Are Saunas the Next Big Performance-Enhancing “Drug”?
This post will explain how heat can be used to increase growth hormone, muscular hypertrophy, endurance, and otherwise aid performance. It’s authored by Rhonda Perciavalle Patrick, Ph.D, and it’s comprehensive. But before we get started, you need to read some background and warnings… Heat is no joke. Ever since I was a premie, overheating and thermo-regulation have been my arch-enemies. On a few occasions, I’ve been hospitalized for heat stroke symptoms, and the symptoms hit suddenly and without warning. I’m extremely lucky I didn’t smash my skull on the ground after the collapses. To delve into this handicap, I even became a test subject at Stanford University in 2005. I underwent military-related heat marches to exhaustion, capturing data the entire time. Here are some choice pics. It was as fun as it looks (I’ll share videos another time, as they’re hilarious): After [...]
19 Incredible Science-Based Health Benefits of Regular Sauna Use
1. Saunas Help Detoxification A new study found that there were 200 toxins in a newborn babies umbilical cord, including ones, like BPA, known to cause developmental problems (R). The skin is considered a major organ of detoxification (R). Arsenic levels in the sweat of those exposed to high levels of the metal were seven times higher than those not exposed (R, R2). Similarly, high mercury levels can be normalized by frequent sauna use (R). Policemen exposed to methamphetamine had fewer symptoms after regular sauna use (R). People who go to the sauna regularly improve their sweat-detox pathways and can produce up to 2L/hour of sweat (R). 2. Saunas Increase Longevity A study of 2,315 Finnish men aged 42-60 found that regular sauna use led to considerably decreased risks of heart disease and a lower chance of dying from all causes (R). [...]