PHOTOBIOMODULATION (PBM)

Who Benefits from PBM?

Anyone with a brain will benefit from this therapy! The results of this light therapy are not only healing, but neuroprotective.  Inflammation, cell death, and poor neuronal connectivity are responsible for cognitive decline and are observed in Alzheimers, Parkinson’s, mood disorders, anxiety, brain fog, insomnia, reactivity, and more. This treatment was found to have no side effects in clinical trials. By facilitating neural regeneration and rewiring, PBM is a powerful tool for healing.

What to Expect?

This is a non-invasive treatement. A small device will be placed over the scalp, and one small light is inserted 1/2″ into the nasal passageway. The best frequency and settings for the device will be determined from your brain map. Once the light has been turned on, it runs for 20 minutes. During this time you can relax by meditating, reading, watching TV, or something else of your choosing!

How Does PBM Work? 

This near-infared light is capable of diffusing across the scalp, skull, and tissues. Not only is the light applied across the scalp, but also intranasally. This allows for light to pass through the nasal channel which is free from obstructions. This light reaches ventral parts of the brain. The ventral area of the brain is highly connected with other areas, including memory processing areas. By targeting not only this ventral area, but the entire cortex, this light elicits strong results. Reported benefits include improved emotional regulation, patience, mood, focus, mental ‘sharpness’, brain fog, socialization, and more.

These benefits result from regulation of neuronal health via many mechanisms:

• Improved circulation: PBM increases production of NO, an important signaling molecule in the brain. This molecule triggers the blood vessels to widen, decreasing blood pressure and promoting circulation. This improved blood flow delivers oxygen and other nutrients across the brain.
• Addresses mitochondria dysfunction: The mitochondria, or “powerhouse of the cell”, produces energy. This light re-energizes the mitochondria and allows energy to be produced with maximum efficiency. With increased energy and access to nutrients as circulation improves, the cell has the resources it needs to begin healing.
• Anti-inflammatory effects: Chronic inflammation is seen in many diseases including neurodegenerative and mood disorders. PBM regulates the immune system, which is responsible for this inflammation. This results in the down-regulation of pro-inflammatory genes
• Neurogenesis: PBM aids in the formation of new neurons. This process occurs most rapidly during embryonic development but has been found to occur in adults as well. This therapy aids in this process giving it the potential to improve brain cognition and neuronal plasticity
• Synaptogenesis: This is the formation of connections, or synapses, between neurons. This is essential for brain functioning as neurons communicate by passing electrical or chemical signals through these synapses. PBM facilitates the synaptogenesis process. As many brain conditions can be attributed, at least in part, to poor neuronal connections and neuronal death, such facilitation of neural regeneration and rewiring is an extremely powerful tool for the treatment of such conditions.
• Neuroprotection: This therapy has the ability to not only heal our cells from ongoing damage, but to protect our cells from future damage. By triggering a cascade of cellular signaling, PBM results in anti-apoptosis (anti- cell death). The cell modifies its functioning to promote survival.

PBM research

• Shining light on the head: Photobiomodulation for brain disorders Suggests PBM use in treatment of stroke, TBI, neurodegenerative, and psychiatric diseases like depression, anxiety, and PTSD
• Photobiomodulation with Near Infrared Light Helmet in a Pilot, Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial in Dementia Patients Testing Memory and Cognition 
  
• Changes in Brain Function and Structure After Self-Administered Home Photobiomodulation Treatment in a Concussion Case
• Increased Functional Connectivity Within Intrinsic Neural Networks in Chronic Stroke Following Treatment With Red/Near-Infrared Transcranial Photobiomodulation
• Review of transcranial photobiomodulation for major depressive disorder: targeting brain metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurogenesis
• Effect of Transcranial Low-Level Light Therapy vs Sham Therapy Among Patients With Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury 
• Study of transcranial photobiomodulation at 945-nm wavelength: anxiety and depression
• 1,300+ other studies on this therapy!