How Does Red Light Therapy Work?

Infrared light is a part of the sun's spectrum, and although its rays are invisible to the eye, we can feel the heat they emit. Historically, people have used the sun's warmth and healing effects, so it is no coincidence that we benefit from these properties today through modern technology. The rays operate at different wavelengths; the longer the waves, the deeper they penetrate the body's layers.

Wavelengths between 620-750 nm work on the surface, promoting wound healing and improved skin health. In contrast, longer waves over 1000 nm penetrate deeper, helping to relieve pain and inflammation, enhance recovery, and promote the healing of deeper tissues. When using red light therapy, the body's systems are stimulated on a cellular level. As the mitochondria in the cells absorb light energy from red and infrared light, cellular activity increases, resulting in higher ATP production. ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the primary energy source of cells and powers a range of vital biological functions.

ATP is crucial for cell repair and tissue regeneration, accelerating the healing process. These processes are used in wound and tissue healing and are essential for the body's recovery after physical exertion. Red light therapy also improves blood circulation by increasing internal temperature. This enhanced circulation offers multiple benefits, such as increased oxygenation in the blood, strengthening the immune system, and helping to prevent severe health conditions like high blood pressure, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases. Since the blood also transports hormones and nutrients, improved circulation means the body functions more efficiently, optimizing its ability to repair, maintain health, and regulate a healthy circadian rhythm.

How Does Red Light Therapy Affect Circadian Rhythm?

The circadian rhythm, also known as the body's biological or internal clock, regulates many of the body's essential functions, such as sleep, wakefulness, metabolism, and hormone production. Infrared light significantly impacts the circadian rhythm, especially for individuals who do not get enough natural light. The circadian rhythm is influenced by light's effect on the hypothalamus in the brain, where light entering the eyes signals the brain to adjust the production of critical hormones such as melatonin, cortisol, and serotonin. These hormones are crucial in regulating energy levels and maintaining the balance between sleep and wakefulness.

Infrared light can be particularly beneficial for individuals suffering from sleep disorders such as insomnia or jet lag, where the natural circadian rhythm has been disrupted. It can also be helpful during winter months when sunlight is less prevalent. Exposing the body to infrared light can restore balance to the circadian rhythm, thereby improving sleep quality.

Beyond affecting sleep, the circadian rhythm also plays a central role in regulating metabolism and hormone production. Infrared light helps optimize the body's metabolic processes by ensuring that hormones like cortisol, which regulates energy and stress, and insulin, which controls blood sugar levels, are released at the correct times of the day. This helps maintain a healthy metabolism and prevent metabolic disorders.

How Does Red Light Therapy Affect Circadian Rhythm?

The circadian rhythm, also known as the body's biological or internal clock, regulates many of the body's essential functions, such as sleep, wakefulness, metabolism, and hormone production. Infrared light significantly impacts the circadian rhythm, especially for individuals who do not get enough natural light. The circadian rhythm is influenced by light's effect on the hypothalamus in the brain, where light entering the eyes signals the brain to adjust the production of key hormones such as melatonin, cortisol, and serotonin. These hormones are crucial in regulating energy levels and maintaining the balance between sleep and wakefulness.

Infrared light can be particularly beneficial for individuals suffering from sleep disorders such as insomnia or jet lag, where the natural circadian rhythm has been disrupted. It can also be helpful during winter months when sunlight is less prevalent. Exposing the body to infrared light can restore balance to the circadian rhythm, thereby improving sleep quality.

Beyond affecting sleep, the circadian rhythm also plays a central role in regulating metabolism and hormone production. Infrared light helps optimize the body's metabolic processes by ensuring that hormones like cortisol, which regulates energy and stress, and insulin, which controls blood sugar levels, are released at the correct times of the day. This helps maintain a healthy metabolism and prevent metabolic disorders.

How Can Red Light Therapy Improve Muscle Performance?

Infrared therapy is an effective method for accelerating muscle recovery after physical exertion, making it particularly useful for athletes and individuals who exercise regularly. Microtrauma occurs in the muscles during training, leading to pain and fatigue. Infrared light increases blood circulation, which improves oxygen supply and nutrient transport to the damaged muscle fibers while facilitating the removal of waste products like lactic acid. This contributes to faster recovery and reduced muscle stiffness after training. The improved blood circulation is crucial for reducing muscle soreness and promoting optimal recovery.

One of the most significant aspects of infrared therapy is its ability to reduce inflammation, essential for preventing long-term injuries and chronic pain. Infrared light has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce swelling and inflammation in muscles and joints by modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS). By reducing oxidative stress, often after intense exercise, infrared therapy can lower the risk of overtraining and help athletes perform better and recover faster between workouts.

In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, infrared light stimulates the mitochondria within cells and increases the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body's primary energy source. ATP is essential for muscle contraction, repair, and tissue regeneration, accelerating recovery and strengthening muscles over time. By enhancing ATP production, infrared therapy can contribute to faster recovery and promote muscle growth and increased strength, providing long-term training benefits. The increased cellular activity also helps manage oxidative stress, further reducing muscle fatigue and improving athletic performance over time.

How does infrared therapy affect cardiovascular health?

Infrared therapy can induce vasodilation, improve endothelial function, and reduce inflammation in blood vessels, leading to improved blood circulation, lower blood pressure, and overall better cardiovascular health.

Vasodilation occurs when the smooth muscles in the walls of blood vessels relax in response to infrared light. This causes the vessels to widen, allowing blood to flow freely and with less resistance. Improved blood circulation means that oxygen and nutrients are delivered more efficiently to the body's organs and tissues, supporting general health and reducing the risk of cardiovascular complications, such as heart attack and stroke.

The endothelium is a thin layer of cells lining the inside of blood vessels, playing a critical role in regulating vascular health. Infrared therapy has been shown to improve endothelial function by increasing the production of nitric oxide (NO), a molecule essential for maintaining vascular tone and elasticity.

The combination of vasodilation, improved endothelial function, and reduced inflammation results in lower blood pressure, a key factor in reducing the strain on the heart. Lower blood pressure means the heart can pump blood more efficiently without being overworked, reducing the risk of heart failure and other serious heart diseases.