Red Light Therapy 101

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As humans, we are made of energy and fueled by light. While nutrition and exercise play a role in our well-being and health, light plays a crucial role in us functioning optimally. New and groundbreaking research is unearthing a new understanding of how our cells function and the evidence points to the power of light.

Through technological advancements in science, it’s discovered that our bodies operate similar to a battery. Wavelengths of light give us power, while our overall health determines our ability to receive and maintain the energy from light. And this is where light therapy comes into the equation.

What is Red Light Therapy?

Science has proven that our bodies interact with specific wavelengths that benefit our bodies in various ways. 

Red light therapy devices, shine red and near-infrared light onto the skin, stimulating the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) within the mitochondria. By stimulating ATP, damaged cells heal, and new cells are produced faster than normal. But we’ll talk more about that in-depth a little later.

Red light therapy comprises both red light and infrared wavelengths, penetrating through the skin’s layers, right into the cells. Red light wavelengths boost collagen and elastin and improve cell communication. It penetrates superficially and helps aid various skin conditions. 

Near-infrared wavelengths stimulate healing, increase mitochondrial function, and improve blood flow and tissue oxygenation. Near-infrared wavelengths penetrate deeply into the body. 

Recharging Your Body From Within

At the core of your body’s healing capabilities are the mitochondria. The mitochondria play a vital role in your internal organs and tissue, including the liver, skin, heart, and muscles. It’s in charge of the body’s energy supply via ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

With both working together, they provide energy to our body and maintain the cell cycle and growth. This is why you’ll often hear the mitochondria referred to as the “powerhouse of the cell.”

Here's how the mitochondria is affected by red light:

LED light wavelengths from 600-800nm(red) and between 810-850nm(infrared) penetrate through the skin into the cells via a red light therapy device.

Light enters the cell's mitochondria, absorbed by chromophores which include EZ water and protein cytochrome c oxidase (CCO), resulting in stimulating activity.

Subsequently, three molecules are affected: Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), and Nitric Oxide (NO).

Interestingly, our body weight is made of 70% water, with 99% of our bodies' molecules also made of water, making it a powerful component in red light therapy treatment.

Research by Prof Gerald Pollock of the University of Washington proved that water adjacent to a cell is structured water, also known as EZ water. This specific water forms a separation of charge, functioning in the body as positive and negative poles - similar to a battery.

What Does “Red Light Therapy” Mean?

While we’ve been talking about red light therapy, what does it actually mean? Typically, “red light therapy” refers to natural light treatments which deliver red and near-infrared wavelengths as natural sunlight using LEDs or cold lasers. 

While you may think red light therapy includes all colors of light, it doesn’t. The term doesn’t include blue or white light, and it isn’t equivalent to full-spectrum light. Red light therapy doesn’t rely on heat, differentiating it from other light-based treatments such as infrared saunas and heat therapy. 

Red light therapy is also known as RLT, photobiomodulation (PBM), phototherapy, LED therapy, LED light therapy, infrared therapy, low-level laser therapy, or low-level light therapy (LLLT). 

Red Light Therapy: The Multilevel Treatment

As stated before, red light therapy works to heal the entire body and functions on multiple levels.

Molecular

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

Retrograde mitochondrial signaling

Reactive oxygen species

Water, opsins, chromophores, cytochrome c oxidase

Calcium

Melatonin

Gene transcription factors

Heat-shock proteins

Akt/mTOR/CyclinD1 pathway

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Cellular

Inflammation, Cytoprotection, Proliferation

Protein synthesis

Stem cell production and migration

Immune cell viability

Retrograde mitochondrial signaling

Transforming growth factor

Pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines

Vascular endothelial

Mitochondrial membrane potential

Tissue

Muscles: Increase endurance, tone density

Brain: Improves cognition and immune

Nerves: Repair and pain relief

Healing bones, tendons, and wounds

Increases hair growth

Improvement of the collagen network, anti-aging, skin disorders

Fat re-absorption improved by enhanced micro-circulation

Improved immunity and lymphatic system

Systemic Effects: Positive Affects on Bodily Systems

Red light therapy affects the body in multiple ways, including bodily systems:

Fascia

Fascia is the thin casing of connective tissue that surrounds virtually every organ, muscle, nerve fiber, blood vessel, and bone in place. While it performs as an internal structure for your body, the fascia also contains nerves, making it almost as sensitive as skin.

The fascia may look like a layer of tissue; however, it’s made up of interwoven layers of collagen and elastin fibers. The fascia is overlooked, yet over recent years, it has been the key to understanding how changes in one area of our body affect others. Red light therapy works to improve communication within the fascia network.

Gut-Brain Axis

The gut-brain axis connects the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with peripheral intestinal functions. Recent research discovered the importance of gut microbiota concerning these interactions.

Red light therapy can positively influence mood and neuropsychological issues by the following:

Reducing gut spasms and bowel inflammation.

Increasing neurotransmitters, activating the brain’s immune system, thus increasing blood flow and eliminating toxins.

Reduce blood pressure and increase circulation to eliminate brain fog and anxiety.

Changes the vagus nerve, which connects the gut and brain. It plays a role in stress and social communication.

Changes of the micro-biome.

Immune System

Red and near-infrared light penetrate through the skin into the cells, which results in low-dose metabolic stress that strengthens the cells’ anti-inflammatory and natural defense systems. In turn, the body becomes resilient to infections.

Safe and low exposure to red light therapy improves the body’s response to external viruses and bacteria. Red light therapy can influence the immune response in the following ways:

Enhances proliferation, maturation, and motility of fibroblasts.

Activates macrophages to behave as phagocytes.

Increases production of fibroblast growth.

Proliferation and activation of lymphocytes.

Release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mast cell degranulation.

Activation of mast cells results in reduced inflammation.

Circulatory System

Red light therapy is scientifically proven to increase the micro-circulation of blood and support the circulatory system as a whole by stimulating the development of new capillaries which carry oxygen throughout the body.

Proper oxygen supply and flow are essential for the proliferation of cells, protein synthesis, tissue restoration, inflammatory response, and angiogenesis. In addition, circulation is also responsible for waste elimination, specifically degenerated cells.

Nervous System

The nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord, neurons, and neural support cells, which is your body’s command center. It controls your movements, automatic responses, and other body systems such as digestion and breathing.

Red light therapy affects the nervous system in the following ways:

Releases growth factors.

Increases the vascular network and collagen.

Facilitates neural regeneration.

Regenerates the nerve lesions and damaged nerves at a faster rate.

Improves the electrophysiological function.

Myelination of fibers.

For all forms of nerve damage, red light therapy offers non-pharmaceutical treatment options. 

Stem Cells

Red light therapy shows impressive results regarding stem cell growth, maximizing the potential of stem cell implantation for various medical needs. Therefore, red light therapy may show positive results after surgery to stimulate stem cells which repair tissues and organs.

In studies, red light therapy has proven to stimulate mesenchymal stem cells in bone marrow, enhancing their ability to reach the brain. This research shows the possibilities of using red light therapy to heal degenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia.

The Origins of Modern Red Light Therapy

It’s clear red light therapy provides multilevel treatment to the body, becoming a popular natural and holistic option for both professionals and consumers, but where did it come from? 

Light therapy technology isn’t new; it’s been around for decades as NASA experimented with red light therapy during the 1980s and 1990s. Over the past 10-20 years, red light therapy reached a breakthrough in LED lighting technology, allowing the production of safe and affordable clinical and at-home devices.