing misfolded or mis-localized proteins that may be subsequently degraded by the proteasome, and are a key component of chaperone-mediated autophagy.” (2)

Consequently, researchers have proposed that modalities such as saunas be used to upregulate HSPs in therapeutic settings for those living with neurodegenerative diseases. The evidence is far too compelling to ignore. Proper folding and protection of proteins that are the building blocks of the human body are necessary to protect the brain from diseases such as Parkinson’s disease.

The same publication articulates this point in the following statement.

“Central in the pathophysiology of these neurodegenerative diseases is the loss of protein homeostasis, resulting in misfolding and aggregation of damaged proteins. An element of the protein homeostasis network that prevents the dysregulation associated with neurodegeneration is the role of molecular chaperones. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are chaperones that regulate the aggregation and disaggregation of proteins in intracellular and extracellular spaces, and evidence supports their protective effect against protein aggregation common to neurodegenerative diseases.”

And continues to urge its readers to understand the necessity of heat shock protein production to protect those living with neuromuscular degenerative symptoms.

“Consequently, upregulation of HSPs, such as HSP70, may be a target for therapeutic intervention for protection against neurodegeneration. A novel therapeutic intervention to increase the expression of HSP may be found in heat therapy and/or heat acclimation. In healthy populations, these interventions have been shown to increase HSP expression. Elevated HSP may have central therapeutic effects, preventing or reducing the toxicity of protein aggregation, and/or peripherally by enhancing neuromuscular function.

If you are over the age of 50, or are male, or if you have been exposed to environmental toxins, or if you have a genetic pre-disposition toward developing Parkinson’s disease, there is no doubt that exposure to heat stress on a regular basis can improve neurodegeneration. Slowed, or entirely stalled progression of Parkinson’s disease, according to the authors of the publication above, may be possible with regular exposure to heat stress. If exercise is not available, then sauna sessions that place the body under significant heat stress for 20 minutes three times per week may be the most accessible option.

Mitochondrial Function, Oxidative Stress, and Infrared Light

In addition to neuronal death in key areas of the brain, mitochondrial dysfunction may also contribute to the development and/or worsening of Parkinson’s disease. It is therefore hypothesized by specialized researchers that improved mitochondrial function may positively affect individuals diagnosed with PD.

Furthermore, it is posited that oxidative stress may contribute to neuronal death,and the worsening of conditions that result from a lack of dopamine. Finally, there are certain pathogens believed to cause Parkinson’s by matching similar genetic markers that may be detoxified from the body through heat stress.

Mitochondrial Function Improvement With Red & Near Infrared Light

The mitochondria are the energy centers of each and every cell. They are responsible for converting oxygen into usable energy of the body (ATP). ATP is a biological energy currency, the more of it that you have, the richer in health you will be. Mitochondrial function can be improved through the process of photobiomodulation.

What is photobiomodulation (PBM)? It is the process of exposure to the light frequency of both the color red, and near infrared light. When the photoreceptors of the mitochondria sense the presence of these long wavelength frequencies they awaken to invite them into the mitochondria where they are rapidly turned into ATP.

Exposure to long wavelength light positively affects the life death cycle of cells, including brain cells! This means that through improved mitochondrial metabolism it may be possible to prevent brain cells in the nigra from dying at such a rapid pace in individuals with PD. Remember, that neuron death in this part of the brain diminishes dopamine which causes the jittery, or unsmooth movement in individuals living with Parkinson’s. Improve mitochondrial health, and there will be less rapid life death cycles of key cells in the brain, as well as other portions of the body.

An exciting publication entitled ‘The Beneficial Role of Photobiomodulation in Neurodegenerative Diseases’ from the National Institute of Health drives this point home when they discuss photobiomodulation as a potential alternative treatment to pharmaceuticals in cases of Parkinson’s disease.

“…We highlight the various ways by which PBM may possess beneficial effects on neural activity and has been reported in various neurodegenerative conditions (Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, TBI, stroke) with the hope that it may serve as an alternative therapy in the management of neurodegenerative diseases because of the biological side effects associated with drugs currently used in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.” (6)

If you are living with Parkinson’s disease or looking to prevent it, it may be wise to focus on mitochondrial wellness through light therapy of the red and near infrared light variety. This can be done in a full spectrum infrared sauna that includes redlight therapy, with a red & near infrared light panel, or even by going outside during hours of the day when infrared light is at its strongest in the sun’s rays.

Oxidative Stress Reduction

Oxidative stress, and antioxidants have become ‘catch’ words that are ubiquitous within the wellness industry, but in reality they have very real consequences to health. Particularly the health of individuals living with Parkinson’s disease.

Oxidative stress is an imbalance of anti-oxidants and free radicals that ultimately cause injury to cells. (4) This also includes brain cells as seen in cases of PD. The authors of the publication on Parkinson’s disease issued by the National Institute of Health write about the effects of oxidative stress on cases of PD.

“Researchers have detected damage from oxidative stress in the brains of people with PD. Oxidative stress refers to damage caused by free radicals, molecules that result from abnormalities in mitochondria, the energy-producing components of the cell. Researchers have also identified some gene mutations that affect mitochondrial function as causes of PD.” (1)

How can oxidative stress be relieved from the body? In essence a balance of antioxidants can help reduce oxidative stress from a surplus of unregulated free radicals. Saunas are known to improve cases of oxidative stress. This can be done, in no small part, by improving the production of heat shock proteins.

Oxidative stress can be improved by balancing the free radicals in the intracellular space. This can be done via nutrition, passive heat exposure, and detoxification. The latter of which can be accomplished by using a sauna on a regular basis.

The authors of the Science Direct publication entitled ‘Parkinson’s disease and mitochondrial gene variations: A review’ (7) describe the necessity to improve oxidative stress in PD patients when they write this.

“Researchers have detected damage from oxidative stress in the brains of people with PD. Oxidative stress refers to damage caused by free radicals—molecules that result from abnormalities in mitochondria, the energy-producing components of the cell. Researchers have also identified some gene mutations that affect mitochondrial function as causes of PD.” (7)

The combination of improved HSP production to clean and clear intracellular space from free radicals, as well as the improved metabolic function of mitochondria appears to improve symptoms in individuals living with PD, and potentially prevent disease expression from ever occurring.

Detoxification To Prevent or Ameliorate Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Detoxification is another means by which Parkinson’s may be improved or prevented. This is because researchers from the National Institute of Health have identified 2 pesticides that correlate with the expression of Parkinson’s disease. (8)

In their article entitled ‘NIH study finds two pesticides associated with Parkinson’s disease’ (8)

“New research shows a link between use of two pesticides, rotenone and paraquat, and Parkinson’s disease. People who used either pesticide developed Parkinson’s disease approximately 2.5 times more often than non-users.” (8)

This article describes in depth the damage that these two pesticides have on the cellular structures of the human body.

“Rotenone directly inhibits the function of the mitochondria, the structure responsible for making energy in the cell…Paraquat increases production of certain oxygen derivatives that may harm cellular structures. People who used these pesticides or others with a similar mechanism of action were more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease.” (8)

The study found a strong correlation between exposure to the farming tools Paraquat and Rotenone and the development of Parkinson’s disease. These agents have only been used at the industrial level and not in individual family gardens. This means living in, or growing up in rural areas where a lot of farming occurs may have put some individuals at risk for developing PD.

The article concludes with this statement:

“These findings help us to understand the biologic changes underlying Parkinson’s disease. This may have important implications for the treatment and ultimately the prevention of Parkinson’s disease.” (8)

What can you do if you think that you have been exposed to these pesticides? Detoxification! It is possible to detoxify the body in three main ways: Urination, bowel movements, or through sweat.

Far infrared saunas have been found to produce the most toxins in the sweat of its users when compared to traditional saunas, or exercise. If you are serious about preventing or treating Parkinson’s disease with a detoxification protocol, it is important to consider getting into a far infrared sauna at least 3 times per week.

In the process of detoxification you will also be riding the body of free radicals, as well as applying enough heat stress to induce the uptake of Heat Shock Proteins!

What Type of Sauna Should You Use if You Have Parkinson’s Disease? How Should You Use Your Sauna When Treating Parkinson’s Disease?

The evidence is overwhelmingly supportive of the use of heat therapy in both the prevention and treatment of Parkinson’s disease. It is also clear from this data that it is important to place substantial heat stress on the body to initiate necessary biochemical changes, and also to expose the body to red and near infrared light. This means that when you use a sauna for the sake of minimizing the expression of PD symptoms your sauna should be hot. Also, if you can combine this with the benefits of photobiomodulation you can receive two therapies in one in a full spectrum infrared sauna.

The publication entitled ‘Could Heat Therapy Be an Effective Treatment for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases? A Narrative Review’ (2) from the National Institute of Health is clear in its concluding statements.

“The administration of heat therapy and heat acclimation may provide additional benefits in the context of neurodegenerative diseases in relation to skeletal muscle function, cerebral blood flow, and metabolic health.” (2)

Whether you choose to work with a traditional Finnish sauna, a sweat lodge, a steam room, an infrared sauna, or even a hot tub, it is more important that you elicit the heat stress response, so do not worry as much about how you sweat, but that you sweat.

Given the additional data on the benefits of photobiomodulation in cases of PD it is definitely worth considering long wavelength light therapy (red & near infrared light).

It is important to sweat profusely to detoxify the body from harmful pathogens that may cause or worsen cases of PD as well. This means that if possible entering a sauna for 20 minutes 3-7 times per week should be the goal of individuals attempting the prevention of Parkinson’s or for those who are looking to treat its symptoms.

If you choose to sauna it is crucial to stay well hydrated at all times. Furthermore, the neurodegenerative disease of Parkinson’s may require special assistance in the sauna, so make sure you can sauna with a responsible support partner. Of course, consult with your medical practitioner before using a sauna to ensure that the heat will not complicate any other treatments you may be following.

Be safe, and enjoy further reading on the relationship between heat, long wavelength light on Parkinson’s disease in the extensive list of resources below.

Sources Cited