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Red light therapy has been used for various health benefits since the early 1990s, but it has only gained popularity in Australia recently. More often than not, the treatment is touted in the Australian wellness community for its various skin benefits but it does more than that. Among its lesser-known benefits is enhancing brain health. Numerous studies over the years have highlighted its exciting potential in supporting brain health and cognitive function, from boosting memory to improving mental sharpness. Below, our Rojo Light Therapy AUS team will discuss the effects of red light therapy on brain health, and how it’s potential to improve brain function.
Red light therapy devices are designed to emit red light and near-infrared light on bare skin. Studies have shown that at specific wavelengths (630 to 660 nanometers (nm) for red light and 810 to 850 nm for near-infrared light), these light spectrums can have a significant cellular stimulating effect on the body.
Most of the treatment’s benefits arise from the reaction of the cell’s mitochondria to light photons which induces cellular respiration. This leads to the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the gasoline that fuels every cell in the body, including the brain’s neurons. So in essence, the more ATP there is, the better the brain cell metabolism is. In addition, this reaction also causes a domino effect that leads to cell formation, improved blood circulation, and decreased inflammation which are all key components in brain health and function.
In one study, researchers found that red light with wavelengths of 610 - 670 nm can penetrate between 2 - 5 mm of the skin, reaching the layer of tissue just below the dermis. Meanwhile, near-infrared light with wavelengths from 810 - 850 nm can reach a little over 5 mm or around 2 inches under the skin. At this depth, the near-infrared light can pass through the skull and cerebrospinal fluid and be absorbed by the brain tissue. So yes, red light therapy can reach the brain through its near-infrared wavelengths.
Brainwaves, the electrical impulses in the brain, occur at different frequencies. Slow waves (delta, theta, and alpha) are associated with states of drowsiness or sleep while fast waves (beta and gamma) are linked with high cognitive activity. Interestingly, studies have shown that high achievers spend more time in the delta, theta, and alpha states compared to most people who spend their waking hours in a beta state of brain activity.
Beta brainwaves are often associated with a logic-driven state of mind and are considered crucial to focused attention. However it is also linked to stress and overthinking, and potentially hinders creative thinking. Gamma brainwaves support beta brainwaves as it facilitates the rapid synthesis and processing of data in the brain.
On the other hand, alpha brainwaves occur with relaxed attention such as when one is engrossed in an enjoyable hobby. In line with this, theta brainwaves are linked to intuition, daydreaming, and super learning. Both these brain activities are free from the constraints of logic or linear thought, allowing innovative and creative thinking.
In a 2012 study, researchers found that near-infrared light therapy at 830 nm wavelength effectively increased alpha, theta, and delta brain activity while decreasing beta brainwave activity. The results were compared to deep meditation and showed great promise in enhancing cognitive functioning and encouraging a better state of mind in response to everyday challenges.
The prefrontal cortex is central to the control of attention, emotion, inhibition, complex learning, and theory-of-mind processing. It’s the part of the brain that activates when you plan, anticipate, and coordinate to achieve goals. According to a 2013 study by the University of Texas, red light therapy promotes activity in this area leading to better attention, mood, reaction time, working memory, and cognitive control processes.
In a study led by Maura Bolrini published in Cell Stem Cell, researchers discovered that the brain continued to produce new neurons in parts responsible for memory as people aged. However, reduced blood flow to the ageing brain limits nourishment for these cells, preventing them from dividing and creating more new neurons. Red light therapy can aid this process by stimulating cerebral blood flow.
This is reflected in a trial study conducted by The University of Sydney School of Medicine and Parkinson’s SA involving people with Parkinson’s from Brisbane, South Australia, and Sydney. Participants used red and near-infrared light on their heads and stomach and within months, they reported already feeling positive results including improved fine motor skills and regained sense of smell. While this study is still young, it serves as a hopeful outlook for other Australian research on the effects of red light therapy on brain function.
Synapses connect neurons in the brain to the neurons in the body. It’s what carries the signals from your brain that allow arm movement or optimal digestion. As people age, the number of synapses drops. However, research has shown that red light therapy can remedy this.
A study co-authored by Michael Hamblin and Madison Hennessy found that red light therapy stimulates synaptogenesis, the formation of new synapses. With new neural connections, the brain’s neuroplasticity, or its natural ability to reorganise itself, improves. This is especially helpful in cases where cognitive functions have been impaired such as in traumatic brain injury.
With many research-backed neurological benefits, red light therapy can be a powerful tool to promote brain health and delay some of the neurological effects of ageing. The good news is as red light therapy gains more traction in Australia, there is also more research being conducted as to its overall benefits. Hopefully, as the results of these studies come out, this alternative treatment can be better understood and maximised to provide a strong and effective solution to cognitive health.
Discover more red light therapy benefits or explore our range of red light therapy panels for home use at ROJO. For more inquiries, call us at 03 7020 2163 or send us an email at sales@rojolighttherapy.com.au.
