Dr. Ashley Mason is a clinical psychologist and director of the Sleep, Eating, and Affect Laboratory at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at UCSF. Her research centers on nonpharmacological approaches for treating depression, insomnia, and overeating.

In this episode, we discuss:

• (00:00) Introduction
• (08:10) Whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) and sauna use differ
• (17:06) Depression causes thermoregulatory dysfunction – but sauna use may correct it
• (21:12) WBH and sauna use may reduce symptoms of depression
• (33:22) Heating the body slowly may improve heat tolerance and increase WBH effectiveness
• (39:35) Sauna use may benefit people with depression and cardiovascular disease – which often coincide
• (40:18) Dr. Mason and Rhonda are collaborating on new research on depression and WBH
• (44:19) Sauna bathing and similar practices often provide opportunities for people to connect socially
• (53:12) Common causes of insomnia
• (01:01:26) Cognitive behavioral therapy, sleep hygiene, stimulus control, and sleep restriction for treating insomnia

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