Scientific Studies
Knowledge Hub
Scientific Studies on Far Infrared Therapy
A working bibliography of peer-reviewed research and clinical trials referenced across the Relax Saunas knowledge base, organized by topic.
Overview and Mechanistic Studies
"Far infrared radiation (FIR): its biological effects and medical applications." Photonics & Lasers in Medicine, vol. 4 (2012): 255–266.
doi:10.1515/plm-2012-0034 ↗"The effects inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells by far-infrared radiation (FIR) are controlled by the basal expression level of heat shock protein (HSP) 70A." Med Oncol. 2008;25(2):229–37.
doi:10.1007/s12032-007-9020-4 ↗"Low-level laser (light) therapy increases mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP synthesis in C2C12 myotubes with a peak response at 3–6 h." Photochem Photobiol. 2015;91(2):411–416.
doi:10.1111/php.12397 ↗"Near-infrared light increases ATP, extends lifespan and improves mobility in aged Drosophila melanogaster." Biology Letters, vol. 11,3 (2015): 20150073.
doi:10.1098/rsbl.2015.0073 ↗"Do Infrared Saunas Have Any Health Benefits?" Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 13 Sept. 2024.
mayoclinic.org ↗"Sauna as a valuable clinical tool for cardiovascular, autoimmune, toxicant-induced and other chronic health problems." Alternative Medicine Review, vol. 16, no. 3, Sept. 2011.
View source ↗Cancer Therapy Adjuncts
"Counterpoint: test the value of hyperthermia in patients with carcinoma of the cervix being treated with concurrent chemotherapy and radiation." Int J Hyperthermia, vol. 18,1 (2002): 13–18.
doi:10.1080/02656730110083747 ↗"Far-infrared radiation alleviates cisplatin-induced vascular damage and impaired circulation via activation of HIF-1α." Cancer Science, vol. 113,6 (2022): 2194–2206.
doi:10.1111/cas.15371 ↗"Far Infrared Radiation Therapy for Gynecological Cancer-Related Lymphedema Is an Effective and Oncologically Safe Treatment: A Randomized-Controlled Trial." Lymphatic Research and Biology, vol. 20,2 (2022): 164–174.
doi:10.1089/lrb.2019.0061 ↗(2020). "A Graphene-Based Flexible Device as a Specific Far-Infrared Emitter for Noninvasive Tumor Therapy." Advanced Therapeutics, 3: 1900195.
doi:10.1002/adtp.201900195 ↗Wound Healing and Tissue Repair
"The Application of Far-Infrared in the Treatment of Wound Healing: A Short Evidence-Based Analysis." J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med, vol. 22,1 (2017): 186–188.
doi:10.1177/2156587215623436 ↗"Far-infrared rays penetrate deeper into mammary tissue and induce a higher skin blood flow in comparison to infrared irradiation." The Second Asian and Pacific Rim Symposium on Biophotonics, 2004. APBP 2004., Taipei, Taiwan, 2004, pp. 107–108.
doi:10.1109/APBP.2004.1412302 ↗Chronic Fatigue and Systemic Wellness
"The effects of repeated thermal therapy for two patients with chronic fatigue syndrome." J Psychosom Res, vol. 58,4 (2005): 383–387.
doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2004.11.005 ↗"Effectiveness of a far-infrared low-temperature sauna program on geriatric syndrome and frailty in community-dwelling older people." Geriatr. Gerontol. Int. 2020; 20: 892–898.
doi:10.1111/ggi.14003 ↗"Effects of Waon therapy on chronic fatigue syndrome: a pilot study." Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan), vol. 54,3 (2015): 333–8.
doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.54.3042 ↗"Efficacy of Waon therapy for fibromyalgia." Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan), vol. 47,16 (2008): 1473–6.
doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.47.1054 ↗Inflammatory and Autoimmune Disorders
"Infrared sauna in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis." Clin Rheumatol 28, 29–34 (2009).
doi:10.1007/s10067-008-0977-y ↗"Can the hyperthermia-mediated heat shock factor/heat shock protein 70 pathway dampen the cytokine storm during SARS-CoV-2 infection?" British Journal of Pharmacology, first published 11 Dec. 2020.
doi:10.1111/bph.15343 ↗Cardiovascular and Circulatory Health
"Far-infrared therapy: a novel treatment to improve access blood flow and unassisted patency of arteriovenous fistula in hemodialysis patients." J Am Soc Nephrol, vol. 18,3 (2007): 985–992.
doi:10.1681/ASN.2006050534 ↗"Repeated sauna treatment improves vascular endothelial and cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure." J Am Coll Cardiol, vol. 39,5 (2002): 754–759.
doi:10.1016/s0735-1097(01)01824-1 ↗"Far infrared therapy improves vascular function by enhancing endothelial function and decreasing arterial stiffness via cytoprotective pathways." Free Radical Biology & Medicine, vol. 241 (2025): 438–446.
doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2025.09.039 ↗"Far-Infrared Therapy Improves Cardiovascular and Infectious Outcomes in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients." Journal of the Formosan Medical Association, vol. 125, no. 1 (2026): 30–36.
doi:10.1016/j.jfma.2025.05.028 ↗"Far-infrared saunas for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors: summary of published evidence." Canadian Family Physician / Médecin de famille canadien, vol. 55,7 (2009): 691–6.
View source ↗Detoxification and Environmental Toxin Elimination
"IFD Firefighters Sweat Out Dangerous Toxins to Fight Back Against Growing Cancer Epidemic." Fox 59, 20 Apr. 2017.
View source ↗"Human Excretion of Bisphenol A: Blood, Urine, and Sweat (BUS) Study." Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2012, article 185731.
doi:10.1155/2012/185731 ↗"Effect of water filtration infrared-A (wIRA) sauna on inorganic ions excreted through sweat from the human body." Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, vol. 30,7 (2023): 18260–18267.
doi:10.1007/s11356-022-23437-3 ↗Weight Loss
"Effects of Far-Infrared Therapy on Weight Loss in Korean Obese Women." Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research, The Society of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research, 20 June 2012.
koreascience.kr ↗"Effects of regular sauna bathing in conjunction with exercise on cardiovascular function: a multi-arm, randomized controlled trial." American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, vol. 323,3 (2022): R289–R299.
doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00076.2022 ↗Mental Health and Mood Regulation
"Psychological Characteristics after Far-infrared Hyperthermia Evaluated Using the Profile of Mood State (POMS)." Faculty of Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama, Japan.
View source ↗"Whole-Body Hyperthermia for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial." JAMA Psychiatry, vol. 73,8 (2016): 789–95.
doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.1031 ↗"A Randomized Trial Testing a Novel Mind and Body Intervention for Depression: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Whole-Body Hyperthermia (WBH)." Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health, vol. 14, 27536130251387714. 22 Oct. 2025.
doi:10.1177/27536130251387714 ↗
Note: the 2025 Mason et al. trial found meaningful symptom reduction in both the active-heat and sham-heat arms (both paired with CBT) — worth stating that nuance rather than citing this as proof that heat alone drives the effect.
Trials and Proof of Concept
"Relax Saunas: Proof of Concept — Initial Trial Summary." Exercising Nutritionally, LLC, Prepared 28 Mar. 2022.
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