Red Light Therapy for Brain Injury - Does It Work?

Introduction: Red Light Therapy for Brain Injury

Because of the central role played by the brain in bodily functions, any damage to it can lead to something serious, even death. That's why any form of treatment that promises to help with brain injuries is a welcome addition to humanity's medical arsenal. This is where red light therapy for brain injury comes in. Let's explore red light therapy for brain inflammation and injury to see whether it is a better option over other available methods of treatment now.

What You Need to Know About Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can range from mild to severe, with the more serious ones causing a huge impact on the lives of those who suffer from them. A brain injury is commonly caused by a blow to the head or a sudden jolt. Objects that go through the brain like bullets or maybe a piece of the skull can also lead to a brain injury.

Mild cases of brain injuries can have temporary effects on the brain cells but the more serious ones can lead to irreparable damage or even death.

Symptoms of Brain Injuries

Symptoms of traumatic brain injuries vary widely from physical ones to even psychological effects. Some of these symptoms might show immediately after the event that caused the injury while others can take a while before showing. 

Some symptoms of mild brain injury include headache, nausea, drowsiness, loss of balance, and problems with speaking. You might also experience a loss of consciousness and even sensory problems.  There are also instances when behavioral or mental symptoms can manifest like depression, problems with concentrating, and memory lapses.

The more severe brain injuries can show the same symptoms that we have listed. A patient can experience loss of consciousness for several hours or even longer. They may also experience seizures and convulsions. There are also instances when fluids can start draining from the nose and the mouth.

Treating Brain Injuries

Anyone who receives a blow to the head must see a doctor as soon as possible. While symptoms and signs of brain injury may not manifest itself right away, they can lead to serious conditions and even death if left untreated. There are cases of a patient suffering from blows to the head who did not exhibit any serious symptoms but later succumbed to death.

How to Use Red Light Therapy for Brain Injuries

The immediate treatment for a blow to the head, which is the usual cause of a brain injury is to ensure that further damage is reduced and the condition of the patient is stabilized. The emergency steps involved ensuring that the patient can breathe and has adequate ventilation. Ideally, the patient should be taken to the hospital to receive further diagnosis to ensure that the injury is not serious.

Once the immediate danger of brain injury has been taken care of, the next concern is the long-term treatment. The use of red light therapy device for brain injuries is a new and promising treatment that is gaining a great deal of popularity.  People love this new treatment because of the lack of side effects and its non-invasive nature.

For this treatment, a red light therapy device is needed. There are RLT devices now that can be used in the comfort of your own home. The affected area, which in this case is the head, should be exposed to the light from the device which should have an output of 630 nm for red light and around 810 to 830 nm for near-infrared light to ensure that it would reach the brain.

The Science of Red Light Therapy for Brain Health

Red light therapy utilizes red light and near-infrared light to stimulate cellular activity in the nerves and the brain which can help heal the damage there. The light acts on the mitochondria, which is widely known as the powerhouse of the cell. When that happens more ATP is released, which means that neurons perform a lot more efficiently.

Clinical Study on the Use of Red Light Therapy for Brain Injuries

To prove the effectiveness of red light therapy for brain injuries, a clinical study has been conducted for athletes with head trauma and is further discussed below:

Study: Can Red Light Therapy Improve Brain Function in Athletes with Head Trauma? [1]

Objective

The study looked as to whether transcranial photo biomodulation (tPBM), a form of red and near-infrared light therapy applied to the scalp, could improve cognitive function, mood, and sleep in former football players experiencing symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The researchers wanted to assess whether the therapy could enhance brain activity and reduce symptoms that are usually related to brain trauma.

Results

The participants were four ex-football players, aged 55 to 74, who had played for 11 to 16 years and exhibited signs of traumatic encephalopathy syndrome. A common condition among football players. They received red light therapy three times per week for six weeks. 

Neuropsychological testing showed that the three younger participants improved significantly in multiple cognitive areas. Their improved areas included memory, attention, and executive function. The oldest participant also demonstrated meaningful improvements. Participants also reported better sleep, reduced depression, and lower PTSD symptoms. One individual even stopped the use of narcotic pain medications and experienced a reduction in tinnitus.

Brain imaging revealed increased functional connectivity in key brain networks involved in focus, memory, and emotional regulation. Additionally, higher levels of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), a marker of mitochondrial activity, were observed in the anterior cingulate cortex, suggesting improved brain metabolism. There were initial improvements that faded after two months, but when home-based therapy was introduced, the benefits came back, which is very promising. This is why devices that can be used at home are quite crucial now.

Conclusion

Red light therapy demonstrated significant improvements in cognition, mood, pain, and sleep for former athletes suffering from symptoms of head trauma. The brain imaging findings from the study support the idea that tPBM enhances neural connectivity and brain metabolism. While promising, further research is needed to confirm long-term benefits and optimize treatment protocols and practice although signs do point out that it can help with treating brain injuries.[1]

Comparing Red Light Therapy for Brain Injury with Other Treatments

The most common medications used for treating brain injuries are those for pain relief. Some medications are also used for treating the convulsions of those who experience seizures. For those who experience anxiety, doctors may prescribe anti-anxiety medications too. Another treatment for brain injuries, particularly those that are serious is surgery. This can be used to relieve the pressure on the brain because of blood clots.

Red light therapy has the advantage of being non-invasive, unlike surgery. There are also no known side effects when using red light therapy.

Total Spectrum Devices: Ideal for Red Light Therapy for Brain Injury

Red and near-infrared light treatment have been clinically researched for their capacity to promote brain metabolism, injury recovery, and increase circulation. The Total Spectrum series is intended to bring these benefits to home treatment, making red and infrared light therapy available to individuals seeking brain injury recovery, brain fog removal, better cognition, and general health support.  These devices are well-designed and adapted for use at home and can be operated without any extensive technical training. Total Spectrum devices have been scientifically tested to confirm their effectiveness in helping with brain injury and comes with pre-set modes for immediate use.

The Total Spectrum MINI is a compact device that is ideal for targeted therapy and can be used to treat limited body areas. That means it can be useful for targeting the head. The Total Spectrum COMPACT is the next in line and has a greater coverage. It can be used at home or even when traveling. There is the Total Spectrum MAX, with 360 LEDs. It is best for deep penetration and more thorough treatment. For a more intense treatment, there is the ULTRA, with 480 LEDs, which can penetrate deeper and more efficiently enhance the activity of mitochondria in brain cells. ELITE has 864 LEDs total, providing maximum benefits with regular use.

Conclusion: The Best Red Light Therapy for Brain Injury

The use of red light therapy for brain health and treatment is gaining more and more traction as more studies come to prove it. The non-invasive nature of the treatment means that it is a popular choice for all ages and use cases. The cited scientific study that was conducted has shown that it is a promising treatment that should be considered by those who suffer from head trauma or brain injury. What's important is to ensure that the device used is proven and has the relevant power, effectiveness, and the right wavelength to ensure positive results.

FAQS: Addressing Common Questions

Is red light therapy good for brain injury?

Yes, red light therapy can be helpful for treating brain injuries because there is scientific evidence that it helps to improve brain metabolism and cognitive performance. According to the study, however, the treatment must be consistent and continued, otherwise the effects will disappear.

What is the best therapy for traumatic brain injury?

For minor brain injuries, red light therapy is the best because it is non-invasive like surgery and in the long run is less expensive. Red light therapy also has no known side effects, unlike some medications which can have adverse effects on the body.

What is the fastest way to recover from a brain injury?

The fastest way and perhaps the most effective means of recovering from brain injury now is through the use of red light therapy. Through regular use of red light therapy devices, patients can experience benefits such as substantial cognitive improvements.

What is the best red light for the brain?

There are various devices that can be used for red light therapy. The best red light treatment for brain injury would depend on the power, effectiveness, and the right wavelength of the red light therapy device used. For targeted approach and minor damage, smaller devices with the right wavelength and irradiance works fine. However, chronic and severe cases would require higher powered devices with better coverage like the Total Spectrum Elite.