Red Light Therapy

A record number of people are dealing with issues related to anxiety, depression and mental health.  Fortunately, there is a very interesting treatment technology out there called red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation. By exposing the body to a low wavelength of red light (600 to 1000 nanometers), red light therapy stimulates increased energy production in the cells, which leads to myriad of health benefits.

 

Research is increasingly demonstrating the benefits of using red light therapy for dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other brain conditions. Continued studies indicate that brain photobiomodulation therapy can enhance the metabolic capacity of neurons and stimulate anti-inflammatory and antioxidant responses, as well as neurogenesis (the formation of new neurons/brain cells).

 

This may be particularly helpful for individuals dealing with memory or mood conditions.Red light therapy may also help patients with Parkinson’s disease manage their symptoms and sleep/wake cycles.  Many researchers believe that red light therapy for brain disorders will become one of the most important medical applications in the coming years and decades.

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Red light therapy is emerging as a promising new treatment to help support concussion recovery. A recent study done by Mass General Hospital found that red light therapy helps accelerate brain healing and could benefit patients with TBI.

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Another study conducted by the university of Utah, found that individuals suffering from repeated head injuries when treated with red light therapy were found to have improved reflex time, grip strength, decreased depression and better sleep quality.

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How does Red Light Therapy Work in Helping the Brain to Heal?

Here is a list of actions:

Reduced excitotoxicity (nerve cell damage or death from out of whack neurotransmitter levels.

Reduced apoptosis of brain cells (programmed cell death)

Angiogenesis-forming new blood vessels from old ones. 

Increased neuron progenitor cells (stem cells that turn into brain cells)

Increase blood flow

Increased uptake of oxygen in the mitochondria(powerhouse of the cell)

All of which translate into the improvement of many brain-related conditions.

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In a review study published by Dr Michael Hamblin, Shining light on the head: Photobiomodulation for brain disorders - PMC (nih.gov) - he takes a deep dive into many different studies that examined the effects of red light therapy on many types of neurological conditions. His investigation included research on concussions and TBI. His concluding statement is that red light “for brain disorders will become one of the most important medical applications of light therapy in the coming years and decades”.

 

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