See the original article here: Is it ever safe to use a sauna during a dry fast?
Opinions from various anecdotes online
This is not to be viewed as medical advice. Data gathered from around the web of different people’s experiences of dry fasting and sauna use. This article does not support either viewpoint but merely attempts to aggregate different opinions posted online.
Yes, sauna use is safe when dry fasting
- Accelerates detoxification through increased sweating: Sweating is a natural way for the body to eliminate toxins. When using a sauna during dry fasting, the body's core temperature rises, leading to increased sweating. This process helps to remove harmful substances, such as heavy metals and environmental pollutants, from the body more efficiently. By combining fasting with sauna use, the detoxification process may be accelerated, contributing to better overall health.
- Promotes relaxation and stress relief: The heat from the sauna can help soothe tense muscles, ease joint pain, and relieve stress by encouraging relaxation. As dry fasting can sometimes cause stress, using a sauna may counteract this effect by providing a calming environment where the body can unwind. The heat also triggers the release of endorphins, which are natural pain relievers and mood elevators, further reducing stress and promoting a sense of well-being.
- Enhances overall fasting experience: Fasting can be a mentally and physically challenging experience. Incorporating sauna use during dry fasting can provide a welcome break from the restrictions and discomforts associated with fasting, making the overall experience more enjoyable. The combination of fasting and sauna use may also help users achieve their health and wellness goals more quickly, as both practices offer complementary benefits.
- May improve muscle recovery in athletes: The heat from the sauna can increase blood circulation, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles. This enhanced circulation may help to speed up muscle recovery after intense exercise or training sessions. When combined with dry fasting, sauna use may enhance the body's natural repair processes, making it an attractive option for athletes seeking to improve their performance and recovery times.
- Supports skin health and appearance: Using a sauna during dry fasting opens pores and helps cleanse impurities from the skin. The heat and sweating also stimulate the production of sebum, a natural oil that moisturizes and protects the skin. This process can lead to improved skin texture and appearance, with a reduction in acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
- Potentially boosts immune system function: The elevated body temperature experienced during sauna use can stimulate the immune system, promoting the production of white blood cells that help fight off infections. Combined with the potential immune-boosting effects of dry fasting, sauna use may further strengthen the body's defenses against illness and disease.
- Increases circulation and cardiovascular health: The heat from the sauna causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow and improving circulation. This effect can promote cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of heart disease and improving heart function. When combined with the potential cardiovascular benefits of dry fasting, using a sauna may offer an additional boost to heart health.
- Stimulates the release of endorphins: As mentioned earlier, sauna use can trigger the release of endorphins, which are natural pain relievers and mood elevators. Endorphins can help to alleviate physical discomforts associated with fasting and enhance mood, making the overall fasting experience more positive and enjoyable.
- Encourages mindfulness and self-awareness: Combining sauna use with dry fasting requires users to pay close attention to their body's signals and reactions. This heightened awareness can foster mindfulness and self-awareness, helping individuals become more in tune with their physical and mental needs, ultimately leading to better self-care and improved overall well-being.
- Connects with traditional practices: Using a sauna during dry fasting may resonate with individuals who are interested in traditional practices that combine fasting and sweating, such as Native American sweat lodges. These ancient practices were believed to promote spiritual cleansing and renewal, and by incorporating sauna use into their dry fasting routine, modern practitioners may feel a deeper connection to these traditions and their associated benefits.
No, it's not safe to use the sauna during dry fasting
- Increased risk of dehydration: Combining sauna use with dry fasting can exacerbate the risk of dehydration. Both practices cause fluid loss – fasting through reduced fluid intake and saunas through increased sweating. This combination may lead to a dangerous level of dehydration, causing symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, and confusion, which can be detrimental to overall health.
- Higher likelihood of electrolyte imbalances: Dehydration and excessive sweating can lead to imbalances in electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, which are essential for maintaining the body's normal functions. Electrolyte imbalances can cause a range of symptoms, including muscle cramps, fatigue, and even life-threatening conditions like seizures and heart arrhythmias.
- Possibility of overheating: The heat from the sauna raises the body's core temperature, and if not managed properly, can result in overheating. Overheating can cause symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and even heatstroke or heat exhaustion. Combining sauna use with dry fasting may increase the risk of overheating due to the body's reduced ability to regulate temperature effectively.
- Rapid decline in blood pressure: The heat from the sauna can cause blood vessels to dilate, leading to a drop in blood pressure. For individuals with existing cardiovascular issues or those prone to low blood pressure, using a sauna during dry fasting may exacerbate these conditions, potentially resulting in fainting or more severe complications.
- Increased strain on kidneys: The kidneys work to process toxins without adequate hydration during dry fasting. Adding sauna use to the mix may further strain the kidneys, increasing the risk of kidney damage or dysfunction, especially for individuals with pre-existing kidney issues.
- Potential for fainting, dizziness, or nausea: The combination of stressors on the body during dry fasting and sauna use can cause symptoms such as fainting, dizziness, or nausea. These symptoms may be more severe and difficult to manage due to the added strain on the body from fasting and the effects of heat exposure.
- Greater difficulty monitoring physical condition: Fasting and sauna use can both mask or exacerbate symptoms, making it challenging to accurately monitor one's physical condition. This difficulty can lead to potentially dangerous situations where individuals may not recognize the warning signs of dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, or overheating.
- Not suitable for inexperienced fasters or those with pre-existing health conditions: Combining sauna use with dry fasting may be too intense for individuals who are inexperienced with fasting or those with pre-existing health conditions. These individuals may be at a higher risk of complications, making it unsafe for them to engage in this practice.
- Encouragement of risk-taking behaviors: Combining sauna use with dry fasting may encourage risk-taking behaviors or the pursuit of extreme practices in the name of health and wellness. This approach can lead to potentially dangerous situations, as individuals may push themselves beyond their limits, increasing the risk of injury or illness.
- Risk of negative long-term effects: If the practice of combining sauna use with dry fasting is not approached responsibly or with proper guidance, it may result in negative long-term effects on the body, such as chronic dehydration. These effects can have serious consequences for an individual's overall health and well-being.
Positive experiences with sauna use while dry fasting
✔ I’ve comfortably done sauna on the second day of the dry fast but with plans of ending the fast that night or the next day (don’t remember which). I wouldn’t do it if I wanted to go a week and I wouldn’t do it more than two days in. it also wasn’t my first dry fast, id been doing weekly 36-hour DF while working a physical job for a while at that point so my body was used to it. monster-baiter
✔ I dry fast everyday for 24. I also use the sauna but only 15 minutes max after my workout. It definitely seems to make a differerence for me but I get so thirsty after!!! wildforever1
✔ I like to sauna while fasting too. Probably even the saunas in America vary in temp but the one I go to tops out at 140 degrees F. I can usually sit in there for quite a while. Honestly, I probably leave more because I’m bored than because I’ve hit my sauna limit. Don’t think I’ve made a whole hour yet, but probably 45 minutes. Canaliculi
✔ I use the dry sauna a few times each week for about twenty min each time. I always shower after, I’ve never done a hard dry fast only soft dry fasts.
I love sweating and even though the last few minutes are tough to get through, it is easier than working out while fasting. – myluckyshirt
✔ I use the dry sauna a few times each week for about twenty min each time. I always shower after, I’ve never done a hard dry fast only soft dry fasts.
I love sweating and even though the last few minutes are tough to get through, it is easier than working out while fasting. – myluckyshirt
✔ I have used the infrared sauna during days 2 and 3 of a soft dry fast, but I have never done a 7-day. I felt amazing when I did it. – arainydaze2
✔ I started doing this last night and have done two so far. I’m more of an intermittent dry faster because I take medicine with a sip of water. I went into the sauna for about 10 minutes. It wasn’t long but because it was my first time, I wanted to take it easy. It felt great because my skin felt soft and I lost 2 kilos doing this. – JuliusCaesar108
Negative experiences with sauna use while dry fasting
✗ It’s definitely playing with fire. The only two times I have been close to passing out in my life were from going into the sauna during dry fasting 40+ hours in. Granted, I stay in the sauna for sometimes 40 minutes at a time at 185° F. I got out, and that’s when I got lightheaded and started to lose my vision for a second. Sitting down for 5 minutes in the locker room and I started to feel better. The farthest into a dry fast I went while going into the sauna was about 50 hours. SophSimpl
✗ It can be a quicker way to dehydrate the body at the beginning of the fast (if you’re hydrated). But I wouldn’t and haven’t done it after the first day, personally. It can be a way to turn a dry fast deadly. And let’s put it this way: you are constantly dehydrating your body with a dry fast, which is natural stress. Why would you want to add even more extreme stress? “Death fasting” as some people call it is more of a quick-lose weight ideal, but that weight comes back, just like a sauna gets rid of water in your body. But dry fasting is a very healing experience, and I think it’s important to honor your body’s natural way of moving through it, especially if you want to make it to a week successfully. DragonOfTheLost
✗ dry fasting is already dehydrating, your body can only produce metabolic water so quickly to keep your organs from failing, forcing yourself into greater dehydration by going to a sauna is not a great idea, it needs to be at a slow pace so your body can keep up, you could have killed yourself. devilwearspuma
✗ Don’t do saunas and a DF – it’s the worst thing you could do to your body you must be going through hell. Also, the moment you drink water it’s going to soak up and retain every single ounce. I’d be surprised if you are not back to the same weight in a week or two like many who have done DF+Sauna on this sub. Your body is going to be a water-retaining machine after your fast limdesign
Neutral experiences with sauna use while dry fasting
▲ People will say it is not advisable but I did and lost a significant amount of weight. I also combined mine with exercise because I was doing the death fast protocol. I will say limit your time in the sauna. I was only able to do it for the first 4 days of the fast though. I was able to sit in for 30-45 minutes depending on how I felt. The 5th day was unbearable and I was only able to sit in for 10 minutes before I was like yeah no. I spent more time sitting outside the room and trying to talk myself into walking into the sauna and that’s where I gave up and just continued my fast. Hope that helps. skilllearngee
▲ I have a sauna at home and have done an hour after after 18 hrs dry fasted. Not much, I know, but I sweated the same and felt like I always did. Prior_Nail_2326
▲ I learned to approach the sauna with caution after my first 4-day hard dryfast. I would just wipe myself down and not shower (gross I know, lol). For me, what I learned, is my metabolic water creation closely matched my “rest rate” meaning I was super stressed after getting out of the sauna and it took me 6-8 hours to feel ok again. Taking half a liter of water out of my system added a lot of stress to the dry fasting process. On my second dry fast, I didn’t sauna at all and I could tell my body was trying to repair old injuries. So I don’t know if the sauna detracts from the healing process initially, but maybe. RealisticLocksmith0
▲ Dry fast is a time for stillness, silence, and self-reflection not for exercise and saunas. you might do some harm to yourself if you haven’t even grasped the full concept of what “fast” means. you should start from there. not trying to be snarky or condescending, just a friendly suggestion for your own sake. drkole
Summary of viewpoints
👍 Yes, it's safe:
Some users on Reddit believe that using a sauna during a dry fast can be safe, as long as you take the necessary precautions and have prior experience with fasting. They argue that saunas can help accelerate the detoxification process by increasing sweat production, which in turn, helps eliminate toxins from the body. This may contribute to a feeling of rejuvenation and improved well-being.
Proponents of this perspective often share their personal experiences, mentioning that they have used saunas during dry fasts without encountering issues. They might also reference traditional practices such as Native American sweat lodges, where participants engage in spiritual rituals that involve both fasting and sweating in a hot environment. Some users argue that our ancestors have been doing this for centuries, and thus, the human body is more resilient than we give it credit for.
However, it's important to note that those advocating for sauna use during dry fasting typically emphasize the need to be cautious and responsible. They suggest starting with shorter sauna sessions, gradually increasing the duration as your body adapts to the stress. Additionally, they recommend monitoring your body's response closely and stopping immediately if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or unwell.
Some users also mention the importance of breaking the fast correctly after using a sauna, emphasizing the need to rehydrate and replenish electrolytes to avoid potential complications. In summary, proponents of sauna use during dry fasting believe it can be safe, provided that you exercise caution, listen to your body, and have previous fasting experience.
👎 No, it's not safe:
On the other hand, many users on Reddit argue that using a sauna during a dry fast is not safe due to the risks associated with dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and overheating. They emphasize that the body is already under considerable stress from the lack of food and water intake, and adding the sauna experience can exacerbate these issues.
Opponents of sauna use during dry fasting often cite stories of individuals who have experienced adverse effects, such as fainting, nausea, and extreme weakness. Some even share anecdotes of people being hospitalized or, in rare cases, dying due to complications related to dehydration and overheating. They argue that the risks far outweigh any potential benefits and that the focus during a dry fast should be on rest, hydration, and proper nutrition.
These users also point out that the human body is not designed to withstand such extreme conditions, and pushing the limits can have severe consequences. They express concerns that combining dry fasting with sauna use may lead to a rapid decline in blood pressure, kidney damage, or heatstroke – especially for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions or those who are inexperienced with fasting.
Opponents of sauna use during dry fasting maintain that the practice is dangerous and should be avoided to protect one's health and well-being.
🫱 Sometimes, depending on the situation:
Some users on Reddit suggest that the safety of using a sauna during a dry fast depends on various factors, such as the individual's experience with fasting, their overall health, and the duration of both the fast and the sauna session. They propose a more nuanced perspective, acknowledging that the risks and benefits may vary depending on the person and the circumstances.
For example, they may mention that individuals who are experienced with fasting and have a good understanding of their body's limits might be able to safely use a sauna during a dry fast. These users often emphasize the importance of consulting a medical professional before attempting such a combination, as a doctor can help assess your health and determine if it is safe.
Have you tried using the sauna while dry fasting? Your information or opinion would help add to the conversation! Please comment down below and let us know.
