Scientific Studies | Relax Far Infrared Saunas
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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

Vatansever, Fatma, and Michael R Hamblin. "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 ↗

Ishibashi J, et al. "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 ↗

Ferraresi C, et al. "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 ↗

Begum, Rana et al. "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 ↗

Crinnion, Walter J. "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

Prosnitz, L, and E Jones. "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 ↗

Chen, Cheng-Hsien et al. "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 ↗

Xia, Liang et al. "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 ↗

Yu, T., Hu, Y., Feng, G. and Hu, K. (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

Lin, Yu-Hsin, and Tzong-Shiun Li. "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 ↗

Lin, Cheng-De, et al. "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

Masuda, Akinori et al. "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 ↗

Sugie M, Harada K, Takahashi T, et al. "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 ↗

Soejima, Yuji et al. "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 ↗

Matsushita, Kakushi et al. "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

Oosterveld, F.G.J., et al. "Infrared sauna in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis." Clin Rheumatol 28, 29–34 (2009).

doi:10.1007/s10067-008-0977-y ↗

Rébé, Cédric, François Ghiringhelli, and Carmen Garrido. "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

Lin, Chih-Ching et al. "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 ↗

Kihara, Takashi et al. "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 ↗

Bagabir, Hala et al. "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 ↗

Lin, Chih-Ching, et al. "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 ↗

Beever, Richard. "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

McAdams, Alexis. "IFD Firefighters Sweat Out Dangerous Toxins to Fight Back Against Growing Cancer Epidemic." Fox 59, 20 Apr. 2017.

View source ↗

Genuis, Stephen J., et al. "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 ↗

Cho, Kang-Hee et al. "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

Eun-Mo, Song, et al. "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 ↗

Lee, Earric et al. "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

Yatsuzuka, Miki, et al. "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 ↗

Janssen, Clemens W et al. "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 ↗

Mason, Ashley E et al. "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

Broeder, Craig E., FACSM. "Relax Saunas: Proof of Concept — Initial Trial Summary." Exercising Nutritionally, LLC, Prepared 28 Mar. 2022.

View PDF ↗
Compiled for internal reference. Citations link to original publishers where available. Always verify the primary source before citing in outward-facing materials.

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