The brain needs three things in order to create neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to change and adapt):
Oxygen
Fuel (energy, which is acquired through glucose and/or ketones)
Stimulation (various forms of sensory, cognitive, and motor activities that enhance brain function and promote the formation of new neural connections)
Red and near-infrared (NIR) light therapy helps to create neuroplasticity by increasing two of those three things: oxygen and fuel.
What Is Red/NearInfrared Light Therapy?
Red/NIR light therapy is a therapeutic technique in which selected areas of the body are exposed to red and NIR light, which promotes energy production and healing. In order to allow for absorption of red/NIR light, the skin must be exposed (not covered by clothing or accessories). Most red light panels use both red and NIR light.
All light, visible or not, is considered a form of energy. Light is measured on a spectrum ranging from high energy to low energy, or short wavelength to long wavelength. Longer wavelength is equivalent to lower energy (likewise, shorter wavelength is equivalent to higher energy). A helpful way to remember that is to think of “double L,” longer equals lower.
Only a small portion of the spectrum of light is actually visible to the human eye. This portion is known as the visible spectrum. The visible spectrum is divided into seven colors that correspond to different wavelengths. The seven colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. On the visible spectrum, red light has the longest wavelength out of the seven colors, which allows it to penetrate the skin the most deeply compared to the other colors. NIR light, which is beyond the visible spectrum (and therefore not visible to the human eye), has an even longer wavelength than red light. This means it can penetrate deeper into the skin than red light can.
In summary, red light is one form of light on the visible spectrum, and the visible spectrum is a subset of the entire light spectrum. NIR light is also a subset of the entire light spectrum, it is just not visible to the naked eye.
How Does Red/NIR Light Therapy Work?
Before delving into how red/NIR light therapy works, let’s go over some key terms.
Cells are the building blocks of life. Cells are made up of organelles, which are structures that perform specific functions within the cell. The mitochondrion is the organelle responsible for energy (ATP) production. Mitochondria are often referred to as the cell’s energy factory, or the powerhouse of the cell.
Photobiomodulation is a therapeutic technique that uses light to stimulate biological processes in the body. “Photo” means light. “Bio” means biological, or biological processes. “Modulation” refers to the process by which something is adjusted, influenced, or modified in order to achieve a desired effect. In biological contexts, modulation refers to altering or exerting influence over biological processes. Photobiomodulation involves the use of specific wavelengths of light, usually red or infrared wavelengths, to adjust (modulate) cellular processes like energy production, inflammation, and repair. Red/NIR light therapy is a form of photobiomodulation. To put it simply, the light induces cellular and molecular changes that promote healing and repair.
Glucose is a type of sugar that acts as a primary energy source for your cells. Cells use glucose to produce energy (ATP) through a process called cellular respiration. Glucose is found in food. That’s why you need to eat in order to have energy to do whatever it is you need to do during the day!
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a molecule that provides energy for many cellular activities and processes. It’s known as the “energy currency” of the cell. One key thing to note is that ATP isn’t just used during physical exercise. ATP provides energy for cellular processes, which are activities that occur within cells to maintain life and support overall health. One such cellular process is cellular repair - the process by which cells divide, replicate, and repair themselves - which supports tissue health and recovery. Another example of a cellular process is the transmission of electrical and chemical signals within and between cells, which is crucial for brain function, mental/cognitive activities, emotional regulation, and even muscle contractions. All of these cellular processes require the utilization of ATP.
Aerobic cellular respiration is the process by which human cells generate ATP. “Aerobic” means that oxygen is used. During aerobic cellular respiration, glucose combines with oxygen to break down and form ATP and carbon dioxide.
The formula for aerobic cellular respiration is:
glucose + oxygen → ATP + carbon dioxide
Here’s how red/NIR light therapy works. The red/NIR light essentially helps the mitochondria work more effectively by increasing the efficiency of aerobic respiration. The more quickly the mitochondria can work, the more energy they can make. This is why red/NIR light therapy is so beneficial. It causes more efficient ATP production, which facilitates cellular processes essential for healing and promoting positive health. This will ultimately help to create neuroplasticity and change brain function!
Diving Deeper
If you want a more detailed scientific explanation of how red/NIR light therapy works, read the section below. Otherwise, skip to the next section.
Aerobic cellular respiration has 3 stages: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and electron transport. Electron transport (which is the stage that’s relevant to red/NIR light therapy) occurs in the mitochondria and involves what’s known as the electron transport chain. The electron transport chain is a series of protein complexes that facilitate the ATP generation process by transferring electrons
Cytochrome C is one of the proteins in the electron transport chain. Cytochrome C acts as an electron carrier in the transfer of electrons between protein complexes in the electron transport chain. This transfer of electrons is required to generate ATP. Nitric Oxide is a molecule that can inhibit the proper function of cytochrome C. This inhibition, which happens via the binding of Nitric Oxide to cytochrome C, can potentially reduce ATP production.
One theory about the mechanism of red/NIR light therapy is that it interacts with cytochrome C and it enhances its ability to help the electron transport chain produce more ATP. It is also theorized that red light might help "knock off" non-beneficial nitric oxide, freeing up cytochrome C to bind more effectively with oxygen. When nitric oxide is no longer around to bind to cytochrome C and inhibit oxygen utilization, oxygen can be more readily available for utilization in cellular processes. In summary, it is theorized that red/NIR light therapy makes the electron transport stage of aerobic respiration more efficient, aiding in more ATP production. This is how red/NIR light therapy increases the availability of both fuel and oxygen to aid in neuroplasticity.
Benefits of Red/NIR Light Therapy
Red/NIR light therapy yields the below benefits by increasing ATP, which helps cellular processes such as cell repair and the transmission of signals within and between cells.
Here’s a list of some of the most well-known benefits:
Reduced fatigue
Improved skin health
Reduced inflammation
Pain relief
Enhanced muscle recovery
Improved joint health
Mood enhancement
Improved sleep quality and circadian rhythm regulation
Increased cognitive function
Reduced acne
Enhanced circulation
A Look at the Research
Many studies have been published about red/NIR light therapy and its unique benefits.
A systematic review about brain photobiomodulation therapy claims that using red to near infrared light therapy is an innovative treatment for a wide range of neurological and psychological conditions. There is increasing interest in its therapeutic role in treating dementia, Parkinsons, stroke, brain trauma, and depression. Photobiomodulation is indeed a promising treatment option (to supplement, not replace, existing treatments) for depression and may help with mood improvement and depressive symptom reduction.
According to a study about Alzheimer’s Disease and photobiomodulation, a wide variety of evidence suggests that photobiomodulation can be utilized for neuroprotection, which essentially means to protect neurons (brain/nerve cells) from damage, to promote their survival and longevity, and to reverse apoptotic signaling processes. Apoptosis is like the “cleanup crew” for your body’s cells. It means programmed cell death, or the process of eliminating damaged, malfunctioning, or potentially harmful cells. Apoptosis is a critical and necessary process for maintaining healthy tissues and organs. Apoptosis can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the context. For example, in cancer, apoptosis is a good thing, because cancer cells evade the apoptosis process by growing uncontrollably. This is why cancer treatments involve forcing cancer cells to undergo apoptosis to stop their growth. However, an example where apoptosis is a bad thing is Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s Disease is a case where neurons die off more than they should. This excessive “cell dying” contributes to memory loss and cognitive decline. The aforementioned study talks about how using photobiomodulation reverses harmful apoptotic cell signals (signals that tell the cells to die when they shouldn’t) to protect neurons from unnecessary death and promote their survival, which helps to maintain cognitive function and slow down the process of cognitive decline.
This study stated that photobiomodulation appears to be a promising strategy for Alzheimer’s Disease treatment because beneficial effects of photobiomodulation have been reported, such as improved cerebral metabolic function, increased expression of neurotrophic factor expression, improved neurogenesis, and reduced neuroinflammation.
There’s even research discussing photobiomodulation’s relevance to COVID. This paper states that “laboratory experiments show that red and near infrared light, with wavelengths approximately in the range of 600–700 nm and 700–1000 nm respectively, have the potential to reduce lung inflammation and fibrosis, and hence acute respiratory disorder syndrome, a major cause of death in every coronavirus pandemic, including the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.”
How and Why CFNC Uses Red/NIR Light Therapy
At CFNC, we utilize red/NIR light therapy to help give our patients a boost before or after treatment. We also use red/NIR light therapy to complement and enhance the positive effects of the other therapies we provide.
The location where we use red/NIR light therapy depends on what condition(s) the patient has.
Examples include:
Dysautonomia: head, stomach, feet, hands
Post Concussive Syndrome: head, neck
Dizziness: head, neck
Hashimottos: front of neck and face
GI complaints: stomach
Neurological Complaints: head and face
Improve in health and well being: face
Acne and anti-aging: face
Migraines: neck and head
Peripheral Neuropathy: onsite of the neuropathy
Musculoskeletal Complaints: onsite of the complaint
Each individual session is usually 10-20 minutes long, however your CFNC provider will give you specific instructions that are tailored to your needs. Many studies have shown that benefits can be seen after an average of 10 sessions, but maintenance treatments are recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions About Red/NIR Light Therapy
What brand does CFNC use?
We use Joovv devices in our offices and highly recommend them! Use code CFNC18 for $50 off your first purchase.
Can you get red light naturally?
Yes! Sunlight, specifically during sunrise and sunset, is a natural source of red light. Unfortunately, most people are usually not outside during those specific times to absorb the natural red light. That’s why red light therapy is beneficial.
Can red light give you Vitamin D?
No. Vitamin D is stimulated in our cells from a different source of light, specifically UV light (which has a shorter wavelength than red light). Vitamin D deficiency can decrease calcium production and cause mood swings, so it’s a good idea to make sure you have enough Vitamin D for adequate calcium production and stable moods. Red/NIR light therapy can also increase calcium production and improve moods. This just goes to show that Vitamin D and red/NIR light therapy can have a synergistic positive effect on overall health, since they offer similar benefits!
Is it evidence based?
Yes! Multiple studies have demonstrated that it is evidence-based. When a treatment is considered evidence-based, it means that that treatment is grounded in a substantial body of evidence, including empirical research and data. Empirical research refers to research that has been meticulously tested, as opposed to just relying on theories. Empirical research involves collecting data using objective methods, such as experimentation and observation.
References
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Wong-Riley MT, Liang HL, Eells JT, Chance B, Henry MM, Buchmann E, Kane M, Whelan HT. Photobiomodulation directly benefits primary neurons functionally inactivated by toxins: role of cytochrome c oxidase. J Biol Chem. 2005 Feb 11;280(6):4761-71. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M409650200. Epub 2004 Nov 22. PMID: 15557336.
Wunsch A, Matuschka K. A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase. Photomed Laser Surg. 2014 Feb;32(2):93-100. doi: 10.1089/pho.2013.3616. Epub 2013 Nov 28. PMID: 24286286; PMCID: PMC3926176.
Hashmi JT, Huang YY, Osmani BZ, Sharma SK, Naeser MA, Hamblin MR. Role of low-level laser therapy in neurorehabilitation. PM R. 2010 Dec;2(12 Suppl 2):S292-305. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2010.10.013. PMID: 21172691; PMCID: PMC3065857.
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. cellular respiration. Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Aug. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/science/cellular-respiration.
Michael R. Hamblin The role of nitric oxide in low level light therapy, Proc. SPIE 6846, Mechanisms for Low-Light Therapy III, 684602 (25 February 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.764918