What does the research say about Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy research: Need more proof regarding the incredible capabilities of LED Phototherapy?

Please check out our comprehensive guide to red light therapy research, Light Medicine, Happier, Healthier, Stronger with LED Phototherapy. The guide highlights dozens of studies on light therapy benefits, proving the effectiveness of infrared and red light therapy for 30 conditions related to cellular health, pain & inflammation, and skin repair.

“Red Light Therapy is One of The Fastest Growing Trends in The Wellness Industry”

The Science, Studies, and References behind Red Light Therapy and Infrared Light Therapy Benefits

History - Frieman, father of LLLT

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4390214/

Visible Light therapy vs. Near Infrared Light therapy

https://www.mamanatural.com/near-infrared-sauna/

Sunlight Incidence, Vitamin D Deficiency, and Alzheimer's Disease

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5454613/

Artificial Light and Cancer - Mal Illumination

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5454613/

Artificial Light and Obesity

https://www.nature.com/articles/ijo2015255

https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/180/3/245/2739112

Light at night clock and metabolism

https://academic.oup.com/edrv/article/35/4/648/2354673

History, Mechanism, Dose, Mitochondrial, Antinflammatory

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5215870/

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

https://www.aad.org/media/stats/conditions/skin-conditions-by-the-numbers

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23970445

Wound Healing, dairy cattle, cat tongue

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9068161

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/7762/57f1debd12c652310bd11d8d53cfc5052c61.pdf

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

Wound healing LED shows significant speed of recovery with 633nm.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16581685

Scarring

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26741110

Stroke

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2734538

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3538543/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17463313/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17678491/

Osteoporosis

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28846932

Transcranial effect of LED

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273781132_Red_and_NIR_light_dosimetry_in_the_human_deep_brain

Brain Injury

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229161498_Transcranial_low_level_laser_light_therapy_for_traumatic_brain_injury
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17439348
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3397203/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11059663

Sleep

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12811613

Testosterone replacement

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.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26202374

Dermal Abrasions

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3766381/

Tendonitis

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/226734405

Fibromayalgia

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.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29697718

Acne

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16468292

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28232927

Comparison of Red and Infrared Low-level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22615511

Sunlight Incidence, Vitamin D Deficiency, and Alzheimer's Disease.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5454613/

Depression Long term study

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:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19995444

Transcranial Laser Stimulation as Neuroenhancement for Attention Bias Modification in Adults with Elevated Depression Symptoms.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27267860

Low-Level Laser Irradiation Improves Depression-Like Behaviors in Mice.

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

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.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23200785

Shining light on the head: Photobiomodulation for brain disorders

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

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

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

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1074742707001153

Improving executive function using transcranial infrared laser stimulation.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26017772

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26535475

Cognitive enhancement by transcranial laser stimulation and acute aerobic exercise.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27220529

Neurological and psychological applications of transcranial lasers and LEDs.

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

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.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24387311

Low-level laser therapy rescues dendrite atrophy via upregulating BDNF expression: implications for Alzheimer's disease.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23946409

Bipolar

Is bipolar disorder an inflammatory condition? The relevance of microglial activation.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23196997

Arthritis

mice subjected to acute arthritis condition.

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.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24028507

Bell's Palsy -

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4322014/

Testosterone

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

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15341749

Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4126803/

ORAL HEALTH

Low Level Laser Therapy: A Panacea for oral maladies

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4639680/

NUTS AND BOLTS OF LLLT - Survey of Basically Everything treated by LLLT

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3288797/

MECHANISM OF ACTION OF LLLT - dose, etc. Biphasic Dose Response in Low Level Light

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2790317/

The role of nitric oxide in low level light therapy

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237089612_The_role_of_nitric_oxide_in_low_level_light_therapy

How Mitochondria absorb visible light

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.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24286286

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.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24049929

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4126803/

ELIMINATION OF FAT

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:

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

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.

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.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23355338

635nm - 660nm for Fat Loss

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5225499/

Low-Level Laser Therapy for Fat Layer Reduction: A Comprehensive Review

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3769994/

Health After Cancer

Warburg O. Uber den Stoffweschsel der Hefe. Pp253-254

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

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306325596_Revised_Estimates_for_the_Number_of_Human_and_Bacteria_Cells_in_the_Body

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

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.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21356170

Inflammation in general:

Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28748217

Veterinary Medicine and Photobiomodulation

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

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3113823/

EYE HEALTH AND WOUND HEALING

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26427443

Photobiomodulation for the treatment of retinal diseases: a review

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

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11845369

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.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24551842/

Viral Warts

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269749233_PULSED_DYE_LASER_TREATMENT_FOR_RECALCITRANT_VIRAL_WARTS_AUTO-SIMULTANEOUS_LASER_TREATMENT

Plantar Warts

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16942430?dopt=Citation

Herpes

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16780494?dopt=Citation

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4751092/

Dermatitis

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4751092/

Psoriasis

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320600622_A_clinical_review_of_phototherapy_for_psoriasis

Improved Sleep & PTSD

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24568233

Thyroid Tissue Generation

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22718472

https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/lasers-thyroid-tissue-regeneration/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3534372/

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

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269412590_Effect_of_low-level_laser_therapy_on_muscle_adaptation_to_knee_extensor_eccentric_training

Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) on muscle tissue: performance, fatigue and repair benefited by the power of light.

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

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3554033/

Verifies the benefit of LLLT in all phases of muscle recovery: 107

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.

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. 2016

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2705024

Light-emitting diode therapy in exercise-trained mice increases muscle performance, cytochrome c oxidase activity, ATP and cell proliferation. Ferraresi C
et al. 2016113.

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

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27088469

Diabetic Neuropathy

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4639677/

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

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3838725/

http://www.litecure.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Laser-Bells-Palsy.pdf

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271346875_Helium_neon_and_diode_laser_therapy_is_an_effective_adjunctive_therapy_for_facial_paralysis