Shining a ray of hope on Brain Health
Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a form of light therapy that's showing promise in the field of neuropsychiatry. This innovative approach uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate the brain, aiming to improve symptoms of various conditions. I’m on the scientific advisory council for Neuronic, a company that makes PBM devices.
Learn more about PMB here, and see PBM administered:
How does it work?
1. Cellular Stimulation: PBM works primarily by stimulating the mitochondria in cells. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, and by boosting their activity, PBM may enhance the energy production of brain cells.
2. Increased Blood Flow: It can lead to vasodilation, which is the widening of blood vessels. This increased blood flow can bring more oxygen and nutrients to brain cells, promoting their health and function.
3. Reduction of Inflammation: PBM has anti-inflammatory effects, which is critical because inflammation is a common pathological feature in many neuropsychiatric disorders.
4. Neuroprotection and Repair: The therapy can induce the production of growth factors, which help in the survival and repair of neurons. This is particularly relevant for neurodegenerative conditions.
5. Neurotransmitter Modulation: PBM may influence the levels of various neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which are often out of balance in neuropsychiatric conditions.
Effects on various conditions:
Depression: There is good evidence it offers benefits similar to antidepressants without the same risk of side effects for sexual function and weight gain.
Stress/Anxiety: PBM can be set up to reduce calm the overactive/stressed brain to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and improve sleep.
Cognitive Decline and Dementia: PBM improves cognitive function and has shown promise in studies of Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): PBM accelerates recovery from TBI by reducing inflammation and stimulating neuron repair.
Long COVID and Post-Viral Neuropsychiatric Symptoms: For patients suffering from the neurological after-effects of COVID-19, such as brain fog and fatigue in 4-6 brief sessions
While the research into PBM over the last 10 years is establishing it as a potent treatment option for many brain-based conditions. It offers a non-invasive, drug-free method of treatment with a low side-effect profile. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment modality.
Relevant Articles:
On PBM and Anxiety: Marco Maiello, Olivia M. Losiewicz, Eric Bui, Vincenza Spera, Michael R. Hamblin, Luana Marques, and Paolo Cassano.Transcranial Photobiomodulation with Near-Infrared Light for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Pilot Study.Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery.Oct 2019.644-650.http://doi.org/10.1089/photob.2019.4677
On PBM and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Leisman G, Machado C, Machado Y, Chinchilla-Acosta M. Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2018;1116:111-130. doi: 10.1007/5584_2018_234. PMID: 29956199.
On PBM and ADHD: Rybak YE, McNeely HE, Mackenzie BE, Jain UR, Levitan RD. An open trial of light therapy in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. 2006 Oct;67(10):1527-35. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v67n1006. PMID: 17107243.
Review of PBM for Depression: Montazeri K, et al. (2022) Photobiomodulation therapy in mood disorders: a systematic review. Lasers Med Sci. 2022 Dec;37(9):3343-3351. doi: 10.1007/s10103-022-03641-w.
PBM for Parkinson’s and cognitive decline: Ahrabi B, Tabatabaei Mirakabad FS, Niknazar S, Payvandi AA, Ahmady Roozbahany N, Ahrabi M, Torkamani SD, Abbaszadeh HA. Photobiomodulation Therapy and Cell Therapy Improved Parkinson's Diseases by Neuro-regeneration and Tremor Inhibition. J Lasers Med Sci. 2022 Jun 23;13:e28. doi: 10.34172/jlms.2022.28.
Chan AS, Lee TL, Yeung MK, Hamblin MR. Photobiomodulation improves the frontal cognitive function of older adults. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2019 Feb;34(2):369-377. doi: 10.1002/gps.5039. Epub 2018 Dec 10. PMID: 30474306