Whole-Body Hyperthermia as Novel Antidepressant Therapy: Review
Can heat therapy treat depression?
Yes, whole-body hyperthermia shows immediate and persistent improvements in depression symptoms. Clinical studies demonstrate heat therapy works faster than traditional antidepressants. Revolutionary benefits:
- Immediate effects - mood improvements seen during/after single session
- Persistent benefits - effects last weeks after treatment
- No medication side effects - non-pharmaceutical approach
- Faster than drugs - works immediately vs weeks for antidepressants
A comprehensive review published in Biomarkers in Neuropsychiatry examines whole-body hyperthermia as a novel antidepressant therapy. This emerging somatic intervention addresses the limitations of traditional treatments that often take weeks to work and may cause adverse effects, offering a promising new therapeutic approach for major depressive disorder.