Red and near infrared lights – can they help degenerative neurological diseases?
Red lights can act on the body in two main ways:
Directly – where the light connects to the cell
Indirectly – where the energy from the light impulse is transported to other parts of the body. The term for this is the “abscopal effect”.
Prof John Mitrofanis gave an excellent presentation today to clinicians at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
He took the audience through the ten plus years of research into red lights and Parkinson’s in animal models.
Continue reading “Red lights preserve brain cells…and make more of ‘em”I’ve been reading articles suggesting that Alzheimer’s disease is linked with a disruption of brain wave patterns, especially the gamma waves which are predominant in the brain when we are concentrating and focussed.
One group increased gamma wave activity in Alzheimer’s mice by pulsing light. In this research, it wasn’t the light that was of interest to the researchers, it was the pulse rate. They used 40Hz, in the gamma brainwave frequency range.
Here is a great report about that experiment and it’s implications.
…stimulating neurons to produce gamma waves at a frequency of 40 Hz reduces the occurrence and severity of several Alzheimer’s-associated symptoms in a mouse model of the disease.
It seems that pulsing the light does more than enable red light to penetrate more deeply into the brain. Pulsing at 40Hz seems to stimulate the brain’s immune and clean-up cells, the microglia to get cracking with brush and pan.
I have visions of microglial cells dancing to the 40 Hz rhythm as they clear up brain rubbish, including the proteins that accumulate in Alzheimer’s – amyloid and tau.
In 40Hz pulsed red light, the brain gets the benefits of the red light action inside the cells, and the benefits of brain-protection activities stimulated by brainwaves responding at 40Hz.
Fascinating stuff, isn’t it.
Meanwhile, if you are feeling worried that your Eliza or Cossack doesn’t pulse, don’t fret. The daily light dose is doing its work. More.
I’ve been answering a lot of emails from people who have recently read about the red/near infrared lights and Parkinson’s disease.
The stories have given hope, and justifiably so, as the case reports have shown that red and near infrared light can help PD symptoms.
But expectations must match the reality of red and near increased lights.
Red and near infrared light will NOT cure Parkinson’s disease.
Red lights will not magically return people to their previously healthy selves.
Red lights will not take the place of PD medication.
Red lights will not create immediate improvements.
In different people, depending on the degree of the disease and their general health, the lights will have variable effects. These effects occur slowly and subtly over time.
Any improvements, however small are worth having, but they do not occur speedily nor dramatically.
I would ask that you temper your expectations.
Maintain hope, but do not expect miracles for you will be disappointed.
Three years ago, I would have said that if you have had PD for a long time, then using a red light hat may help a bit. That comment was based on two things: Continue reading “If you’ve had Parkinson’s disease for many years, will red lights help?”
Photobiomodulation, shortened to PBM, is defined as the use of low level red and near-infrared light on the body. The intention is not to hear or burn the tissues, but to give a bigger dose than you would get from just sitting in the sunshine.
PBM is also called LLLT (low level light/laser therapy).
Reading medical journal articles is like doing battle with a big dictionary. Lots of polysyllabic words, and lots of abbreviations.
Photobiomodulation, shortened to PBM, is defined as the use of low level red and near-infrared light on the body. The intention is not to heat or burn the tissues, but to give a bigger dose than you would get from just sitting in the sunshine. Continue reading “Photobiomodulation – what is it?”
I’ve had a number of people tell me that conversations with their GP or specialist about red and near infrared lights haven’t gone well. One chap took his newly-made Eliza to show his neurologist, who roared with laughter and said that it would be very handy at Christmas.
I remember my reaction when patients brought in newspaper clippings about the latest and greatest cure for something – I’d keep a smile on my face and inwardly groan.
If you are getting less than supportive noises from your doctors, don’t get cranky with them, because they are trying to protect you. There are lots of charlatans and snake oil merchants out there, and people with chronic diseases are easy targets. They are worried that you and your family are going to be taken in by costly rubbish. If you read about the beginnings of my learning about red lights, here, you’ll see that I was also very skeptical.
So what can you do?
Red lights on the brain 