The ULTIMATE Guide to Saunas & Heat Exposure | Dr. Rhonda Patrick
Get the full length version of this episode as a podcast.
This episode will make a great companion for a long drive.
The BDNF Protocol Guide
An essential checklist for cognitive longevity — filled with specific exercise, heat stress, and omega-3 protocols for boosting BDNF. Enter your email, and we'll deliver it straight to your inbox.
Deliberate heat exposure has profound health benefits. Frequent sauna use is associated with a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, a lower risk of sudden cardiac death, a lower risk of coronary heart disease, a lower risk of stroke, a lower risk of dementia, of Alzheimer's disease.
In this video, expect to learn:
- How heat stress mimics moderate-intensity aerobic exercise
- If sauna bathing can amplify the VO2 max benefits of exercise
- The health benefits of heat shock proteins — from preventing plaque aggregation to slowing muscle atrophy
- Why you should consider using the sauna after lifting weights
- Optimal sauna parameters (temperature, duration, frequency, and humidity)
- Whether infrared saunas and hots baths are as beneficial as traditional Finnish saunas
- Why you should be cautious of sauna temperatures above 200 ºF
Member only extras:
Learn more about the advantages of a premium membership by clicking below.
Hear new content from Rhonda on The Aliquot, our member's only podcast

Listen in on our regularly curated interview segments called "Aliquots" released every week on our premium podcast The Aliquot. Aliquots come in two flavors: features and mashups.
- Hours of deep dive on topics like fasting, sauna, child development surfaced from our enormous collection of members-only Q&A episodes.
- Important conversational highlights from our interviews with extra commentary and value. Short but salient.