Could a sauna session help treat depression? early study says maybe
NCT ID NCT05041361
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This small study tested whether adding whole-body hyperthermia (like a sauna session) to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is feasible for adults with major depression. Sixteen participants received up to 8 weekly or 4 bi-weekly sauna sessions along with 8 weekly CBT sessions. The main goal was to see if people would stick with the treatment, not to prove it works. Early results suggest the combination is acceptable, but larger, controlled trials are needed to know if it truly helps depression.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
whole-body hyperthermia (sauna sessions) and cognitive behavioral therapy
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a drug-free way to ease depression symptoms using heat therapy combined with talk therapy.
What could go wrong
This was a very small, early feasibility trial with only 16 people and no comparison group. The results may not apply to everyone, and the sauna sessions are time-intensive (3.5-4 hours each).
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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University of California San Francisco
San Francisco, California, 94115, United States