Infrared sauna blankets offer a type of heat therapy, which is generally thought to offer a number of benefits. “In addition to warming the body/increasing core temperature, infrared sauna blankets can also help to stimulate tissue, contributing to improved blood and oxygen flow and increased muscle relaxation. Infrared sauna blankets may also activate cellular processes and activity, such as protein synthesis, detoxification, and/or immune responses from white blood cells,” says Dr. Connor.

That said, there is still very limited research about these blankets and their efficacy. In theory, the benefits should be similar to other forms of heat therapy, however, there isn’t currently enough evidence to know for sure.

“It’s very subjective, and everyone who does this has to try the blanket and see if it’s working for them,” says Darshan Shah, MD, a health and wellness specialist and board-certified surgeon. “Some people can have no benefit, and some people can can see benefits, and it just depends how each individual reacts to it, because we don’t have large scale studies for red blankets, there’s no way to know for sure how many people it’s helping as far as longevity.”

Still, if you are using the sauna blanket safely (considering time, temperature, proper hydration, consulting with your doctor before, listening to your body) and you feel good after using it, then it can be a great addition to any wellness routine. Just know that researchers are still determining their true health potential.