Can You Sweat Out Drugs in a Sauna?

March 1, 2021

Reviewed by: Sanjai Thankachen

Many people who are ready to start their journey towards a drug-free life are nervous about withdrawal and the detox period. Withdrawal is uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous (if not deadly), which often sends people back into the cycle of drug use.

Because of this, it’s common for people to look for ways to make detox easier and less painful. They consider ways to hasten the detox period. And one common thing people consider is a sauna. But do saunas really help a person detox from drugs?

We’re here to talk about it. Keep reading to learn all about whether or not saunas are good for the detox stage.

Can You Sweat Out Drugs?

Many people may be motivated to try saunas for detoxification from drugs due to the widely-held belief that they can be used for purification. People often go into saunas in spas in an effort to bring toxins out of their skin, to sweat off excess weight, and to clear out anything blocking their systems.

While saunas do make you sweat, there’s no evidence that says they’ll do anything as far as “removing toxins.” So do saunas help detox from alcohol? Do saunas help detox from nicotine? What about cocaine, or other hard drugs?

The answer is no, unfortunately. And here’s the science to prove it. Detox can be a dangerous process and should be done under medical supervision at an accredited detox center.

Types of Saunas

Different types of saunas offer varying levels of heat, humidity, and therapeutic benefits. When exploring whether sauna use can support the withdrawal or detox process, it helps to understand how each type may impact the body and mind.

Traditional Dry Sauna

Traditional dry saunas use dry heat from a wood-burning stove or electric heater to raise body temperature. These saunas typically operate at temperatures between 150–195°F and create a low-humidity environment. The heat increases blood circulation, helps sweat out toxins, and may temporarily ease muscle aches—common symptoms during withdrawal. Dry saunas are often found in inpatient treatment centers and may support detoxification when paired with medical guidance and hydration.

Infrared Sauna

Infrared saunas use light waves to heat the body directly without warming the air around you. While the temperature is lower than a traditional sauna, the heat penetrates deeper into the skin, potentially enhancing detox effects and promoting mental clarity. Research suggests infrared sauna therapy may help stimulate the nervous system, reduce cravings, and relieve some side effects of drug detox and alcohol detox. For those asking “does sauna help with withdrawal?”, infrared options are often highlighted for their wellness benefits and gentle approach.

Steam Sauna (Steam Room)

Steam saunas, also known as steam rooms, create a high-humidity environment using moist heat. These rooms are typically set at lower temperatures (around 110–120°F) but with nearly 100% humidity. The moisture can support hydration of the skin and sinuses and may offer temporary relief from certain withdrawal symptoms like tension and anxiety. Steam therapy can also help detoxify the body by opening pores and stimulating sweat—a crucial part of the detox process. As with other types, medical professionals should supervise its use during withdrawal.

Wood-Burning Sauna

Less common in modern treatment centers, wood-burning saunas are still used in some holistic or rural settings. These saunas rely on a wood fire to heat stones, producing a dry, intense heat. While they offer a deeply relaxing experience and help raise heart rate and blood pressure temporarily, they may not be practical for controlled detox programs. However, for those in recovery or post-detox maintenance, they may enhance overall well-being and support addiction recovery as part of a broader wellness plan.

The Science of Sweat

First, we need to consider what sweat is. Sweat isn’t made up of toxins. It’s mostly water, proteins, and carbohydrates.

Toxins of all kinds, even from alcohol and drugs, are held and processed in the liver and kidneys. The spaces between cells in your liver strain out foreign and dangerous substances in order for them to be expelled through the body.

The process of drug elimination happens internally, and while there are ways to speed it up, your sweat has no impact. While you may find yourself smelling different while sweating after drinking, that’s due to your organs working to detox your body.

Excessive heat may even harm your kidneys and liver, meaning that any type of natural detox will be more difficult.

Saunas & Blood Circulation

One of the most well-documented health benefits of sauna use is its ability to improve blood circulation. Whether you’re using a dry sauna or an infrared sauna, the heat causes your heart rate to increase and your blood vessels to dilate. This enhanced circulation supports the body’s detoxification process by helping deliver oxygen and nutrients more efficiently while flushing out pollutants and waste products through sweat. For individuals undergoing drug detox or alcohol detox, better circulation can help ease physical symptoms like muscle aches and fatigue that often accompany withdrawal symptoms.

Increased blood flow may also support the healing of internal organs impacted by substance abuse and bolster the immune system, which can be compromised during early stages of addiction recovery. While saunas should never replace evidence-based care or medical detox, they may offer a supplemental benefit under the guidance of medical professionals. For many clients in an inpatient detox center, regular sauna sessions are part of a larger treatment plan aimed at restoring physical health and emotional balance.

Are There Any Therapeutic Benefits?

So why are people so sure that saunas can help with their detox experience? Well, there’s some logic behind it.

While saunas don’t do anything as far as “removing toxins” goes, they do still have therapeutic benefits that could make detox less uncomfortable.

Saunas may help temporarily relieve aches and pains associated with all kinds of conditions, including certain physical withdrawal symptoms during drug detox. The experience being less painful may help patients tolerate the withdrawal period easier.

Saunas also produce a feeling of relaxation and wellbeing. This is why they’re so popular in spas. While this won’t fix the withdrawal, it will help to take the edge off, so to speak.

And saunas are generally well-tolerated and safe for those going through withdrawal symptoms, as long as the patient remains hydrated.

In a 2018 study, patients undergoing sauna detoxification expressed “high levels of satisfaction with the regimen, noting improved energy, mental clarity, emotional stability, reduced cravings, greater well-being and a positive life outlook.”

That same study called for additional research and measurement of mental health and physical health changes to investigate the extent of how much of an effect sauna detoxification makes.

Do Saunas Help Detox from Drugs? Not Really

While saunas have some impact on your circulation, pain, and mental health, there’s no evidence to suggest that they have a significant effect on the detoxification of drugs and their withdrawal symptoms.

In other words, you can’t sweat out drugs faster than your liver is able to process them. So do saunas help detox from drugs? No, but they may be able to make you feel more comfortable through the process.

Using Saunas with Addiction Treatment

While saunas do not directly ease withdrawal symptoms or replace the need for medical detox, they can play a supportive role when integrated into a broader, evidence-based addiction treatment plan. In licensed treatment centers, sauna use is sometimes offered as part of wellness programming that enhances physical and emotional recovery. By promoting relaxation, improving blood circulation, and encouraging sweating to assist with the detoxification process, sauna sessions can complement therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), group counseling, and medication-assisted treatment.

When used under supervision by medical professionals, saunas may help reduce stress, support mental health, and promote a sense of well-being—all of which are critical in early addiction recovery. At facilities like New Leaf Detox in Laguna Niguel, California, the focus remains on inpatient care that is clinically grounded, but wellness tools like sauna therapy may be included as part of a personalized treatment plan. This integrative approach supports whole-body healing and may help individuals feel more balanced and resilient as they move through recovery.