Cardiovascular Health
01Researchers studying a single 30-minute sauna session observed acute reductions in arterial stiffness and blood pressure following sauna exposure.
The Science
The Science of Feeling Better
Heat. Cold. Light. Recovery. Longevity.
Modern wellness is increasingly looking beyond occasional treatments and toward consistent daily rituals. Explore emerging research and perspectives from leading voices studying how heat, cold, light and recovery may influence human health and performance.
Heat
Research dossier 01
More Than Relaxation
The evolving science of sauna and heat exposure
Sauna bathing has been studied in relation to cardiovascular function, blood pressure, arterial stiffness, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, cognitive health, heat adaptation and sweating.
Longevity
02A long-running Finnish observational study involving 2,315 middle-aged men found that more frequent sauna bathing was associated with lower risks of fatal cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Association does not establish causation.
Brain & Cognitive Health
03Long-term Finnish observational research has reported associations between more frequent sauna bathing and lower rates of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. These findings do not prove that sauna prevents dementia.
Sauna + Exercise
04A randomized controlled trial found that adding sauna after regular exercise produced additional improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol compared with exercise alone in the study population. Sauna is not a replacement for exercise.
Sweat + Environmental Exposures
What Leaves With the Sweat?
Exploring emerging research around sweating and environmental exposures
Sweating is one of several pathways through which the body can excrete certain substances. Research has detected toxic elements—including arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury—in human sweat.
A systematic review examining these four elements concluded that sweating deserves further consideration in research into toxic-element elimination, while emphasizing the need for larger studies to establish safe and effective therapeutic protocols.
Heavy Metals in Sauna-Induced Sweat
A small study, a reason to keep asking.
Research analyzing sweat generated using water-filtered infrared-A sauna detected multiple toxic elements, including arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. The study involved 22 participants and should not be presented as proof of a clinical detoxification treatment.
An Important Comparison
The method of sweating may matter.
Another study comparing exercise-induced and sauna-induced sweating found higher concentrations of several metals during exercise-induced sweating. The evidence is still developing and does not support claims that sauna cleanses all toxins or treats heavy-metal toxicity.
A Longevity Experiment
Bryan Johnson Put Sauna to the Test
One person’s data. An intriguing result. A reason for more research.
Longevity entrepreneur and Blueprint founder Bryan Johnson conducted a personal sauna experiment in which he and his team tracked numerous biomarkers and environmental-exposure markers before and during a dry-sauna protocol.
This was Bryan Johnson’s personal experiment and n-of-1 data—not a clinical trial. His reported results are not expected outcomes for other people, and no Rise 2 Wellness product is represented as producing them.
“Sauna is one of the most effective health protocols I’ve done.”
Bryan Johnson’s Personal Result
85%
Reported reduction in measured microplastics in Bryan Johnson’s ejaculate during his personal sauna experiment
Microplastics
An Extraordinary Personal Finding
During Bryan Johnson’s sauna experiment, Blueprint reported that measured microplastics in his ejaculate decreased by approximately 85%, with what Blueprint described as a nearly identical reduction in his measured blood microplastics over the same period.
This is Bryan Johnson’s personal n-of-1 result—not a clinical finding demonstrating that sauna removes 85% of microplastics from the human body. More independent research is needed to determine whether sauna caused the change and whether similar effects occur in other people.
Environmental Exposures
The Modern Environment Has Changed the Wellness Conversation
Bryan Johnson has publicly discussed efforts to reduce exposure to heavy metals, airborne particles, microplastics and other environmental chemicals. Blueprint’s material emphasizes reducing exposure and measuring contaminants rather than assuming a product or protocol eliminates them.
Editorial reference only: Blueprint and Bryan Johnson are not presented as affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsing Rise 2 Wellness.
The Science of Sweating
Dr. Rhonda Patrick
Biomedical Scientist & Founder of FoundMyFitness
Different compounds leave the body through different pathways.
Dr. Patrick has discussed limited sweat excretion of BPA and uncertainty about skin reabsorption, noting that urine is the primary elimination route for BPA. She also describes sweat as potentially playing a more significant role in the excretion of certain heavy metals. This is not a generalized claim that sweating detoxifies everything.
Cold
Deliberate Cold Exposure
Dr. Andrew Huberman · Neuroscientist & Host of Huberman Lab
“Temperature is a powerful stimulus on our nervous system.”
— Dr. Andrew Huberman
Huberman discusses deliberate cold exposure as a tool for influencing alertness and dopamine.
Educational perspective · Huberman Lab
Huberman discusses deliberate cold exposure in the context of physiology, alertness, catecholamines, stress and resilience. His educational discussion is not a promise of a specific dopamine response from purchasing or using a Rise 2 Wellness cold plunge.
Light / PhotobiomodulationLight
A Growing Area of Research
Photobiomodulation uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light. Research continues to examine how light may interact with cellular signaling and tissue processes, while dosage, wavelength, irradiance, treatment timing and study population all influence how findings should be interpreted.
Evidence from one device, wavelength or protocol should not be generalized to every red light system or presented as a guarantee of results.
Longevity
Building a Longevity Toolkit
Dr. Peter Attia · Physician & Author of Outlive
“I kind of want to have a sauna, frankly, in the tool kit for longevity.”
— Dr. Peter Attia
“Heat is probably beneficial to lifespan.”
— Dr. Peter Attia
These perspectives should not be converted into a claim that sauna has been proven to extend an individual’s lifespan. Dr. Attia is not presented as endorsing Rise 2 Wellness.
Voices Shaping Modern Wellness
Perspective, clearly separated from proof.
Wellness Routines
Gary Brecka
Human Biologist & Founder of The Ultimate Human
Gary Brecka discusses lifestyle and wellness practices including sauna, cold exposure, light, sleep and movement through The Ultimate Human.
No endorsement of Rise 2 Wellness is implied.
Lifestyle Perspective
Mark Wahlberg
Wahlberg, describing Gary Brecka’s philosophy, said:
“You gotta get outside, you gotta get some natural sun rays, you gotta get your feet connected to the earth and you gotta get that cold plunge.”
Presented by The Ultimate Human in connection with Gary Brecka’s recommendations. This does not imply that Mark Wahlberg uses, recommends or endorses Rise 2 Wellness products.
Explore Rise 2 Wellness
Bring thoughtful wellness rituals into your home.
Explore our carefully selected saunas, cold plunges and red light systems, or contact our team directly with questions.
Editorial Standard
Science, Not Medical Advice
The information presented by Rise 2 Wellness is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Research into sauna, cold exposure, red light therapy and other wellness modalities continues to evolve. Individual responses vary, and people with medical conditions or concerns should consult an appropriate healthcare professional before beginning a new wellness practice.
References to third-party individuals, researchers, publications and organizations are provided for educational and editorial purposes. These individuals and organizations are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsing Rise 2 Wellness or its products unless expressly stated otherwise.