Here at Mederm Esthetics & Laser Clinic, we can’t emphasis enough how beneficial red-light therapy is. It carries an abundance of health benefits but probably one that people don’t know about is that it can help with mental health. You’re probably wondering how that is even possible? Well, a developing number of studies is indicating that light therapy can exclusively impact the brain in a positive way, by notably helping ease symptoms related to depression and anxiety. Let’s face it, during this covid-19 pandemic our mental health could use a boost.
How does red light therapy work to ease anxiety?
Red light therapy utilizes a lamp, device, or laser with a red light to promote mitochondrial movement. It produces low levels of heat and is safe for your skin as the wavelength is low in terms of inflammation with the UV rays.
Being exposed to specific wavelengths in the red and near-infrared scale releases photochemical responses inside our cells. When chromophores within our mitochondria attract photons from the red and infrared light scale, their electrons get stimulated and accumulate more energy. The outcome provides new obtainable energy that our bodies can utilize for a range of cellular responsibilities, such as igniting useful genes and integrating essential proteins.
In clinical trials and studies using red light therapy with and animals there has been significant success. Such as reduced blood levels of cortisol which is a stress hormone, increased serotonin levels in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, and reduced nitric oxide intensities in those same areas of the brain.
In terms of humans, a clinical trial of red-light therapy for depression and anxiety found that one treatment with an 810 nm laser directed on the individual’s foreheads led to reduced symptoms in their depression and anxiety. As well, cerebral blood flow located in the frontal pole area was heightened during the session.
Benefits red light therapy has on the brain
- Increases lymphatic drainage
- Reducing edema
- Increasing angiogenesis
- Decreasing neuron
- excitotoxcity
- Reducing inflammation
- Boosting levels antioxidants
Benefits of far- infrared
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Better sleep
- Induces relaxation
- Improves hunger.
Red light therapy for sleep
One of the side effects of anxiety and depression is lack of sleep, which can have a major impact on one’s day to day life. Fortunately, red light therapy can help improve sleep. To test red light therapy for sleep on humans, a clinical trial was performed on female basketball players. They performed 30 minutes of red-light therapy each night for two weeks (utilizing a 658 nm wavelength). The end result was substantially better sleep quality and heightened blood levels of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that controls your sleep/wake pattern. Further exploration indicates that red light therapy can assist with sleep inertia, or the fatigue that derives once we wake up. Another study that was completed with 30 adults, wearing red light masks in the evening (producing 628 nm wavelength into each closed eyelid) developed in drastically less tiredness after getting up, and in addition after waking up individuals mentioned they felt more energetic and performed certain tasks better.
Contact us
Come visit us today at Mederm Esthetics and Laser Clinic in Concord for your free consultation. We will answer your questions about red light therapy. We know how important mental health is and anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions out there. In fact, about 3 million Canadians experience anxiety in Canada. So, we want to help you ease your anxiety symptoms and we firmly believe red light therapy is a great option. Come and find out if red light therapy is the right treatment option for you. We’ve done our research and we’ve learned that infrared light has been established to improve the development and response of the innate antidepressants that are located in our brain. For example, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. In addition, red light also helps with cognitive function, verbal memory, executive function, and emotional levels. All things considered, red light therapy is a powerful tool for physical healing and it is becoming more and more popular in the skin care industry.