Red Light Sauna & Your Brain

Written By Kali Clark

As we age and deal with daily stressors, maintaining cognitive sharpness becomes more important than ever. New research sheds light on how infrared sauna therapy and red light treatments may support brain health—boosting mental clarity, improving blood flow, and helping the brain recover while improving performance.

Here's a quick look at how these therapies could enhance your cognitive well-being.

🧠 Cognitive Health: Beyond Just Memory

  • Cognitive health encompasses more than memory—it includes focus, decision-making, emotional resilience, and overall mental clarity.

  • Maintaining brain health is crucial for daily functioning and quality of life. Sunlighten

🔴 The Role of Red and Infrared Light Therapy

  • Red and near-infrared light can penetrate the skull, stimulating mitochondria in brain cells to produce more ATP (energy).

  • Benefits include enhanced mental clarity, improved blood flow, reduced inflammation, and increased cognitive resilience.

  • According to Dr. Michael Hamblin, light therapy not only boosts local mitochondrial function but also triggers systemic anti-inflammatory responses, promoting brain repair. Architectural Digest+1Sunlighten+1Sunlighten

🌡️ Infrared Sauna’s Contribution to Brain Health

  • Infrared saunas emit far and mid-infrared wavelengths that gently raise core body temperature, enhancing circulation and vascular health.

  • This improved blood flow delivers oxygen and nutrients to the brain, aiding in detox and reducing inflammation.

  • Regular sauna use may support the integrity of brain tissue, particularly in areas like the hippocampus, which is vital for memory and learning.

🧪 Emerging Research Insights

  • A 2025 study in Interface Focus found that increased blood flow in the hippocampus correlates with healthier tissue stiffness, suggesting protection against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

🏠 Practical Application

  • Incorporating infrared sauna sessions or red light therapy can be a proactive approach to supporting cognitive health.

  • Regular sessions (20–40 minutes) may help calm the nervous system, lower inflammation, boost cellular energy, and promote clearer thinking. Architectural Digest+7Sunlighten+7Sunlighten+7

For more detailed information, you can read the full article here.

Book your next sauna session with the 212 Spa!

Kali Clark
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Fitness & Mental Health