Sauna and cold plunge: where does the evidence stand?

About this episode

The episode explores the evidence behind the health benefits of saunas and cold plunge pools.

Saunas and cold plunge pools are popping up everywhere in the UK, bringing fiery heat and icy cold to a beach, city farm or park near you. Their users will be ready with all the reasons why it’s good for both the mind and the body. But what’s the evidence for the benefits of sauna and cold plunge? Madeleine Finlay hears from Ian Sample and from Dr Heather Massey, associate professor at the University of Portsmouth’s extreme environments laboratory.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

People in this episode

Hosts: Madeleine Finlay, Ian Sample

Guest: Dr Heather Massey

Topics covered

• sauna
• cold plunge
• health benefits
• mind and body
• extreme environments

Keywords

• sauna
• cold plunge
• health benefits
• extreme environments
• University of Portsmouth

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Portsmouth

Places: UK

More episodes of Science Weekly

• ‘The undruggable became druggable’: a gamechanging treatment for the world’s deadliest cancer · June 11, 2026 · 15 min
• The dinosaurs who survived the asteroid · June 9, 2026 · 17 min
• Heatstroke, sports washing and VAR psychology: the science of the World Cup · June 4, 2026 · 21 min
• The incredible science of the sleeping brain · June 2, 2026 · 15 min
• Are robots nearing their ChatGPT moment? · May 28, 2026 · 17 min
• Red-light masks: can they really slow ageing? · May 26, 2026 · 14 min