Summary
In this podcast episode, Dr. Ashley Mason discusses the potential therapeutic value of saunas for treating depression, chronic insomnia, and overeating. She explores the emerging field of whole-body hyperthermia protocols and cites studies that show how heat shock proteins can be activated by infrared therapy. Dr. Mason emphasizes the importance of developing protocols that people can comply with and calls for further research into the potential benefits of sauna therapy for mental and physical health conditions. Additionally, she shares techniques for overcoming insomnia, including sleep hygiene, stimulus control, sleep restriction, cognitive techniques, and relaxation techniques. Dr. Mason also recommends cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) over pharmacological treatments and highlights the importance of sleep restriction and stimulus control in CBTi. In the latter half of the episode, Dr. Mason discusses the benefits of mindfulness and paying close attention to the rewards of our behaviors in overcoming negative habits. She encourages listeners to become more curious about their behavior and to find approaches to mindfulness that work for them. Finally, Dr. Mason and Dr. Patrick discuss upcoming collaboration on a new study that could potentially benefit individuals with mental health issues.
