Red lights on the brain

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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”

Circuitry

Circuit diagrams for DIY red light hat.

This post comes courtesy of Michael, designer of the Cossack light hat and star of the DIY Cossack movie.

Michael has made available diagrams and information for those who understand these things.

Keeping records

I’m regularly asked if it is possible to track any changes when starting to wear a light hat.

Light and neuroprotection

This medical journal article should have been posted ages ago. My apologies for being so slow in making it available to you.

Parkinson’s in fiction

A friend has introduced me to the Joe O’Loughlin series by author Michael Robotham.

Joe, a psychologist, is introduced in the first of the series, The Suspect; he lives in and works in London, has a gorgeous wife and daughter and a larger-than-life surgeon father nicknamed ‘God’s physician-in waiting’.

Joe is in his early forties when he first develops symptoms of Parkinson’s. He refuses to acknowledge it initially, but over time it is impossible not to.

Continue reading “Parkinson’s in fiction”

Couldn’t be bothered

For over three years now, I’ve been observing the effect of daily use of red/near infrared light hat devices on people with Parkinson’s disease.

I continue to be astonished at the way red/near infrared lights can improve the non-motor or non-movement symptoms – especially apathy. I think apathy is probably one of the most cruel of the many Parkinson’s symptoms.

Cossack movie update

Make your own Cossack red light hat.

Making the Cossack Hat Frame*

Michael provided additional information for the DIY Cossack movie.

MEASURE THE CIRCUMFERENCE.

Take a generous length of the hat padding being used, and

Fit around the head like a head band.
Adjust to fit comfortably around the head and stick together with adhesive tape .
Don’t cut the foam yet!
Mark the join,
Add 2cm to make the band a bit looser, then
Cut the padding and tape the ends together to form a circle.

Adjust this head band for easy slip-on comfort and for it to have a jaunty tilt towards the back of head. Once satisfied with this, measure the final length. This is the final basic circumference for the preparation of the wire mesh frame.

MEASURE THE HEIGHT OF THE HAT.

Like the circumference, this will depend on the individual.

Typically, 9 squares deep (=120mm) is a good height and allows for either an elastic suspension, or for some 6mm foam pads stuck to the top.

A simple paper or cardboard pattern helps to determine these dimensions.

Cut a paper pattern 150mm high and the above circumference.
Mark the 9 square(120mm) position, and
Tape the pattern into a hat shape.
Check the height to the top of the head, and
Cut the paper to the height needed to fit a padded top for the hat.

* Wire ends are sharp and can cause cuts. So please wear gloves!