What does the research say about Red Light Therapy?
Need more proof regarding the incredible capabilities of LED Phototherapy?
Please check out our comprehensive guide to light therapy, Light Medicine, Happier, Healthier, Stronger with LED Phototherapy. The guide highlights dozens of studies proving the effectiveness of infrared and red light therapy for 30 conditions related to cellular health, pain & inflammation and skin repair.
The Science, Studies and References behind Red Light Therapy And Infrared Light Medicine.
Red Light Therapy is One of The Fastest Growing Trends in The Wellness Industry
Below are links to our favorite studies demonstrating the effects of Red Light and Infrared Therapy - over 100 cases providing depth and understanding as to why Light Medicine is one of the greatest discoveries in natural healing, wellness, and rejuvenation for both the mind and body.
1. History - Frieman, father of LLLT
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4390214/
2. History, Mechanism, Dose, Mitochondrial, Anti-inflammatory
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5215870/
3. History, Mechanism, Dose, Mitochondrial, Anti-inflammatory
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5215870/
4. Visible Light therapy vs. Near Infrared Light therapy
https://www.mamanatural.com/near-infrared-sauna/
5. History, Mechanism, Dose, Mitochondrial, Antinflammatory
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5215870/
Sunlight Incidence, Vitamin D Deficiency, and Alzheimer's Disease
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5454613/
6. Artificial Light and Cancer - Mal Illumination
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5454613/
7. Artificial Light and Obesity
https://www.nature.com/articles/ijo2015255
https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/180/3/245/2739112
8. Light at night clock and metabolism
https://academic.oup.com/edrv/article/35/4/648/2354673
9. History, Mechanism, Dose, Mitochondrial, Antinflammatory
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5215870/
10. Diabetic Neuropathy
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7272502_Improved_foot_sensitivity_and_pain_reduction_in_patients_with_peripheral_neuropathy_after_treatment_with_monochromatic_infrared_photo_energy_-_MIRE
Hair Loss
11. https://www.aad.org/media/stats/conditions/skin-conditions-by-the-numbers
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23970445
Wound Healing, dairy cattle, cat tongue
13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9068161
14. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/7762/57f1debd12c652310bd11d8d53cfc5052c61.pdf
15. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312142584_The_photobiomodulation_effect_of_higher-fluence_808- nm_laser_therapy_with_a_flattop_handpiece_on_the_wound_healing_of_the_earthworm_Dendrobaena_veneta_a_brief_report
16. Wound healing LED shows significant speed of recovery with 633nm.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16581685
17. Scarring
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26741110
18. Dermal Abrasions
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3766381/
Stroke
19. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27345389
20. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3538543/
21. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17463313/
22. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17678491/
Osteoporosis
23. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28846932
Transcranial effect of LED
24. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273781132_Red_and_NIR_light_dosimetry_in_the_human_deep_brain
Brain Injury
25. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229161498_Transcranial_low_level_laser_light_therapy_for_traumatic_brain_injury
26. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17439348
27. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3397203/
28. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11059663
Sleep
29. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12811613
30. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12811613
Testosterone replacement
31. http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/96971683/effects-low-level-laser-therapy-red%20and%20near-infrared%20light-testis-elevating-serum-testosterone-level-rats
Headache Light therapy modulates serotonin levels and blood flow in women with headache. A preliminary study.
32. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26202374
Dermal Abrasions
33. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3766381/
Tendonitis
34. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/226734405
Fibromayalgia
35. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24801056
Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy on pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, and SF-MPQ indexes of women with myofascial pain. :10.11607/ofph.2032. Epub 2018 Apr 25.
Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Myofascial Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
36. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29697718
Acne:
37. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16468292
38. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28232927
Comparison of Red and Infrared Low-level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris.
39. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22615511
Sunlight Incidence, Vitamin D Deficiency, and Alzheimer's Disease.
40. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5454613/
Depression Long term study
41. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4556873/
Psychological benefits 2 and 4 weeks after a single treatment with near infrared light to the forehead: a pilot study of 10 patients with major depression and anxiety:
42. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19995444
Transcranial Laser Stimulation as Neuroenhancement for Attention Bias Modification in Adults with Elevated Depression Symptoms.
43. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27267860
Low-Level Laser Irradiation Improves Depression-Like Behaviors in Mice.
44. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27379735
Dementia
Saltmarche AE, Naeser MA, Ho KF, Hamblin MR, Lim L. Significant Improvement in Cognition in Mild to Moderately Severe Dementia Cases Treated with Transcranial Plus Intranasal Photobiomodulation: Case Series Report. Photomed Laser Surg. 2017;35(8):432-441
45. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28186867 dementia, memory, mood
General Brain Health & Cognitive Performance.
Transcranial infrared laser stimulation produces beneficial cognitive and emotional effects in humans.
46. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23200785
Shining light on the head: Photobiomodulation for brain disorders
47. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5066074/
Significant Improvement in Cognition in Mild to Moderately Severe Dementia Cases Treated with Transcranial Plus Intranasal Photobiomodulation
48. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5568598/
Review of transcranial photobiomodulation for major depressive disorder: targeting brain metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurogenesis
49. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4777909/
Emotional responses and memory performance of middle-aged CD1 mice in a 3D maze: Effects of low infrared light
50. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1074742707001153
Improving executive function using transcranial infrared laser stimulation.
51. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26017772
52. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26535475
Cognitive enhancement by transcranial laser stimulation and acute aerobic exercise.
53. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27220529
Neurological and psychological applications of transcranial lasers and LEDs.
54. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23806754
Alzheimers Disease
Low-Level Laser Therapy Ameliorates Disease Progression in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
55. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263742704_Low- Level_Laser_Therapy_Ameliorates_Disease_Progression_in_a_Mouse_Model_of_Alzheimer's_Disease
Photobiomodulation with near infrared light mitigates Alzheimer's disease-related pathology in cerebral cortex - evidence from two transgenic mouse models.
56. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24387311
Low-level laser therapy rescues dendrite atrophy via upregulating BDNF expression: implications for Alzheimer's disease.
57. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23946409
Bipolar
Is bipolar disorder an inflammatory condition? The relevance of microglial activation.
58. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23196997
Arthritis
mice subjected to acute arthritis condition.
59. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28772237
Effect of low-level laser therapy on the expression of inflammatory mediators and on neutrophils and macrophages in acute joint inflammation.
60. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24028507
Bell's Palsy -
61. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4322014/
Testosterone
62. The effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on the testis in elevating serum testosterone level in rats
http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/96971683/effects-low-level-lasertherapy-red%20and%20near-infrared%20light-testis-elevating-serum-testosterone-level-rats
Aging Skin
Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism In VitroUsing a Pulsed 660 nm LED Light Source: Clinical Correlation with a Single- Blinded Study
63. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15341749
Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring
64. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4126803/
ORAL HEALTH
Low Level Laser Therapy: A Panacea for oral maladies
65. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4639680/
NUTS AND BOLTS OF LLLT - Survey of Basically Everything treated by LLLT
66. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3288797/
MECHANISM OF ACTION OF LLLT - dose, etc. Biphasic Dose Response in Low Level Light
67. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2790317/
The role of nitric oxide in low level light therapy
68. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237089612_The_role_of_nitric_oxide_in_low_level_light_therapy How Mitochondria absorb visible light
69. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237089612_The_role_of_nitric_oxide_in_low_level_light_therapy
REVERSAL OF AGING USING RED LIGHT AND NEAR-INFRARED LIGHT THERAPY
A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase.
70. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24286286
71. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5332991/
Effects of radiofrequency, electroacupuncture, and low-level laser therapy on the wrinkles and moisture content of the forehead, eyes, and cheeks Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring.
72. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24049929
73. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4126803/
ELIMINATION OF FAT
74. Low-Level Laser Therapy for Fat Layer Reduction: A Comprehensive Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3769994/
“Overweight and obesity.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2007). Available:
75. https://www.cdc.gov/onsidty/data/ad/ult.html
Sene-fiorense M, Duarte FO, De aquino junior, et al. The potential of phototherapy to reduce body fat, insulin resistance and “metabolic inflexibility” related to obesity in women undergoing weight loss treatment. Lasers Sung Med. 2015;47(7):634-42
76. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26220050
Ger Med Sci. 2006 Jul 11:4; Doc05. Influence of water-filtered infrared-A (wiRA) on reduction of local fat and body weight by physical exercise. Mockel F, Hoffman G, Obermuller R, Drobnik W,Schmitz G.
77. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2703221/
Mcrae E, Boris J. Independent evaluation of low-level laser therapy 635nm for non-invasive body contouring of the waist, hips and thighs. Lasers Surg Med. 2013;45(1):1-7.
78. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23355338
79. 635nm - 660nm for Fat Loss
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5225499/
80. Low-Level Laser Therapy for Fat Layer Reduction: A Comprehensive Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3769994/
Health After Cancer
81. Warburg O. Uber den Stoffweschsel der Hefe. Pp253-254
82. Bianconi E., Piovesan A, Facchin F, et al. An estimation of the number of cells in the human body. Ann Hun Biol 2013:40(6):463-71
83. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306325596_Revised_Estimates_for_the_Number_of_Human_and_Bacteria_Cells_in_the_Body
84. Li, Y., Park, JS., Deng, JH. Et al. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV is useful for assembly and respiratory function of the enzyme complex. J Bioenerg, Biomember (2006)38;283
85. Brown GC, Borutalite V. Nitric Oxide, cytochrome c, and mitochondria. Biochem Soc. Symp. 1999:66;17-25
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10989653
LIGHT MEDICINE AND ANIMALS
Therapeutic photobiomodulation: nitric oxide and a novel function of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase.
86. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21356170
Inflammation in general:
Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation
87. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28748217
Veterinary Medicine and Photobiomodulation
88. http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/photobiomodulation-facts-and-functions-veterinary-rehab
An investigation into the depth of penetration of low level laser therapy through the equine tendon in vivo
89. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3113823/
EYE HEALTH AND WOUND HEALING
90. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26427443
Photobiomodulation for the treatment of retinal diseases: a review
91. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4768515/
Photobiomodulation reduces drusen volume and improves visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in dry age‐related macular degeneration
92. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11845369
93. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16120414
Mitochondrial signal transduction in accelerated wound and retinal healing by near-infrared light therapy.
Effect of equal daily doses achieved by different power densities of low-level laser therapy at 635 nm on open skin wound healing in normal and diabetic rats.
94. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24551842/
Plantar Warts
96. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16942430?dopt=Citation
Herpes
97. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16780494?dopt=Citation
98. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4751092/
Dermatitis
99. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4751092/
Psoriasis
100. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320600622_A_clinical_review_of_phototherapy_for_psoriasis
Improved Sleep & PTSD
101. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24568233
Thyroid Tissue Generation
102. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22718472
103. https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/lasers-thyroid-tissue-regeneration/
104. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3534372/
105. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20662037
Muscle Performance and Recovery Effect of low-level laser therapy on muscle adaptation to knee extensor eccentric training
106. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269412590_Effect_of_low-level_laser_therapy_on_muscle_adaptation_to_knee_extensor_eccentric_training
107. Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) on muscle tissue: performance, fatigue and repair benefited by the power of light.
108. Cleber Ferraresi et al. 2012
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23626925
Does Phototherapy Enhance Skeletal Muscle Contractile Function and Postexercise Recovery? A Systematic Review. Paul A Borsa et al. 2013
109. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3554033/ Verifies the benefit of LLLT in all phases of muscle recovery: 107
110. https://www.unip.br/presencial/comunicacao/publicacoes/ics/edicoes/2010/03_jul-set/V28_n3_2010_p286-288.pdf
Photobiomodulation therapy for the improvement of muscular performance and reduction of muscular fatigue associated with exercise in healthy people: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
111. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29090398
Photobiomodulation Therapy Improves Performance and Accelerates Recovery of High-Level Rugby Players in Field Test: A Randomized, Crossover, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study. Pinto HD et al. 201
112. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27050245
Light-emitting diode therapy in exercise-trained mice increases muscle performance, cytochrome c oxidase activity, ATP and cell proliferation. Ferraresi C et al. 2016
113. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25378263
Effects of Light-Emitting Diode Therapy on Muscle Hypertrophy, Gene Expression, Performance, Damage, and Delayed- Onset Muscle Soreness: Case-control Study with a Pair of Identical Twins. Ferraresi C et al. 2016
114. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27088469
Diabetic Neuropathy
115. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4639677/
116. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7272502_Improved_foot_sensitivity_and_pain_reduction_in_patients_with_peripheral_neuropathy_after_treatment_with_monochromatic_infrared_photo_energy_-
_MIRE
Bells Palsy
117. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3838725/
118. http://www.litecure.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Laser-Bells-Palsy.pdf
119. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271346875_Helium_neon_and_diode_laser_therapy_is_an_effective_adjunctive_therapy_for_facial_paralysis
