HypErthermia as an Additional Treatment for the Biology and Experience of Depression

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a behavioral (psychotherapeutic) intervention for major depressive disorder (MDD). A highly trained masters' or PhD-level clinician will administer 8 weekly CBT sessions (\~50 minutes each), following the standard cognitive behavioral therapy for depression protocol.

Whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) will be administered by trained research assistants. Preparation for the WBH, the WBH session, and cool down will last 3.5-4 hours, with active WBH lasting up to approximately 140 minutes. WBH will take place in an infrared sauna dome, and the active heating phase will last until the participants has achieved a core (rectal) temperature of 101.3 F.