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Feeling constantly drained? You’re not alone. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel exhausted and overwhelmed. But what if there was a natural way to recharge your energy and boost your overall well-being?
Enter red light therapy.
What is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy involves exposing your body to safe wavelengths of red and near-infrared light. This therapy, backed by over 2,000 studies, was even adopted by NASA!
Initially, NASA used red and blue light to try and grow plants in space. They discovered that red light helped astronauts heal wounds faster, which led to a boom in red light therapy research.
How Does it Work?
Think of your cells as tiny batteries. Inside each cell are mitochondria, often called the “powerhouses” of the cell because they produce energy. We need energy for everything we do, from thinking and remembering to digesting food and moving our muscles.
When our mitochondria aren’t functioning optimally, we feel tired, and our cells can’t work as well. Red light therapy works by energizing these mitochondria, giving your cells the boost they need to function properly!
What are the Benefits?
Red light therapy has shown promise in improving various aspects of health and well-being, including:
- Increased Energy Levels: Red light therapy can improve mitochondrial function, leading to more energy and less fatigue.
- Better Sleep: Red light therapy can help regulate your circadian rhythm, the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, and improve melatonin production. Melatonin is a hormone that helps us sleep, but it also acts as an antioxidant for our mitochondria.
- Improved Skin Health: Red light therapy can stimulate collagen production, reduce inflammation, and improve skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
- Reduced Pain and Inflammation: Red light therapy can help reduce pain and inflammation in muscles and joints. For instance, red light therapy has been studied as a treatment for tennis elbow.
- Enhanced Workout Recovery: Red light therapy can help reduce muscle soreness and speed up recovery after workouts.
- Improved Blood Sugar Regulation: A preliminary study found that red light therapy on the back led to a 27% reduction in blood glucose levels after a glucose tolerance test.
- Potential Gut Health Benefits: A small study on Parkinson’s disease found that shining red light on the abdomen led to an improvement in symptoms and increased diversity of the gut microbiome.
Is it Safe?
Red light therapy is generally considered safe when used correctly. However, it’s essential to use a high-quality device registered with the FDA. FDA registration ensures that the device’s marketing claims are monitored, and any adverse events are reported.
It’s also important to follow the recommended usage guidelines. For instance, overexposure to red light therapy, especially from large panels or booths, can lead to fatigue, similar to over-exercising.
How to Get Started with Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy devices come in various forms, from handheld devices to masks and large panels. The choice depends on your needs and budget.
My two favorite red light therapy devices are:
For more on red light therapy, check out this podcast episode with Lumebox founder, Dr. Vivian Chen!
