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Research on Light Therapy and Anxiety

Anxiety can stem from a range of biological and environmental factors, and its symptoms often interfere with daily life. Fortunately, research in transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) is showing promising results for reducing anxiety.

Anxiety can stem from a range of biological and environmental factors, and its symptoms often interfere with daily life. Fortunately, research in transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) is showing promising results for reducing anxiety.

Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety

Symptoms of anxiety can often manifest both psychologically and physically. Symptoms include (Cleveland Clinic, 2024):

  • Plaques

    Psychological Symptoms

    • Constant feelings of panic or fear
    • Irritability
    • Feeling on edge
    • Rumination
    • Troubles concentrating
  • Tangles

    Physical Symptoms

    • Shortness of breath or irregular breathing
    • Heart palpitations
    • Dry mouth
    • Muscle tension
    • Cold or sweaty hands
    • Nausea
    • Insomnia

Comorbidities of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety commonly occurs alongside many other conditions, both psychological and physical. Some common comorbidities include (Anxiety & Depression Association of America, 2021):

  • ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder)
  • Autism
  • BDD (body dysmorphic disorder)
  • Chronic pain
  • Chronic illness
  • Eating disorders
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Headaches
  • Health anxiety
  • Hoarding disorder
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Sleep disorders
  • Substance use disorders

What Causes Symptoms of Anxiety?

  • Life ExperiencesVarious studies reinforce the idea that experiencing adverse or traumatic life events significantly increases the likelihood of developing anxiety disorders (Miloyan et al., 2021).
  • EpigeneticsEpigenetic changes, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, can be triggered by stress or trauma and can affect brain function in ways that increase anxiety risk (Persaud & Cates, 2023).
  • Mitochondrial Dysfunction - Disruption in mitochondrial energy metabolism, potentially involving pathways like AMPK/SIRT1, is proposed as a foundational mechanism underlying anxiety disorders (Zhao et al., 2023).
  • Imbalance of Neurotransmitters - Irregularities in various neurotransmitters are found in people with anxiety disorders including serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (Martin et al., 2013).
  • Neuroanatomical Considerations - Etkin & Wager (2007) conducted a meta-analysis of fMRI studies and found amygdala hyperactivation across multiple anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, PTSD, and specific phobias.

Scientific Insights - PBMโ€™s Applications for Anxiety

  • tPBM Reduces Scores on Anxiety Rating Scales

    Researchers tested 945 nm tPBM on 22 university students (17-25 years old), comparing active treatment to sham. After short forehead sessions (~1.5 minutes), the active tPBM group showed a significant reduction in anxiety scores on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Kerppers et al., 2020).

    See the study

  • tPBM Improves Anxiety-Related Biochemistry

    In a mouse model of chronic stress-induced anxiety and depression, researchers tested 810 nm tPBM at three doses. The treatment, especially at a moderate dose, reduced anxiety and depression-like behaviors, lowered cortisol, increased serotonin, and decreased nitric oxide levels in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. (Eshaghi et al., 2019)

    See the study

  • Long Term Effects of tPBM for Mental Health Outcomes

    In a randomized, double-blind trial involving 70 patients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment, 810โ€ฏnm tPBM applied to the forehead significantly reduced anxiety, depression, and opioid craving compared to sham stimulation. These benefits were sustained at both one- and three-month follow-ups, indicating lasting therapeutic effects from the intervention (Helali et al., 2025).

    See the study

FAQs

How many PBM sessions will I need?

Benefits can often be noticed within a few sessions, especially related to sleep and mental clarity. For cognitive improvements, consistent use over several weeks or months is typically recommended. As Alzheimer's disease is often referred to as a neurodegenerative disease with genetic components, incorporating light therapy as a regular lifestyle habit can support overall brain health and give your brain the best chance to stay at its most performing level over time.

Is PBM safe?

Yes. PBM is FDA-cleared for various applications and has a strong safety profile. Itโ€™s non-invasive, painless, and has no known serious side effects when used as directed.

What results can be expected and when?

Types of results and their timelines vary depending on the individuals. However, a combination of research and anecdotal evidence from providers suggests some expected results to be the following: improved language capabilities, improvements in emotional regulation, decreased repetitive behaviours, and improved social skills/engagement. While some clients may see results very quickly, others may take a few months.

What is mitochondrial dysfunction?

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a term that encapsulates dysfunction in various operations of the mitochondria. With mitochondria being the main energy producers of the cell, dysfunction can lead to reduced ATP (energy) production, increased oxidative stress, and difficulty maintaining healthy cell function. When mitochondria canโ€™t keep up with the bodyโ€™s energy demands or fail to remove damaged components, it can affect brain function, muscle strength, immune response, and overall vitality. Mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to many conditions, including fatigue, neurodegeneration, and metabolic disorders (Zong et al., 2024).

Learn More About PBM & Brain Health

References

Anxiety and Depression Association of America. (2021, April 27). Co-occurring disorders: Anxiety and related conditions. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/co-occurring-disorders

Cleveland Clinic. (2024, July 3). Anxiety disorders: Causes, symptoms, treatment & types. Retrieved [your retrieval date], from Cleveland Clinic Health Library website: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9536-anxiety-disorders#symptoms-and-causes

Eshaghi, E., Sadigh-Eteghad, S., Mohaddes, G., & Rasta, S. H. (2019). Transcranial photobiomodulation prevents anxiety and depression via changing serotonin and nitric oxide levels in brain of depression model mice: A study of three different doses of 810 nm laser. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 51(7), 634โ€“642. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.23082

Etkin, A., & Wager, T. D. (2007). Functional neuroimaging of anxiety: A meta-analysis of emotional processing in PTSD, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobia. American Journal of Psychiatry, 164(10), 1476โ€“1488. Helali, H., Samani, N., Tabeie, F., Eiliaei, S., & Kheradmand, A. (2025). The effectiveness of transcranial photobiomodulation therapy (tPBM) on reducing anxiety, depression, and opioid craving in patients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry, 25(1), Article 94. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06555-3

Kerppers, F. K., Gonรงalves Dos Santos, K. M. M., Ribeiro Cordeiro, M. E., da Silva Pereira, M. C., Barbosa, D., Pezzini, A. A., Cunha, L. F., Fonseca, M., Bragnholo, K., Inoue Salgado, A. S., & Kerppers, I. I. (2020, March 7). Study of transcranial photobiomodulation at 945-nm wavelength: Anxiety and depression. Lasers in Medical Science, 35(9), 1945โ€“1954. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-02983-7

Martin, E. I., Ressler, K. J., Binder, E., & Nemeroff, C. B. (2009). The neurobiology of anxiety disorders: Brain imaging, genetics, and psychoneuroendocrinology. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 32(3), 549โ€“575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2009.05.004

Persaud, N. S., & Cates, H. M. (2023). The epigenetics of anxiety pathophysiology: A DNA methylation and histone modification focused review. eNeuro, 10(4), ENEURO.0109-21.2021. https://doi.org/10.1523/ENEURO.0109-21.2021

Zhao, A.-R. (2023). Stress can affect mitochondrial energy metabolism and AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathway in rats. Brain Research Bulletin, 194, 110770. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110770

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