A major part of human aging is reflected in brain health. Many people face problems such as a decline in cognitive health, memory loss, slow thinking, and other problems. As the critical organ of our body, the quality of the brain is directly connected to our work and life efficiency. Everyday events put constant pressure on the brain, which causes alterations in brain structure and function.
Scientists have identified various lifestyle factors related to long-term brain health and mental function to prevent the risk of poor brain health. In recent years, an innovative treatment called red light therapy has gained significant attention in wellness regimes. It has brought good news to many people as it improves brain functions non-invasively. Today, I'll share how to improve your brain health and cognitive function with red light therapy.
Red Light Therapy Science & Brain Health
Red light therapy works on the body by photobiomodulation and utilizes red and near-infrared light with a wavelength of 630–850 nm as the light source. RLT has no thermal effect but contains a strong penetrating power to reach neurons. It can directly act on the skull to reach the deeper tissues of 5 cm or less. As red light is absorbed into the cell's mitochondria, it can boost the activity of neurons by enhancing their energy metabolism and blood circulation. RLT is well-known for its multifaceted benefits to the body, such as improving inflammation, pain, wound recovery, etc.
Why does the Brain need light?
The brain never stops working, day or night; it always needs energy and enough blood to get oxygen to function properly. The brain always makes new connections to help us learn and have better memory. These connections depend on light to control neurotransmission and synaptic growth. Not getting enough light can mess up our body's natural clock, which is bad for neuronal plasticity and cognition.
Red light therapy Mechanism of Action
Our body has many building blocks—cells, which need constant energy from light to keep working. While exercise and healthy eating are key to maintaining our brain health, light is also super important, allowing the brain to function optimally. The brain has a network of neurons that help send and process information. When neurons are damaged or less active, brain function is affected. Red light therapy/photobiomodulation boost brain health by activating neurons in many ways:
- Increased Blood oxygen content
RLT can quickly enter the blood, increase the oxygen content in the blood, and provide sufficient oxygen and energy to brain neurons, thus improving the function of neurons.
- Promote metabolism
RLT can increase cell mitochondrial metabolism, eliminate free radicals and metabolic waste in the body, reduce neuronal oxidative stress damage, and improve neuronal ATP production.
- Stimulates nerve growth factors
RLT stimulates the brain to produce nerve growth factors that support growth, differentiation, neuronal regeneration and repair mechanisms.
RLT Brain-Specific Advantages
- Improve memory
Memory is the fundamental part of brain function, and stimulating brain neurons by shedding photobiomodulation can improve memory, cognition and working ability.
- Better sleep quality
Sleep disorders such as insomnia and excessive dreaming are often connected with brain dysfunction. RLT can regulate the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, improve sleep quality, and allow people to be more energetic and resilient to cope with daily life.
- Relieves anxiety and depression
Anxiety and depression, emotional disorders not only affect mental health but also cause brain damage. RLT therapy modulates mood-related neurons in the brain, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression and making people feel better.
- Neurological Diseases Prevention
Red light therapy has shown promising outcomes for several neurological disease treatments. For example, in chronic neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, Red light therapy can significantly reduce symptoms and slow the progression of these diseases. Studies have shown photobiomodulation in the brain can promote the repair and regeneration of damaged neurons in stroke and traumatic brain injury by enhancing therapeutic effects.
RLT Practical and Convenient Usage
- Red light therapy is an excellent choice for students, athletes, and professionals who want a non-invasive, safe way to improve cognitive performance. While portable RLT devices do not require professional maintenance, it is critical to understand how to use RLT in conjunction with other treatments. For beginners, start an RLT session at 5–10 min and gradually exceed its duration and frequency for optimal benefits.
- At the same time, we need to recognize red light therapyis not a panacea. It can play an auxiliary role in improving brain function and cannot completely replace other treatments. Therefore, while receiving RLT, we must maintain good lifestyle habits, such as a reasonable diet, proper exercise, and adequate sleep, to comprehensively improve brain function.
RLT Safety and Precautions
Even though red light therapy is great for boosting brain functions, it's important to use it safely.
- If you're thinking about using red light therapy for brain-related health conditions, remember to consult a doctor first. They can help ensure the RLT treatment time, frequency, and dosage are within a safe range.
- Red light therapy needs to be used carefully in special populations like pregnant women, kids, older people, and anyone with severe cardiopulmonary diseases. In rare cases, Side effects could manifest as mild headaches.
- - Always choose devices that are FDA-approvedand certified. Use the red light therapy following the manufacturer's guidelines.
Bottom Line
As a developing strategy for brain health, red light therapy treatment has brought great news to numerous individuals by effectively improving brain function. Red light therapy advances have the potential to slow down cognitive decline, which makes it a safe and non-invasive treatment. In any case, amid utilization, we ought to consider treatment safety under the direction of a proficient specialist. It is believed that with the continuous deepening of medical research, red light therapy will play a more innovative role in contributing to overall human well-being.
Small
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Full
