Why light therapy should be on your radar – the biology speaks for itself

Sunlight is the foundation of all life on Earth, providing the energy that has shaped our planet from the very start. It is only in recent times that scientists are beginning to understand the profound impact light has on the human body and mind. The sun emits so much energy and provides life for the planet and humans to thrive off of. It’s a critical fuel source for all species and flora. Without the sun’s light, all life on Earth would cease to exist.

In school, we learn that plants absorb light energy from the sun through chlorophyll and photon receptors in the leaves and then transform it into chemical energy. This process is called photosynthesis. Why is it so abstract to think that our human bodies can convert sunlight into different forms of energy?

Well, here’s the reality, our bodies do just that every single day they are exposed to sunlight. Like plants, humans have photon receptors in our cells that enable light energy to be absorbed and start chain reactions that result in energy production. When sunlight penetrates our skin, skull, and brain tissue, our cell’s mitochondria react by increasing ATP production, which is the fuel our bodies and brains need to function.

Throughout human history, civilizations across the globe have used sunlight to prevent or alleviate some diseases. Ancient Egyptians worshipped the sun. In some countries, hospital beds were moved outside so patients to heal from disease in the sun. Later on, we had the advent of LEDs and lasers and NASA even used light therapy first to grow plants at the International Space Station to then later discover it could also help with acceleration of wound healing when dealing with injured astronauts.

The sunlight is not only beneficial, but without it, you may experience mood changes and can lead to depression. According to Healthline, “Decreased sun exposure has been associated with a drop in your serotonin levels, which can lead to major depression with seasonal patterns.” In addition, “Due to this connection, one of the main treatments for depression with seasonal pattern is light therapy, also known as phototherapy.”

Light therapy is becoming an integral part of the modern doctor’s toolbox for a vast array of applications such as neurodegeneration, and neuropsychiatric conditions, but the question most New Zapiens readers will want to know is, how can light therapy be used in my life? What are the applications and benefits?

Increase in cognitive processing speed

Light therapy may not give you superhuman intelligence and cognition, however, small increases in your cognitive processing speed are possible. At a 2024 Super Bowl event In Las Vegas, a college athlete used a Neurocatch Assessment tool using brain event-related potentials or ERPs to measure his processing speed baseline. After recording the baseline he used Neuronic’s light therapy helmet (Neuradiant 1070 nm) for just one 6-minute session and then did a follow-up measurement with the Neurocatch device. He found a staggering 14% increase in his cognitive processing speed.

Boost in short-term memory by up to 25%

In a 2022 study conducted by the University of Birmingham published study, individuals used a near-infrared laser on their prefrontal cortex. The hypothesis is that since the prefrontal cortex is associated with short-term memory performance, applying light there would encourage energy production and enhance the function of this region of the brain. The study found that individuals experienced an increase in their short-term memory by up to 25%.

Enhancing sleep and detoxification

Sleep is an essential aspect and fundamental to our health. While we sleep, the body undergoes lymphatic drainage, a process that removes toxins and waste, including glymphatic drainage in the brain, which helps clean and repair tissues overnight. A recent study shows that light therapy can accelerate this process. The authors of the paper suggest that “photobiomodulation helps improve the overall quality of sleep, and hence well-being and long-term health, of many individuals.”

Reducing brain fog and improving focus

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve become well-versed with the effects of brain fog, including the potentiality to experience long-term, life-altering symptoms. In April 2023 a study reported using light therapy to alleviate symptoms associated with brain fog. Subjects mentioned that before the therapy they were experiencing high levels of fatigue, had a hard focusing, and lacked the mental acuity to function well with a clear head throughout the day. After using the light therapy devices (either a full light therapy bed or a light helmet 3 times a week) for a month, users reported significant benefits and the cognitive tests supported their subjective statements.

Light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, harnesses the biological power of light to support essential physiological processes, providing the body and mind with the energy they need to thrive. We’ve explored how natural sunlight fuels life, the consequences of insufficient exposure, and how advancements in light-based technologies now allow us to bring these benefits into our daily lives.

From enhancing cognitive function and memory to improving sleep, detoxification, and mental clarity, light therapy is emerging as a non-invasive, research-backed approach to optimizing health, performance, and well-being. With increasing scientific support and real-world applications, it’s becoming an essential tool in modern wellness.