The Ultimate Human with Gary Brecka - 130. Red Light Therapy: Scam or Science? Here's What The Research Says

Starting point is 00:00:00 Whether you're an athlete looking to recover faster, someone dealing with chronic health issues, or just someone looking to optimize your health, red light therapy has something for everyone. The secret to better health, sharper focus, and even faster recovery lies in something as simple as light. It's true. We have the science to back it up. From boosting circulation to enhancing brain function and reducing inflammation, red light therapy is revolutionizing how we think about wellness. A study published in Frontiers in Physiology in 2022 found, red light therapy is revolutionizing how we think about wellness. A study published in Frontiers in Physiology in 2022 found that red light therapy can help prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which is critical in reducing risk of heart attacks and strokes. Remember, our heart circulates about 30% of the blood in our bodies,

Starting point is 00:00:39 and the rest of it is this vasomotor activity. Studies show that enhanced blood flow to the brain as supported by red light therapy can improve focus, memory, and mood. Here's why you should consider incorporating red light therapy into your routine. Number one. What if I told you that the secret to better health, sharper focus, and even faster recovery lies in something as simple as light? It's true. Red light therapy, RLT, or photobiomodulation uses specific wavelengths of red light near infrared light to supercharge your cells and transform your health. And the best part, we have the science to back it up. From boosting circulation to enhancing brain function

Starting point is 00:01:29 and reducing inflammation, red light therapy is revolutionizing how we think about wellness. I always say, if I only had one device in my house and I have all kinds of biohacking devices, it would probably be a red light or red light therapy bed. Today, I'll break down the science behind red light therapy, why it's more accessible than ever, and how it could be the game changer your body's been

Starting point is 00:01:48 waiting for. Welcome to the Ultimate Human Podcast, guys. I'm your host, human biologist, Gary Brekka, and today we're diving into red light therapy or photobiomodulation, one of the most exciting advancements in health and wellness. It's not just a tool for biohackers or the wealthy anymore. Red Light Therapy is becoming mainstream in an approach to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and enhance overall vitality. We'll explore photobiomodulation, how it works, its incredible long-term effects, and why you should consider integrating it into your wellness routine. So let's break down why this non-invasive therapy is becoming so popular and how it can benefit you. Red light therapy works wonders in improving something called vasomotion, the spontaneous

Starting point is 00:02:29 constriction and relaxation of blood vessels. Think of a snake swallowing a mouse. It's the process that helps regulate blood flow at a local level. When red light, around 670 nanometer wavelengths, penetrates your skin, it stimulates the release of nitric oxide. This nitric oxide is released from something called your endothelial cells. These are the ones that are lining your blood vessels. Nitric oxide is a powerful chemical that signals the smooth muscle around the vessels to relax, causing them to widen or dilate. This dilation improves blood flow, oxygen, and nutrient delivery to tissues. Research from PubMed has shown that red light therapy can enhance circulation,

Starting point is 00:03:12 particularly in people with chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, where their microcirculation is compromised. You might have heard me talk about microcirculation. It is 70% of the blood circulating in our bodies. Remember, our heart circulates about 30% of the blood in our bodies, and the rest of it is this vasomotion or vasomotor activity. Studies reveal that red light therapy helps combat circulatory issues, including impaired wound healing and retinal damage, potentially preventing complications like neuropathy and delayed wound healing. For athletes, listen up because enhanced vasomotion means faster recovery. After intense workouts, red light therapy delivers essential nutrients to muscle tissues,

Starting point is 00:03:49 clears lactic acid, and accelerates muscle recovery. Research from Frontiers in Physiology suggests that athletes who use red light therapy post-exercise experience less muscle soreness and better performance than those who don't. You might have seen on my social media, I use this in all of the professional athletes that I work with. Whether you're trying to recover faster, manage a chronic condition, the localized circulation boost from red light therapy is a game changer for your health. Those of you that are just looking to improve the collagen, the elastin, and the fibrin in your skin, and maybe take on more youthful appearance, you get benefits too. Now let's dive deeper into

Starting point is 00:04:25 the long-term benefits of red light therapy. While it's often associated with short-term benefits like improved circulation and reduced inflammation, red light therapy offers profound long-term effects that enhance your overall health. For example, chronic disease prevention. One of the standout long-term benefits of red light therapy is its ability to reduce oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, two major contributors to a range of chronic diseases like atherosclerosis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. A study published in Frontiers in Physiology in 2022, which I'll link below, found that red light therapy can help prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which is critical in reducing risk of

Starting point is 00:05:05 heart attacks and strokes. By decreasing inflammation at a cellular level, red light therapy can help prevent chronic disease before it starts, making it an essential tool for maintaining long-term health. If we look at cognitive function, red light therapy also promotes better brain function by improving cerebral flow and enhancing vasomotor stability in the brain. Remember, vasomotor is that peristaltic, wave-like motion of our microvasculature that circulates blood through some of our smallest capillaries into some of our most important tissues. This has long-term implications for cognitive health, especially in preventing cognitive decline associated with age. Studies

Starting point is 00:05:45 show that enhanced blood flow to the brain as supported by red light therapy can improve focus, memory, and mood. It reduces the risk of vascular-related cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia. According to Frontiers in Neuroscience, in 2022, improving cerebral flow through red light therapy has the potential to help maintain cognitive function as we age. Now, let's talk about anti-aging, because red light therapy is really gaining popularity in the anti-aging world due to its ability to promote cellular repair, stimulate collagen production, and enhance skin elasticity. Regular red light therapy helps reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and skin sagging.

Starting point is 00:06:25 Studies even show that red light therapy enhances fibroblast activity, which increases collagen production and improves your skin's texture. It makes red light therapy a powerful tool not for just rejuvenating your skin, but for maintaining your skin's health at a cellular level. What if we talk about musculoskeletal health? For people dealing with chronic pain, joint issues, or recovering from injuries, red light therapy has long-term benefits in tissue repair and muscle recovery. There was a recent research study published in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology that found that red light therapy accelerated the repair of musculoskeletal injuries and reduced inflammation and stimulated tissue regeneration.

Starting point is 00:07:06 Whether you have osteoarthritis, tendonitis, or muscle strain, as red light therapy becomes more mainstream, there's a growing variety of devices available for use at home or in wellness centers. The type of device you choose depends on your goals, whether you want to target the face, your whole body, or specific areas for pain. Let's take red light therapy face masks, for example. Face masks are becoming very popular. This is a device for targeted therapy on the skin. They often feature both red and near-infrared lights to improve skin health, reduce wrinkles, and stimulate collagen production.

Starting point is 00:07:39 These masks are excellent for anti-aging and skin rejuvenation. They're easy to use at home and they can be part of a daily skincare routine and they are not that expensive. Red light panels, for example, step the game up a little bit because panels are often used for whole body treatments. They typically provide a larger surface area for exposure, making them ideal for pain relief, reducing inflammation, dealing with back pain, or improving circulation. These devices are particularly effective when used to target large areas of the body, like the back or the thighs.

Starting point is 00:08:09 Let's talk about full red light therapy beds, like the one that I have in my home. Red light beds are typically used in professional wellness centers. They provide full body exposure to red, near-infrared light, and they allow the users to enjoy benefits of red light therapy in a more immersive setting. These beds are ideal for people seeking muscle recovery, enhanced skin rejuvenation, and pain relief over a much larger area. There are many clinics around the country that allow you to use these beds on a membership basis, reducing your cost and easing your access to these beds. I don't expect anyone to go out and spend five or six figures on a red light therapy bed, but you can find a wellness center in your area where you can likely access these devices

Starting point is 00:08:49 much less expensively. Lastly, let's talk about handheld devices. Handheld devices are portable and versatile. They can be used for targeted treatment in specific areas like joints, muscles, or the face. These are great for those of you that want quick treatments on the go or for specific pain relief. Once primarily seen in the realm of biohacking, red light therapy is now becoming very mainstream and accessible to everyone and more affordable. Wellness centers and spas are starting to incorporate red light therapy into their service offerings, meaning that you can access these on a membership basis and they offer everything from facial treatments to full body red light therapy sessions. As research continues to grow, more people are seeing the benefits of

Starting point is 00:09:29 red light therapy for general wellness, not just for treating specific conditions. It's now a tool for improving overall health, managing chronic conditions, and enhancing recovery times for athletes. No longer a niche practice, red light therapy is increasingly being used in clinical settings with more practitioners integrating it into their treatment protocols. If you don't want to invest in a red light device just yet, many wellness clubs, gyms, and spas now offer red light therapy sessions at a fraction of the cost of purchasing your own equipment. This makes it easier for you to experience the benefits without a large upfront investment. Look for wellness centers or clinics near you that offer red light therapy as part of their services. Whether it's for skin

Starting point is 00:10:08 rejuvenation, pain relief, or recovery, you can try red light therapy for a reasonable price before deciding if it's the right tool for your health routine. The science behind red light therapy is clear. It's non-invasive. It's an effective way to promote cellular health, improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and boost your recovery. Red light therapy isn't just for biohackers or Noninvasive, it's an effective way to promote cellular health, improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and boost your recovery. Red light therapy isn't just for biohackers or athletes. It's for everyone who wants to improve their health and wellness. Whether you're looking to reduce chronic pain, boost your energy levels, or simply

Starting point is 00:10:36 maintain a healthy youthful appearance, red light therapy can help you achieve those goals. Here's why you should consider incorporating red light therapy into your routine. Number one, it's backed by science. Studies have consistently shown red light therapy's positive effect on circulation, tissue repair, and inflammation. I will put the links below to those scientific publications. No side effects. Unlike so many treatments, red light therapy has minimal to no recorded side effects, making it very safe for most people to use regularly. Whether you choose to use an at-home device or visit a wellness center, consistent use of red light therapy will provide lasting health benefits. Track your progress and see how this simple non-invasive therapy can help you unlock better health and wellness. Red light therapy

Starting point is 00:11:19 isn't just a short-term solution. It's a long-term investment in your health. Try it for yourself and experience the difference it can make. Thanks for tuning into the Ultimate Human Podcast. If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with anyone who might benefit. And until next time, remember, it's all about making smart choices for your health, and that's just science.

The Ultimate Human with Gary Brecka - 130. Red Light Therapy: Scam or Science? Here's What The Research Says

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