This event has now passed - watch the video of the talk below.
In the next exciting talk from the British Sauna Society, Dr Charles L. Raison talks about his knowledge and research into the interplay of thermoregulation, inflammation & immunity, depression and heat therapy. His most recent work has looked at how raising core body temperatures in depressed patients can have immediate and lasting antidepressant effects. His curiosity and knowledge span an impressive and fascinating array of topics that underpin human wellness, from Tibetan Buddhism, long-distance running, mindfulness and psychedelics. He often relates the modern science in his work back to what he terms 'ancient practices’, giving a holistic view of human evolution.
Charles has been careful to talk of ‘hyperthermia’ rather than ‘sauna’ because - trigger alert - he uses infrared light to raise body temperature in his studies. This reflects his sensitivities to the topic and knowledge of global sweat bathing cultures: he’s well aware that sauna is a complex mix of heat, steam, timing, social, ritual and spiritual factors. That blend is exactly why infrared is perfect for studying - it’s devoid of any conditions apart from heat and is thus perfect for experimental situations when you’re required to look at one variable only and keep all other factors unchanging. In fact, the infrared machine he uses has been coined the ‘fever machine’!
Tickets are free for those signing up early and BSS members - book over on Eventbrite to secure your spot. After those have all gone, tickets come with a £5 or £10 donation to the British Sauna Society.
Speaker
Charles Raison, MD, is the Mary Sue and Mike Shannon Distinguished Chair for Healthy Minds, Children & Families and Professor, School of Human Ecology, and Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Raison also serves as Director of Clinical and Translational Research for Usona Institute, as Director of Research on Spiritual Health for Emory Healthcare and as Visiting Professor in the Center for the Study of Human Health at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Raison’s research focuses on the examination novel mechanisms involved in the development and treatment of major depression and other stress-related emotional and physical conditions, as well as for his work examining the physical and behavioral effects of compassion training. More recently, Dr. Raison has taken a leadership role in the development of psychedelic medicines as potential treatments for major depression. He was named one of the world’s most influential researchers by Web of Science for the decade of 2010-2019. With Vladimir Maletic he is author of “The New Mind-Body Science of Depression” published by W.W. Norton in 2017.
Host
Gabrielle Reason is Communications Officer for the British Sauna Society and Director of the Community Sauna Baths CIC. With a degree in Psychology, Physiology and Philosophy from the University of Oxford, she is particularly interested in the role sauna can play in improving the mental and physical health of individuals and communities.