Earric Lee, a physiologist at the Montreal Heart Institute, praised the concept of using sauna therapy as a potential treatment for depression. He highlighted the importance of exploring non-pharmacological approaches, especially considering that millions of people globally do not respond to existing treatments for major depressive disorder.
Although a small study on sauna therapy’s effects on depression does not conclusively prove its efficacy, researcher Mason remains optimistic about its potential benefits. The study’s limited size and scope prevented a thorough examination of various scenarios, such as different heat levels or the inclusion of a placebo control. However, the promising results suggest that further research is warranted to investigate the potential of heat sessions in alleviating depressive symptoms.
Adam Chekroud, a psychiatry professor at Yale University, expressed cautious optimism about the hyperthermia routine for depression treatment. While he acknowledged the potential benefits, he questioned the study’s methodology and the variability in sauna session frequency. Chekroud emphasized the importance of considering the placebo effect in mental health research and suggested that exploring alternative mind-body therapies, such as exercise and meditation, could also be beneficial.
Sauna physiologist Lee noted the potential impact of thermoregulation on mood and suggested that extreme heat exposure could potentially reset this regulation and improve mood. He pointed out that heat therapy might offer a more accessible and manageable alternative to traditional treatments like medication or talk therapy, especially for individuals with disabilities.
Despite the need for further research and funding, researcher Mason remains hopeful that sauna therapy could become a recognized treatment option for depression. Her goal is to gather enough evidence to convince insurance companies to cover sauna therapy as a legitimate treatment option for depression, alongside other conventional treatments.
