What seemed like a wellness gimmick turned out to have real science behind it, with research linking frequent sauna use to lower dementia risk and better recovery.Consistent heat exposure may improve VO₂ max and endurance by boosting plasma volume and overall cardiovascular function.The benefits come from regular use over weeks, especially post-workout—not occasional sessions.I’ll be honest: when sauna blankets first started showing up all over my Instagram feed, I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly pulled something. They looked like a gimmick—a foil burrito for wellness girlies who wanted to detox their way to abs. Don’t get me wrong, I’m Slavic, and therefore love the banya, but at home? Unheard of.But I had heard other runners discuss the benefits of using one, telling me about their improved recovery and better sleep. My sleep is absolute garbage, so I grabbed the HigherDose sauna blanket , and now I’m a full convert who is also, apparently, accidentally—maybe—improving my VO2 max.…