Saunas: The 10,000 year old hack for living longer

Since the start of 2024 I have become addicted to the sauna, typically jumping in at least 5 times per week. It feels like yet another example of one of these ancient practices that became cultural traditions for reasons that we have long forgotten.

But that mystery is now solved: "Sauna use has emerged as a probable means to increase lifespan and extend healthspan."

When I talk to people about tontines and how they make it affordable to live longer lives, sometimes I'm asked why anyone would want to live to 100 as if it's a curse rather than a blessing to get to meet your great grandchildren.

They miss the point. Typically our lifespan comes to an end only after our health span has already expired. So by extending our health span, we likely also enhance our lifespan.

This is where saunas come into the picture.

This brilliant research paper shows that:

"Sauna bathing is associated with many health benefits, from cardiovascular and cognitive health to physical fitness and muscle maintenance.... similar to those elicited by moderate- to vigorous-intensity exercise, and may offer a means to forestall the effects of aging and extend healthspan."

But what are these benefits of regular sauna use? Well here are just a few outlined in the paper:

• Reduced risk of heart disease & related mortality,
• Reduced risk of respiratory illnesses including pneumonia,
• Reduced blood pressure and hypertension,
• Reduced inflammation ("may be particularly well-suited for individuals who are unable to participate in regular exercise due to physical or cognitive limitations"),
• Enhanced neurogenesis (regeneration of new braincells/neurons),
• Reduced risk of neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimers, Parkinsons, Huntingdons),
• Increased endurance,
• A 16 times increase in growth hormone,
• Reduced sarcopenia (age-related progressive loss of muscle mass and strength).

The report does have one precaution though. It cites a single study where regular sauna use for men, temporarily reduced their production. Personally I think this is unlikely because I don't think nature hands you all of these reproductive benefits with one hand and takes them away with another.

As the advertising slogan for the Danish brewery goes: If Carlsberg could do drugs, it would be the best drug in the world but in this case, it seems like the Finnish have already beaten the Danes to it.

Obviously I'm an enthusiastic biohacker rather than a doctor and this is not medical advice but one thing I have learned in recent years to listen to your body and in my case it's telling me to Sauna even when I don't feel like working out.

So what are you waiting for? Ask your doctor if Sauna is right for you!