Visitors enjoy a sauna at Bara Bastu, a unique festival celebrating sauna culture, in Stockholm, Sweden, May 17, 2025.
Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images
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Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images
For centuries, people have sought out saunas and hot springs for their purported healing properties. But the science behind these claims can be quite vague. So NPR science correspondent Will Stone traveled to the International Sauna Congress in Norway to find out what we know about the health benefits of saunas.
This episode was produced by Gabriel Sanchez, with engineering by Éowyn Fain. Our director is Elena Burnett.
It was edited by Adam Raney.
Our interim executive producer is Courtney Dorning.
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