Tag: DIY red light hat

You can make your own light hat, or have someone make it for you. The information is available on the blog. If you are uncertain, fill in the “contact” form and ask.

Pulsed vs continuous light

I’ve had a number of queries about pulsed light.

There is good evidence now that pulsed light is more effective than continuous light. Maybe the cell batteries, the mitochondria like to have a little pause in between receiving a pulse of light energy and directing it into the cell as metabolic energy. It makes sense.

The other reason is that by pulsing the light, the light dose is then the average of the pulse-ON and pulse-OFF. This means you can push the power in the pulse-ON, knowing that it will be offset by the no-pulse time.

I know of several people who have gone on to pulse their LED-based Elizas and Cossacks, and I have nothing but total admiration and envy for them, but there is no way I could do that.

The reasons that I have not previously mentioned the value of pulsed light is because;

1. I couldn’t give instructions to achieve it

2. I didn’t want anyone to devalue the effectiveness of continuous red/near infrared light.

Daily unpulsed red light better than no red light.

If you are using your Eliza or Cossack with continuous red/infrared light, do not be tempted to chuck it in the corner and refuse to use it because it won’t pulse. It is still doing its very best for you, and that is a lot better than nothing.

DIY light hat

It’s wonderful to hear from people making their own light hats. Keep them coming, and please send me photos to post on the blog. I love the creativity people bring to it.

Some important things to remember:

1. 12 volts only. No more than 12 volts, ever.

2. When you search for LED strips, and all the bibs and bobs needed, always choose the 12 volt versions.

3. My experience is that the visible red spectrum (especially 650-670nm) seems to be loved by cells anywhere in the body.

4. But the almost-visible near infrared 810-850nm wavelengths don’t work for every neurodegenerative condition.

5. When in doubt, stick to the visible red, preferably a gorgeous dark red.

Cossack photos

Some wonderful photos of a recent Cossack construction. The creator put the LED strips on the inside of the Cossack, and this required the use of lots and lots of cable ties.

Fortunately, the creator didn’t cut the ends of the cable ties, making for a very fine porcupine or echidna.

Sincere thanks for permission to post these photos.

Cutting to size:

Connecting:

The perfect Cossack frame:

The LED strip was installed inside (outside is probably easier) and held with cable ties:

It is fabulous!

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…