Winter is coming, which means many things depending on where you are and whether or not you like to ski. But one certainty is that millions of people in northern latitudes will get way less sunshine for five or so months.
And that’s apparently bad for everything from aging to eyesight to arthritis.
One solution is “red light therapy.” Here’s an overview from Chat GPT, followed by some recent study results and a few recommendations.
Red light therapy overview
Red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation or low-level laser therapy, is a non-invasive treatment that uses red or near-infrared light to stimulate various biological processes in the body. This therapy has gained popularity in recent years for its potential health and wellness benefits.
Mechanism of Action
Red light therapy works by exposing the body to low levels of red or near-infrared light, typically through LED or laser devices.
These wavelengths of light penetrate the skin and are absorbed by the cells' mitochondria, the energy-producing powerhouses of the cell.
This interaction with the mitochondria can boost cellular energy production, increase blood flow, and trigger a range of cellular responses that promote healing and regeneration.
Health and Wellness Benefits
Red light therapy is used for a variety of purposes, including:
Skin Health: It may improve the appearance of the skin, reduce wrinkles, and promote collagen production.
Pain Management: It can alleviate muscle and joint pain, as well as reduce inflammation.
Wound Healing: It may accelerate the healing of wounds, cuts, and injuries.
Hair Growth: Some studies suggest that it can stimulate hair follicles and promote hair regrowth.
Mood and Sleep: It may help improve mood and regulate sleep patterns.
Treatment Sessions
Red light therapy sessions are typically short, lasting anywhere from a few minutes to 20-30 minutes.
The frequency and duration of sessions depend on the specific condition being treated and the device used.
Safety
Red light therapy is generally considered safe when used as directed.
Protective eyewear is recommended to shield the eyes from intense light.
It is non-invasive and does not produce heat, making it a comfortable and painless therapy.
And here’s an excerpt from a much longer Marathon Handbook article:
Does Red Light Therapy Improve Muscle Recovery From Exercise?
Studies suggest that red light therapy can be an effective means of facilitating recovery from exercise.
A review of 46 studies investigating the effects of red light therapy (photobiomodulation) on exercise performance and recovery found that red light therapy can improve recovery from exercise by decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress in muscles while simultaneously increasing muscle mass gained after training.
7 Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Workout Recovery and Exercise Performance:
Decreased Inflammation
Faster Healing from Injuries
Improved Aerobic Exercise Performance
A study with competitive male endurance cyclists found that red light therapy helps increase time to exhaustion by decreasing the oxygen deficit or cost of the exercise.
The more you can delay muscular fatigue, the more reps you’ll be able to perform in a workout, which can lead to better gains.
A cure for macular degeneration?
When 100 midlife and older adults, aged 53-91, with the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were treated with experimental light therapy or a sham therapy, the light-treatment group showed signs of improved vision, as measured on a standard eye chart. The treatment group were exposed to a combination of red, near infrared, and yellow light at specific wavelengths.
By the study's end, 67% of those treated with light could read an additional five letters on the chart, and 20% could read 10 or more. About 7% developed geographic atrophy — the most advanced, vision-threatening stage of dry AMD — compared with 24% in the sham group.
Exposure to light at the wavelengths used in the study likely revitalizes failing mitochondria — the power plants inside cells — so they produce more energy, the researchers say.
"This is the first therapy for dry AMD that's actually shown a benefit in improving vision," said study co-author Richard Rosen, MD, chair of ophthalmology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and chief of Retinal Services at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in New York City.
Wide range of options
Red light therapy is a hot new thing in therapeutic circles and is now widely available at clinics and spas (my gym just added a red light bed for an extra charge). And there are hundreds of home-use products that vary widely in price and quality.
Videos
As with everything that appears on YouTube, assume potential conflicts of interest when influencers recommend specific products. So view the following as background info and do your own research before buying anything.
I decided to provide some documentation on the red near infared for those of you who believe in alternative medicine. The first vid is more overview and the second show documetation from the NIH on papers written about near infared red light... You can learn or ignore it. I am glad John brought up this subject because it is amazing.
https://rumble.com/v5clyqp-exposed-why-are-these-powerful-cancer-cures-only-banned-in-the-us.html?e9s=src_v1_ucp
https://rumble.com/v5ekasl-breast-cancer-scam-1.3-million-women-misdiagnosed-while-natural-cures-are-h.html?e9s=src_v1_ucp
I just finished last week listening to a Dr. that has been doing controlled studies with red light. and specifically which frequencys worked best for various problems. He has had great success shrinking breast tumors rapidly. The vision data was interesting with good results. After studying his data and others I bought a full panel with 8 red light frequencies. Should be here soon.