Can saunas release natural hgh?
Can a 15-minute steam make your growth hormone spike? Yes ā but with caveats. Research suggests that a short sauna session (e.g. ~15 min at ~70ā90 °C) can transiently increase growth hormone (GH) levels ā in one study, rising from ~2 to ~5 µg/L in young men. ļæ¼ However, this increase is temporary, depends heavily on age, temperature, duration, and recovery cycles, and returns to baseline within a few hours. ļæ¼ The proposed mechanism ā heat stress triggering heat shock proteins, hypothalamic signaling, and GH release ā is plausible and partially supported, but not definitively proven in humans in all circumstances. If optimized (higher heat, repeated exposure, alternating with cooling), the GH boost might be larger ā but evidence for dramatic or long-term hormonal effects is limited. GH does help with tissue repair, muscle retention, bone health, and body composition, but whether sauna-induced GH surges deliver meaningful benefit beyond traditional methods (training, diet, sleep) is still an open question. Using a sauna for recovery, relaxation, or performance support is reasonable ā and occasional GH boosts are a potential bonus. But this isnāt a magic switch for hormones. Treat it as one helpful tool among many. Full Article: https://nordvikoutdoors.com/blogs/news/sauna-growth-hormone-study