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The Beginning

Constant knee pain makes it hard to be active, so in mid 2015, I did a lot of sitting and reading. One of the books was Norman Doidge’s The Brain’s Way of Healing.

Chapter 4 covered the effect of red and near infrared light on the brain and spinal cord, and there were some remarkable stories told. In passing, Doidge mentioned the positive effect of red and near infrared light on arthritic joints and damaged tendons.

I went hunting on Google Scholar and found some medical journal articles that Continue reading “The Beginning”

Meet Cossack

Cossack Light Hat

This is a photo of a very cleverly designed light hat, called Cossack. Created and named by Michael, one of the founders of Light Ahead Inc, Michael has given permission for the blog to publish instructions.

Cossack is a brilliant design as it solves the ventilation problem that is inherent in the use of plastic buckets. The frame is made from aluminium coated garden mesh available from hardware and gardening stores.

More details are coming…

 

Hot off the press…

Transcranial red light can improve Parkinson’s disease symptoms. This article calls for increased recognition of the huge potential of Photobiomodulation as a safe, home-based therapy in neurodegenerative diseases.

The article Exploring the use of transcranial photobiomodulation in Parkinson’s disease patients has just been published in the journal Neural Regeneration Research.

It is based on the work of Dr Frank Nicklason, Dr Catherine Hamilton, Prof John Mitrofanis, Nabil el Massri and David Hamilton.

This article provides a strong argument for faster action in clinical trials. The improvements being experienced and documented by daily light hat users provide convincing and exciting evidence that red lights on the brain do something good. Continue reading “Hot off the press…”

“To sleep, perchance to dream”

Trans-cranial red light can improve REM or dream sleep disruption in people with Parkinson’s Disease.

For spouses of people with Parkinson’s, the above quote can be a threat.

We have a protective mechanism that stops the body moving during dream or REM sleep. So while you are dreaming about running away from an enraged grizzly bear, your body is still.

One of the many awful things about Parkinson’s is that can disrupt this protective mechanism during dream sleep. This means that when the grizzly bear is chasing, your body is no longer still. You are running as fast as you can while lying in bed.

If your spouse is lying next to you, it is like war has broken out. Your frantic running from the grizzly bear results in an eruption of kicking and thrashing. You are fast asleep but your spouse has had a rude awakening.

Daily light hat use can stop warfare during dream sleep.

There has been a steady increase in the number of spouses reporting that the outbreaks of war have stopped following daily use of red light. As well, the person with Parkinson’s feels that sleep is of a better quality.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

One of the reports came from a chap who had the DBS procedure. He was initially apprehensive about using an Eliza because of his DBS, but there is no good scientific reason to suspect that there would be any adverse reaction.

His dream sleep has resumed being peaceful, and he is much happier with improved sleep. And so is his wife.

Prof John Mitrofanis presentation

Prof John’s presentation at the recent Melbourne conference covered two areas:

  1. the development of the research into red &near infrared light and Parkinson’s disease; and
  2. the results of recent case-studies of four Tasmanians using Eliza light hats.

I’m not able to post the exact presentation he gave a few weeks ago, but I am able to give you detailed notes that I took on 6 December 2016, when Prof John spoke to the group of people involved in the Eliza activities in Tasmania. These notes cover point (1) above.

The information Prof John covered in point (2) has been accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, and when that article appears, I’ll be able to post it on the blog. That might not be for a few months, so keep watch on the blog. Continue reading “Prof John Mitrofanis presentation”

Diagnosing Parkinson’s

Brian Sherman

This is a wonderfully written description of the difficulties that Parkinson’s disease can present. It can be debilitating, sneaky, and extremely hard to diagnose with certainty.

This story, from The Sydney Morning Herald/The Age describes the confusing symptoms of the early years, the procession of varying medical opinions and, too familiar to many, the sheer misery PD can inflict.

12 Volts DC

Be safe. Make only 12 volt light devices.

Just in case you have an urge to build an Eliza using 240 volts, then DON’T.

Light hats made with 12 Volt Direct Current work well. They are safe to make and use at home.

12 Volts DC is a safe way for us all to make and use light devices at home.

Remember the Goldilocks Effect. More power is not going to help, and if you start playing with 240 volts you are entering dangerous territory.

DO

  • Make 12 volt DC light devices
  • Use it daily
  • Email me through the blog and tell me how you are going

DON’T

  • Try using higher voltages