If a steaming sauna is your happy place, there is intriguing news for your brain. A long-running study of Finnish men found that those who used a sauna frequently had a much lower chance of developing dementia over two decades. Men who sat in the sauna four to seven times a week had about a 66% lower risk of any dementia and about a 65% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared with men who went once weekly. The findings point to a promising link between regular sauna bathing and brain health, though they do not prove that saunas prevent dementia.
What the Finnish study found
Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland analyzed data from 2,315 men aged 42 to 60 who were enrolled in the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Study. Over roughly 20 years of follow-up, the team compared dementia outcomes among men who used saunas once a week with those who went four to seven times weekly. The frequent users had markedly lower rates of both all-cause dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. These results held even after accounting for age, blood pressure, alcohol use, smoking, cholesterol, and other health conditions. The study is the first to directly link sauna frequency with later dementia risk, which makes it exciting and also a candidate for replication.
Why this matters now
Dementia is now one of the leading causes of death in England and Wales, which makes prevention a public health priority. People want clear, practical steps they can take to protect memory and thinking as they age. While no single habit guarantees protection, research into modifiable risk factors gives us more tools to work with. The sauna findings add to that broader conversation by pointing to a familiar, accessible activity that might support long-term brain health. The key is to interpret the evidence carefully and put it in context with what we already know works.
How could a sauna support brain health?
Scientists suggest that the benefit may be tied to the heart. Sauna bathing can improve circulation and may lower blood pressure for some people. Better vascular health supports the brain by delivering oxygen and nutrients while helping to remove waste products. Because many forms of dementia have a vascular component, improved blood flow and vessel function could plausibly reduce risk over time. This biological pathway is plausible, but it still needs more direct testing to confirm how much a sauna contributes beyond other healthy habits.
Read the fine print on the findings
The study was observational, which means it identifies an association rather than proving cause and effect. People who take frequent saunas may also differ in other ways that support brain health, even after researchers adjust for known factors. The participants were all middle-aged Finnish men, so we cannot assume that the same risk reduction applies to women, younger adults, older adults, or people in other countries and cultures. As the first study of its kind, it opens the door to new research rather than closing the case. Based on this evidence alone, it is too early to recommend starting a sauna routine solely to prevent dementia.
What to do now, based on stronger evidence
If you want to lower your dementia risk today, focus on habits with solid scientific support. Be physically active on a regular basis, since exercise is consistently linked with better brain function and lower risk of cognitive decline. Follow a nutritious, balanced diet that emphasizes whole foods, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Do not smoke, and if you do, seek help to stop as soon as possible. These steps make a measurable difference for heart and brain health, and they can be started at any age.
Resources from Alzheimer’s Society
You do not have to navigate prevention alone. Alzheimer’s Society offers a free risk-reduction booklet with plain-language guidance on dementia and lifestyle changes that can help lower risk. For people already living with dementia, the Feel Good Folder provides ideas and structure to help stay active and engaged, and the Society welcomes feedback on how it works for you. You can explore research insights through an interview with Dr Claudia Metzler-Baddeley of Cardiff University and CUBRIC from the Autumn 2016 Care and Cure magazine, which covers brain imaging and prevention. There is also a recording of the Society’s virtual Annual Lecture focused on what is known about prevention and practical steps to reduce risk, and you can subscribe to regular email updates with tailored preferences and strong privacy safeguards.
Safety and the bottom line
If you already enjoy sauna sessions and your clinician says it is safe for you, consider this study one more reason to savor the steam. People with heart disease, low blood pressure, or other medical conditions should ask a healthcare professional before increasing sauna frequency. The headline finding is encouraging, yet the smart move is to combine enjoyable routines with proven strategies. Frequent sauna use is associated with lower dementia risk in this study, but it is not a confirmed preventive treatment. Keep prioritizing daily movement, a balanced diet, and smoke-free living while research on saunas and brain health evolves.