Infrared Therapy with LED Lights: Photobiomodulation for Cardiac and Brain and Much More
The human body has 6 or 7 types of photosensitive cells from what I understand, but all cells respond to infrared at the mitochondrial level, at the least.
I haven’t had time to detail my findings yet, but I will say that after some usage, there are definitely benefits to infrared therapy aka one form of photobiomodulation.
My feeling is that sunlight is still the best form of photobiomodulation for both UV-B (for Vitamin D) and wide-band infrared, but in the winter, there isn’t much sunlight in temperatures warm enough to make it pleasant to go half-naked. Besides, the infrared light feels great to me, and it works at night too.
- My chest and lungs respond within minutes to infrared therapy by relaxing noticeably.
- I can weight-lift longer and harder if I mix in infrared exposure during the workout. My joints and muscles feel smoother, more limber.
- A multi-year ache in the side of my left chest wall* has disappeared; my presumption is that the 850nm infrared penetrated and helped heal whatever has been nagging me there.
- My wife tells me that my skin looks very healthy, though I think that started some months ago with the RnAReset Pico Silver @AMAZON and RnaReset ReMag @AMAZON (magnesium). But heck, the body needs needs nutrients and irradiation to be fully healthy IMO.
* Possibly an injury from my 2018 bike crashes and also a July 2020 MTB crash which did a nice job on my ribs too.
Photobiomodulation
Cardiac photobiomodulation and cranial photobiomodulation show promise, as do benefits for all sorts of injuries, and possibly some diseases.
A Role for Photobiomodulation in the Prevention of Myocardial Ischemic Reperfusion Injury: A Systematic Review and Potential Molecular Mechanisms
...PBM may have a role as a cardioprotective agent against MIR injury and could protect against the initial cardiac ischemic event and the ongoing damage caused by reperfusion. PBM has been shown to affect a variety of signal transduction pathways that are critical to switching from the deleterious redox stress reactions that occur as a result of reperfusion, towards the more protective redox conditions that can limit injury and promote repair. This could ultimately lead to improved tissue responses, including reduced infarct size and lower rates of restenosis...
Brain Photobiomodulation Therapy: a Narrative Review
Brain photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy using red to near-infrared (NIR) light is an innovative treatment for a wide range of neurological and psychological conditions.
Red/NIR light is able to stimulate complex IV of the mitochondrial respiratory chain (cytochrome c oxidase) and increase ATP synthesis. Moreover, light absorption by ion channels results in release of Ca2+ and leads to activation of transcription factors and gene expression.
Brain PBM therapy enhances the metabolic capacity of neurons and stimulates anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant responses, as well as neurogenesis and synaptogenesis. Its therapeutic role in disorders such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease, as well as to treat stroke, brain trauma, and depression has gained increasing interest...
...The authors conclude that clinic or home-based PBM therapy using laser or LED devices will become one of the most promising strategies for neurorehabilitation in upcoming years
A powerful enough LED light is critical to having a chance at getting the 850nm light deep enough into body tissues; see what I am using below.
Resources
This book is a terrific introduction to infrared therapy, and a no-brainer at about $3:
Multi-watt near-infrared light therapy as a neuroregenerative treatment for traumatic brain injury
As this interview (I prefer the transcript myself, but some like video):
The Science On Red Light Therapy Benefits with Dr. Michael Hamblin
More detailed books:
- Photobiomodulation in the Brain: Low-Level Laser (Light) Therapy in Neurology and Neuroscience @AMAZON
- Handbook of Photomedicine @AMAZON
- Photobiomodulation @AMAZON
The infrared lights I am using are from Hooga Health; I have both the HG1500 and HG500. Please use discount code DIGLLOYD10 for 10% off—I get a commission if you use that code, so I thank you. I bought and paid for both the HG1500 and the HG500 for my own use.