Heat Without Fire: A Brief & Dark History of Infrared Sauna

I went into this episode on infrared saunas with an open mind despite my bias toward traditional sauna and its deep cultural roots. Infrared may lack that culture (and the heat), but for many in the US and UK, it’s an accessible entry point into sauna.What I found surprised me: a dark past tied to pseudoscience, eugenics, and questionable marketing. Infrared saunas themselves aren’t inherently bad, but they do reflect some of the more problematic sides of modern American wellness culture.In this episode, I cover:A brief history of infraredThe appeal and potential (the good stuff)The science…and lack thereofHow in many ways infrared represents the dark side of American wellness culture: a toxic mix of individualism, commercialism, and pseudoscienceHow to strike a balance where infrared can play a valuable role as a path to a traditional sauna practiceI’m not a medical professional or scientist, but I’ve done my best to represent the science as shared to me by experts. And I’ve tried to share the information in a way that I hope is more digestible for us laypeople.  As such, thank you for giving me grace with any medical and scientific information I’ve summarized.I’ve leveraged a number of sources for today’s episode. Please see below so you can dive deeper on any topics that have piqued your interest. Sources:Infrared saunas are not a coronavirus remedy, doctors warn, as sales boom, 2020Patent for John H. Kellogg’s Radiant Heat Bath, 1896 Light Therapeutics: a practical manual of phototherapy for the student and the practitioner, with special reference to the incandescent electric-light bath by John Harvey Kellogg, 1910Spa Town Culture and The European Spa PhenomenonPublic Baths Were Meant to Uplift the Poor, 2017What is an infrared sauna? Does it have health benefits?, Mayo ClinicExplore the Chicago World’s FairJohn Harvey Kellogg, BritannicaExperts:Anonymous DMD-PhDDr. Karsten Gröning, Director of the Deutsche Sauna Akademie in GermanyLearn more about the Sauna Master Certification and training hereThis episode was edited by Lila Woodbridge.💙⁠ ⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ today and support an independently produced and funded podcast. The sauna and bathing industry in the US and UK is growing fast. Where there’s growth, money and big companies will follow. If you want to see a bathing culture that isn’t just led by the folks with the most cash, support a platform that is run from a grassroots level. A platform that can authentically prioritize a respect for culture, science, and community. Badii offers passionate and curious bathers and spa-goers access to news, education, and recommendations about global bathing culture. Explore more bathing culture:Website:⁠ www.badii.life⁠Instagram:⁠ @badii.life