Photobiomodulation research, therapy and healing the brain

Photobiomodulation research on the therapy offers help to a wide range of brain-injured patients

SCIENCE NOW KNOWS THAT THE HUMAN BRAIN IS AMAZINGLY RESILIENT and can reorganize and form new neural connections and pathways between intact neurons to compensate for damage and function loss. This adaptive mechanism is termed “neuroplasticity.”

Because of their firm belief in the body’s innate recuperative power, chiropractors are poised to lead the way in treating patients suffering from brain injuries, diseases or disorders that were previously thought of as untreatable. To this end, light therapy is one of the most effective and clinically proven treatment modalities that can help support the brain’s own newly-discovered self-healing ability.

Light therapy (photobiomodulation)

These days light therapy is making its way into more and more homeopathic clinics. This non-invasive treatment method (a proven effective alternative to drugs and surgery) is also known as “photobiomodulation” (PBM) — meaning that light placed on the human body will produce positive cellular change.

The photons of near infrared and red light produced by laser or LED diodes administered to the patient’s head will penetrate the skull (provided they are powerful enough) and stimulate the release of nitric oxide, the body’s natural vasodilator, greatly increasing circulation to the brain while reducing inflammation.

As blood flow is increased to brain tissues, improved tissue oxygenation occurs. The release of nitric oxide also stimulates new capillary growth (angiogenesis), plus nitric oxide regulates adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production (according to the research done by British pharmacologist Sir Salvador Moncada) 1. As these photons of red and near-infrared light stimulate the high numbers of mitochondria in the neurons of brain cells (the average human brain contains about one hundred billion neurons), they boost the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), causing an increase in cellular energy.

According to James Carroll, a recognized authority on PBM, “…when we put light of the right wavelength and intensity into people for the right amount of time, the right intervals…this light basically tips the balance in favor of more ATP and less oxidative stress. And under those circumstances, people get better more quickly.” 2

This increase in circulation plus ATP production makes light therapy a rather unique and valuable treatment option — not only has light therapy proven to be effective as a stand-alone healing modality, but in addition, light therapy may actually accelerate the healing process produced by other therapies used in conjunction with it. Light therapy has a high level of safety; no known negative side effects; is easy to administer; and is comfortable and non-invasive — making it a perfect treatment modality for the homeopathic community.

Lighting the brain

When it comes to the brain, light therapy has to be effective across the board in all of the many diverse conditions, from physical to psychological, that are categorized as brain injuries. As Michael Hamblin, PhD, associate professor at Harvard Medical School, notes: “The brain suffers from many different disorders that can be classified into three broad groupings: traumatic events (stroke, traumatic brain injury and global ischemia), degenerative diseases (dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s), and psychiatric disorders (depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder).” 3 Can light therapy help in all of these distinct areas?

Advanced research being done by Hamblin, and also by Margaret A. Naeser, PhD, at Boston University, is continuing to prove that light therapy can have a positive effect on the brain in relation to trauma and degenerative diseases. “At first used mainly for wound healing and pain relief, the medical applications of LLLT [low level light therapy] have broadened to include diseases such as stroke, myocardial infarction, and degenerative or traumatic brain disorders.” 4 This joint study by Hamblin and Naeser in 2010 concluded that “We believe that the high benefit risk-ratio of LLLT should be better appreciated by medical professionals in the rehabilitation and physical medicine specialties…the particular benefits of LLLT to both the central and peripheral nervous systems suggest that much wider use of LLLT could or should be made in cases of both brain diseases and injuries.” 5

Treating anxiety and depression

Photobiomodulation research studies are suggesting that light therapy is also effective in the treatment of psychological disorders, such as anxiety and depression, even up to the point of suicidal ideation. 6 Sleep issues, too, are improved.

A study on insomnia/sleep disturbance conducted by the China Institute of Sports Science in Beijing concluded that “Transcranial PBM (658 nm) has been demonstrated to improve sleep quality in Chinese female basketball players.” 7 And a small feasibility study published in 2009 concluded: “We gave one eight-minute treatment with NIR-PBM to 10 patients with major depression, including seven with a history of substance abuse (six with a past history of opiate abuse and one with a past history of alcoholism), and nine with an anxiety disorder, including three with PTSD. We found significant reductions in both mean HAM-D and HAM-A rating [Hamilton Depression Rating Scales] at two and four weeks following treatment. At two weeks post treatment, six of 10 of patients had a remission (a score ≤10) on the HAM-D and seven of 10 on the HAM-A. We observed no side effects.” 8

Light therapy appears to be a safe and reliable treatment for every type of brain issue, be it traumatic, degenerative or psychiatric. So, if neuroplasticity is the mechanism whereby the brain repairs and heals itself, then light therapy is the safe, effective and easy means to kick this process into gear. 

DAVID CHRISTENSON is a health care consultant and the founder/CEO of Neurocare Systems, bringing advanced state-of-the-art medical-grade LED light therapy equipment to medical practices for the treatment of neurological disorders. A lifelong advocate for pharmaceutical alternatives, over the last decade he has formulated numerous lines of award-winning advanced apoptogenic natural neurological supplements and is currently developing an advanced brain support program for clinical implementation. He can be contacted at 800-900-4045, or through neurocaresystems.com.

REFERENCES

[1] Mercola, J. Photobiomodulation Shows Great Promise for Athletes, Chronic Pain Syndromes and More: Interview with James Carroll, mercola.com. 12 Nov 2017, Transcript, p. 5.

[2] Mercola, J. Photobiomodulation Shows Great Promise for Athletes, Chronic Pain Syndromes and More: Interview with James Carroll, mercola.com. 12 Nov 2017, Transcript, p. 6.

[3] Hamblin, M. Shining Light on the Head: Photobiomodulation for Brain Disorders. BBA Clinical 6 (2016) 113-124. Elsevier.com. 2 September 2016: 113.

[4] Hashmi, J, Huang, Y, Osmani, B, Sharma, S, Naeser, M, Hamblin, M. Role of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Neurorehabilitation.American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2010 December 1; 2(12 Suppl 2): S292–S305. doi:10.1016/j.pmrj.2010.10.013:1.

[5] Hashmi, J, Huang, Y, Osmani, B, Sharma, S, Naeser, M, Hamblin, M. Role of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Neurorehabilitation. American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2010 December 1; 2(12 Suppl 2): S292–S305. doi:10.1016/j.pmrj.2010.10.013:12.

[6] Cassano, P, Petrie, S., Hamblin, M., Henderson, T., Iosifescu, D. Review of Transcranial Photobiomodulation for Major Depressive Disorder: Targeting Brain Metabolism, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Neurogenesis. Neurophotonics 3(3), 031404 (Jul–Sep 2016):031404-7.

[7] Cassano, P, Petrie, S., Hamblin, M., Henderson, T., Iosifescu, D. Review of Transcranial Photobiomodulation for Major Depressive Disorder: Targeting Brain Metabolism, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Neurogenesis. Neurophotonics 3(3), 031404 (Jul–Sep 2016):031404-7.

[8] Schiffer, F, Johnston, A, Ravichandran, C, Polcari, A, Teicher, M, Webb, R, Hamblin, M. Psychological Benefits 2 And 4 Weeks After A Single Treatment With Near Infrared Light To The Forehead: A Pilot Study Of 10 Patients With Major Depression And Anxiety. Behavorial and Brain Functions,5:46 (2009).p:11.