The Effects of Light: Photobiomodulation!
Light is an extremely powerful force.
Obviously it impacts our lives in many ways; and as a matter of fact we wouldn't even be here today without it!!
Light has an intrinsic role in our biological processes as well and researchers are now finding ways to take advantage of these advancements. The process of using light to create beneficial reactions in the human body is called PHOTOBIOMODULATION (PBM).
The sun is one of the most potent photobiomodulators. People have used light for healing purposes for thousands of years & sunlight has even been shown to be effective in treating conditions like psoriasis and acne. In recent years, however, it's become clear that monochromatic (one wavelength) far-infrared light just as beneficial and much safer.
Science has allowed for these biological processes to happen even without direct exposure to sunlight. The light that is emitted by phototherapy devices travels through the skin & into the tissues, where it stimulates cellular activity and energy production.
Phototherapy, also called low level laser therapy (LLLT), involves the use of light to treat various conditions. Red Light Therapy specifically refers to the treatment using near-infrared light at wavelengths between 600nm-1000nm to treat medical conditions.
Now photobiomodulation is commonly used to improve health and overall wellness.
The process uses specific bands of the light spectrum to increase cellular activity and energy production in the body.
PBM is becoming more and more important because it can improve mitochondrial function. It helps the mitochondria develop ATP (Adenosine Triphosphates). This is the power source for cells and allows for the proliferation of other important proteins and processes. Some of the observed cellular structure increases include fibroblasts, which are the base for collagen and elastin.
These are the proteins necessary for skin regeneration and regrowth. This also helps reduce inflammation, speed up wound healing, decrease pain perception by our neurons as a neuro-protectant, as well as activate stem cell activity and growth.
PBM devices are also used for depression and anxiety, as well as arthritis. Although it's still a relatively new field of medicine, it holds much promise in its ability to help people all over the world. This is one of the most exciting fields today because it holds so much potential in helping people live healthier, happier lives!
Currently, research is being conducted on how PBM can be used to treat cancer. Since this field is relatively young, there are many different theories being tested as well as many different treatment types being analyzed. Some of the more popular ones include Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), Low Level Light Therapy using lasers, and Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LIlT). More studies are being conducted around this topic and it just shows how serious scientists are taking the effects of photobiomodulation.
In another study, researchers observed how PBM was able to improve the overall health of endothelial cells. These are the cells that line our blood vessels and they play a major part in how we process oxygen & recover from injuries. With this information, scientists are gaining a much clearer picture of the overall impact of PBM & its effect on cells. All of this only increases the speed at which developments and discoveries are being made!
