Joe Rogan on Red Light Therapy and Infrared Saunas
If there's one person who has brought biohacking conversations into the mainstream, it's Joe Rogan. The host of The Joe Rogan Experience has been open about his personal wellness practices, and two therapies come up again and again: red light therapy and infrared saunas. These modalities are clinically validated to support cellular health and recovery.
"Red light, it brings collagen to your skin. It gives your skin a more youthful appearance. It helps your entire body heal better. It helps your mitochondria."
— Joe Rogan, The Joe Rogan Experience
Red Light Therapy: Rogan's Personal Experience
Rogan has spoken extensively about his use of a full-body red light therapy bed. On episode #2436 with Whitney Cummings, he shared a surprising benefit: a massive improvement in his eyesight. Despite having reading glasses on hand, he noted that his vision was previously on a "steady downward" trajectory.
"My vision was on a downward like very steady... I have these things here, these reading glasses. I don't use those at all anymore. I can completely read my phone now with no reading glasses. And before it was a blurry mess."
— Joe Rogan, The Joe Rogan Experience #2436
Rogan also noted that he doesn't use protective eyewear during his sessions, mentioning that the light does not bother his eyes at all. He summed up the experience for himself and his guest by stating, "For both of us, it's improved our vision."
This aligns with emerging research into photobiomodulation's neurological benefits, including studies on brain injury recovery that show light therapy can influence neural tissue repair.
The Rogan Red Light Protocol
Rogan's protocol is straightforward, which is part of its appeal. He doesn't overcomplicate things — he commits to consistency:
- The Device: He uses a high-powered full-body setup, noting, "I bought Gary Brecka's machine... a big giant crazy body machine."
- The Routine: His sessions are straightforward: "I just lay there for 20 minutes."
- The Focus: He targets mitochondrial function and skin health through clinically proven light wavelengths.
- Frequency: Regular use, typically 3-5 times per week.
- Skin benefits: He specifically mentions collagen production and youthful skin appearance as motivating benefits.
How Does Rogan's Protocol Compare to Clinical Recommendations?
Rogan's 20-minute sessions fall within the clinically studied range of 10-20 minutes. Research in Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery supports this duration for optimal cellular response. His 3-5x weekly frequency also aligns with what studies suggest for sustained mitochondrial benefits.
One key difference: clinical protocols often emphasize specific wavelength combinations. Rogan's full-body bed likely delivers both 660nm (red) and 850nm (near-infrared) — the same dual-wavelength approach used in our Redmodo Pro Bed at REDSOL.
Saunas: The Daily "Mental and Physical Blast"
Rogan's sauna habit is legendary in the fitness community. He hits the sauna "almost every single day," usually for 15-20 minutes at a time. While he often uses traditional heat, reaching temperatures of 190-200°F (88-93°C), he has also praised infrared saunas for providing a "gentler, deeper-penetrating warmth for relaxation and recovery."
"Heat shock proteins are the body's repair crew."
— Joe Rogan, The Joe Rogan Experience
For Rogan, the heat is about more than just sweating. He describes the physiological response as feeling like "cardio without moving," a claim backed by many who track their heart rate during intense heat exposure. He uses the extreme temperature to build mental resilience and clear his head.
"I prefer 190-200°F (88-93°C)... it's the full mental and physical blast."
— Joe Rogan, The Joe Rogan Experience
Infrared vs. Traditional: What Rogan Has Said
While Rogan personally gravitates toward extreme traditional heat, he's acknowledged that infrared saunas offer distinct advantages. Infrared heat penetrates deeper into tissues at lower ambient temperatures (typically 110-150°F / 43-65°C), which means you can achieve deep tissue warming without the intense discomfort of a 200°F room.
For most people — especially those new to heat therapy — infrared saunas are more accessible and deliver comparable cellular benefits, including heat shock protein activation, improved circulation, and enhanced detoxification.
Why Heat Therapy Works: The Science Rogan References
Rogan frequently cites conversations with Dr. Andrew Huberman and Dr. Rhonda Patrick when explaining the science behind heat exposure:
- Heat shock proteins (HSPs): These molecular chaperones activate at elevated body temperatures, repairing misfolded proteins and protecting cells from stress damage.
- Cardiovascular conditioning: Research from the University of Eastern Finland found that regular sauna use reduces cardiovascular mortality by up to 50% — data that our cardiovascular case study explores in detail.
- Growth hormone release: Studies show a single sauna session can increase growth hormone levels by 200-300%, supporting muscle repair and recovery.
- Immune activation: Regular heat exposure stimulates white blood cell production, a benefit documented in our immune system case study.
- Stress management: Rogan claims the heat "crushes stress" — and research on cortisol reduction from infrared sauna sessions supports this.
The Combination Effect: Red Light + Sauna Together
One of the most interesting aspects of Rogan's routine is that he uses both modalities regularly. Research suggests that combining red light therapy with infrared sauna sessions may produce synergistic benefits — the heat increases blood flow and opens tissue, potentially enhancing the absorption and distribution of red light wavelengths.
At REDSOL, many of our members follow exactly this protocol: a red light bed session followed by time in our Hot Boxes infrared sauna. It's a one-two punch for cellular recovery that mirrors what Rogan has built into his daily routine.
Rogan's Broader Wellness Philosophy
What makes Rogan's advocacy compelling is that he doesn't position these therapies as magic bullets. He pairs them with rigorous exercise, clean nutrition, quality sleep, and regular bloodwork. His approach aligns with what we see at REDSOL: the members who get the best results are those who use red light and sauna as part of a complete wellness strategy, not as standalone fixes.
He also emphasizes accessibility. Unlike some biohackers who recommend expensive at-home setups, Rogan has acknowledged that visiting a facility with professional-grade equipment makes the therapies available to everyone — which is exactly the model REDSOL was built on.
Experience the Protocol at REDSOL
At REDSOL in League City, TX, you can experience the same clinically validated therapies Rogan swears by. Our Redmodo Pro Bed delivers the full-body red light sessions he uses to boost collagen and mitochondrial health. For those looking for that "deep-penetrating warmth," our Hot Boxes infrared saunas offer the ultimate recovery environment.
Not sure where to start? Our team can help you build a personalized protocol based on your goals — whether that's athletic recovery, skin health, or stress management.
BOOK YOUR INTRO at REDSOL today and start your own biohacking journey.
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