Research on Light Therapy and Wellness + Longevity
Stress, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive overload are common factors that can diminish overall wellbeing and lifespan. Early research suggests photobiomodulation (PBM) can help regulate mood, enhance focus, and promote restorative sleep, making it a promising tool for supporting whole-person wellness and longevity.
Stress, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive overload are common factors that can diminish overall wellbeing and lifespan. Early research suggests photobiomodulation (PBM) can help regulate mood, enhance focus, and promote restorative sleep, making it a promising tool for supporting whole-person wellness and longevity.
Domains of Wellness and Longevity
The terms โwellnessโ and โlongevityโ encapsulate a multifaceted approach to health and often include the following components:
- Sleep - Support circadian rhythm stability and sleep quality so you wake more rested and cognitively sharp.
- Memory - Promote hippocampal plasticity and recall for learning and day-to-day memory.
- Mental Clarity - Enhance information processing, and mental stamina.
- Attention - Improve sustained focus and reduce โbrain fogโ in demanding tasks.
- Calmness - Encourage balanced stress responses and smoother emotional regulation.
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Reduced Inflammation
Chronic low-grade inflammation accelerates aging and is associated with many age-related diseases. PBM has anti-inflammatory effects, which may support healthier aging and wellness by reducing systemic inflammation (Hamblin, 2017).
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Cognitive Performance
A pilot study found that a single session of transcranial PBM improved attention and short-term memory in healthy adults, suggesting benefits for everyday cognitive efficiency (Barrett & Gonzalez-Lima, 2013).
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Executive Function & Focus
Gonzalez-Lima & Barrett (2014) reported enhanced executive function and sustained attention following PBM, highlighting its potential as a tool for optimizing mental performance in both students and professionals.
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Sleep & Fatigue
Research indicates that PBM can improve sleep quality by regulating circadian rhythm stability and supporting restorative rest, factors that directly contribute to overall wellbeing (Hamblin, 2016).
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Neuroprotection & Plasticity
Reviews show that PBM enhances mitochondrial function (via cytochrome-c oxidase), upregulates neurotrophins such as BDNF, and promotes synaptogenesis/neurogenesis — mechanisms underpinning learning, memory, and resilience (Salehpour et al., 2018; Hennessy & Hamblin, 2017).
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Stress & Mood Regulation
Preclinical studies demonstrate that PBM reduces anxiety-like behaviors and normalizes stress-related biomarkers, suggesting its usefulness in promoting calmness and emotional balance (Eshaghi, Sadigh-Eteghad, Mohaddes, & Rasta, 2019).
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Enhancing Mitochondrial Function
Enhanced mitochondrial function is linked with slower cellular aging and resilience against age-related decline, in addition to cognitive optimization. PBM stimulates mitochondrial enzymes, such as cytochrome-c oxidase, which can increase ATP production and improve cellular energy metabolism (de Freitas & Hamblin, 2016).
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Attention & Memory
This 2025 pilot, randomized, double-blind study by Dr. Michael Lundie and colleagues investigated whether transcranial photobiomodulation via the Neuradiant 1070 could enhance cognitive performance and neurophysiological markers compared to a sham condition in healthy adults. Participants who received active tPBM demonstrated significantly faster reaction times (greater and sustained pupil dilation), improved working memory under high cognitive load, and increased physiological markers of attentional engagement relative to sham. Additional findings included greater pupil dilation during task performance - suggestive of enhanced neuromodulatory activity - and reductions in self-reported stress and mood symptoms in a majority of tPBM participants. Collectively, these results indicate that tPBM may acutely improve processing speed, attention, and cognitive efficiency, supporting its potential as a non-invasive tool for cognitive augmentation.
Methods
Design & Participants:
A randomized, double-blind study involving eight adults (18โ45 years), randomly assigned to either the tPBM group (n = 4) or a sham group (n = 4). Each participant completed two sessions, spaced approximately six days apart.
Intervention
tPBM group: received near-infrared light (1070 nm) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for 15 minutes per session. Sham group: wore the same device but received only a brief initial light cue without sustained stimulation.
Assesments
Cognitive battery including reaction time tasks (e.g., psychomotor vigilance), working memory measures, pupillometry, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21).
Results
Processing Speed:
The tPBM group showed significantly faster reaction times compared to sham (plasticity and RT measures significant at p = .013 and p = .038).
Working Memory:
In high-load orientation trials, tPBM participants had significantly higher working memory capacity (K-values) than the sham group, suggesting better performance under cognitive load.
Pupillometry & Attention:
Participants receiving tPBM exhibited increased pupil dilation and greater consistency during tasks - physiological markers of heightened attentional engagement and potential involvement of neuromodulatory pathways (e.g., locus coeruleus-norepinephrine).
Psychological Metrics:
A majority of tPBM participants showed reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress scores, whereas sham controls did not show consistent improvements
FAQs
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 canโt keep up with the bodyโs 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).
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 AD 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. Itโs non-invasive, painless, and has no known serious side effects when used as directed.
Learn More About PBM & Brain Health
BlogMitochondrial Dysfunction: Causes, Symptoms, and How Light Can Help Restore Energy
Explore how PBM addresses mitochondrial dysfunction โ restoring cellular energy, reducing oxidative stress, and supporting brain health
NewslettersThe Most Overlooked Tool in Brain Injury Recovery and Biohacking
Discover why light therapy is becoming a key tool in brain injury recovery and biohackingโsupporting energy, focus, and long-term resilience.
BlogHow Brain Vital Signs and Photobiomodulation Are Shaping the Future of Brain Health
tPBM can rapidly improve cognitive processing, with cases showing up to 70 ms gains in healthy users, dramatic recovery post-concussion, and long-term benefits in mild impairment. Even advanced dementia patients show measurable brain activation changes.
References
Barrett, D. W., & Gonzalez-Lima, F. (2013). Transcranial infrared laser stimulation produces beneficial cognitive and emotional effects in humans. Neuroscience, 230, 13โ23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.11.016
de Freitas, L. F., & Hamblin, M. R. (2016). Proposed mechanisms of photobiomodulation or low-level light therapy.IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 22(3), 7000417. https://doi.org/10.1109/JSTQE.2016.2561201
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), 634โ642. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.23082
Gonzalez-Lima, F., & Barrett, D. W. (2014). Augmentation of cognitive brain functions with transcranial lasers. Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience, 8, 36. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnsys.2014.00036
Hamblin, M. R. (2016). Shining light on the head: Photobiomodulation for brain disorders. BBA Clinical, 6, 113โ124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbacli.2016.09.002
Hamblin, M. R. (2017). Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophysics, 4(3), 337โ361. https://doi.org/10.3934/biophy.2017.3.337
Hennessy, M., & Hamblin, M. R. (2017). Photobiomodulation and the brain: A new paradigm. Journal of Optics, 19(1), 013003. https://doi.org/10.1088/2040-8986/19/1/013003
Lundie, M., Koch, M., Villanueva, A., Nguyen, T., Garner, C., Satsangi, M., Advani, P., & Krawczyk, D. (2025). Illuminating cognitive performance: Assessing the role of transcranial photobiomodulation in augmenting cognition. Military Medicine, 190(Supplement_2), 456โ463. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usaf227
Salehpour, F., Mahmoudi, J., Kamari, F., Sadigh-Eteghad, S., Rasta, S. H., & Hamblin, M. R. (2018). Brain photobiomodulation therapy: A narrative review. Molecular Neurobiology, 55(8), 6601โ6636. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-017-0852-4