- Andrew Hasty
- Verified
Red Light Therapy biohacking for Men
Your Guide On How To Use Red Light To Boost Testosterone, Brain, Skin, Recovery, Sleep & More.
What is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy is the practice of shining specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared (NIR) light on your body using high-quality LED technology. It utilizes two specific wavelengths of light (mid-600s nm of red light and mid-800s nm of near-infrared light) that are naturally emitted by the sun. In targeted doses, these wavelengths of light provide a wide range of health benefits across different systems and parts of the body. Tony Robbins, Ben Greenfield, Olympic Athletes and thousands of other men use red light therapy to improve their bodies and minds.
It helps with things like:
- Skin repair and anti-aging
- Muscle recovery and endurance
- Pain and inflammation
- Boosted test and libido
- Cognitive function
- Sleep
- Mental health and stress
Red light therapy is a noninvasive way to improve your overall health and wellness by using safe levels of red light that can penetrate deep into the body to promote tissue healing and rejuvenation. Read on to see the light! and explore the clinically based benefits of red light therapy. Let’s get into the details.
Note: You can shop the #1 rated red light therapy device here.
Why do we need light to be healthy?
Do you spend all day indoors or in front of a computer? You aren’t alone. The average person today spends 90% of their time indoors, cut off from the natural light of the sun. To make matters worse — much of the time we spend indoors is filled with artificial blue light, fluorescent light bulbs, and other toxins that we are chronically exposed to. Our human bodies were designed to function with an abundance of natural sunlight, but with our modern lifestyles, we don’t get nearly enough light to have optimal health.
The type of light you are exposed to on a daily basis has huge implications on your health. Have you ever wondered why you feel so good after spending a day at the beach? It is because sunshine is energizing and healing.
Red light therapy is here to change that.
This is where red light therapy comes into play. Red light therapy is a natural way to help your body get the sunlight it needs. Imagine getting all the benefits of sunlight without ever having to leave your house on a cold, dark day. With red light therapy, you can do just that. Plus, it’s affordable and easy to use – there’s no excuse not to try it out for yourself.
How Red Light Therapy Works:
Before we get into the benefits of red light therapy, it is always helpful to have an understanding of the science behind why red light therapy is so effective. When red light hits your body, it is absorbed by the mitochondria in your cells. Each one of your body’s cells — stem cells, brain cells, skin cells, and every other type of cell — has between 20-50 mitochondria living in it. And these mitochondria are the engines of the cell (as you remember from high school biology class, the are called the “powerhouse of the cell for a reason”).
Mitochondria take in nutrients, break them down, and create fuel for the cell — which is known as adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The more ATP or fuel you have in your cells, the more energy your cells can make, and thus the more energy you have.
What science has shown us over the last decade is that mitochondria are highly responsive to red and near-infrared light. They are able to use red light sources as energy to produce ATP more efficiently. As the red light hits your mitochondria, the cellular respiration process happens, which does the following:
- Increases electron transport
- Increases ADP
- Increases nitric oxide release
- Increases blood flow
- Increases reactive oxygen species
- Activates diverse signaling pathways
The resulting elevation of ATP is then used to power metabolic processes; synthesize DNA, RNA, proteins, enzymes, and other products needed to repair or regenerate cell components, and restore homeostasis. All of this has definitive downstream health benefits.
We’ll break down the science behind why this is important.
Red light enables the breaking up of the major roadblock to ATP and water production — which is caused by excess nitric oxide stuck (NO) in the cell. Excess NO gets in the way of ATP production. Red light acts by “exciting” the electrons and freeing the excessive NO from the cell. The process of the NO leaving the cell is why many people feel a “pump” after using red light therapy.
When nitric oxide is released in your body, it relaxes the walls of blood vessels, allowing for increased blood flow through arteries and veins — and ultimately improves circulation.
Nitric oxide also:
- Reduces oxidative stress by fighting free radicals
- Prevents vessels from platelet clumping
- Aids in blood pressure regulation
- All of the above allows the molecule to enhance blood circulation to deliver vital nutrients and oxygen to damaged tissues. This sparks the repair and regeneration of injured tissues, thus reducing pain and inflammation.
Understanding the benefits of red light therapy
You now know that the more efficiently your cells create ATP energy through cellular respiration, the better your body feels and performs. Red and near-infrared (NIR) light stimulates mitochondria and works against nitric oxide and oxidative stress that weakens our cells and slows us down — so it has a wide range of effects across the body.
Here are the biggest benefits of red light therapy.
Red light for enhanced testosterone and fertility
Yes, very similar to the viral meme of “sunning your balls,” red light therapy directly on the balls has been proven in studies to increase the activity of the Leydig cells in your testes. These Leydig cells are responsible for testosterone production and fertility.
Think of the red light “waking up” the dormant cells that have been lazy. Oftentimes these cells are lazy because they see no reason to be turned “on” due to the constant low-level stress in your life. And don’t worry – red light therapy does not emit heat or have UV rays like the sun — so your little guys are safe down there.
Check out what @realsolbrah has to say about it — “I can also anecdotally back up that I feel more aroused and vibrant after a good red light session on the balls each morning. The blood flow and general feeling of warmth that follows is pleasant and I definitely notice the difference.”
Low-level laser therapy or LLLT (red light therapy) has also been shown to help male fertility, largely because of its role in testosterone production. “The literature review showed that LLLT is beneficial in treating male infertility. Laser can significantly improve the survival, motility and speed of movement of sperm.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28966858/
Red light for skin health and anti-aging
When you regularly use red light therapy on your face, it gets to the root cause of many skin issues by naturally enhancing collagen while simultaneously reducing inflammation. Red light has been shown to improve skin, boosts natural collagen production, and speeds the healing of wounds and scars.
In one double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 4% of the participants reported a visible improvement in fine lines and wrinkles. In clinical trials, natural red and near-infrared light has also been found to have a therapeutic effect on the symptoms of painful skin conditions like psoriasis, herpes, and acne. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19146602/
Red light therapy for healing skin
Red light therapy promotes the formation of new blood vessels and tissue in the skin, leading to faster healing across the board for all kinds of wounds, injuries, scars, and acne. In a 2018 study of light therapy and chronic wounds in diabetes patients, researchers found that the group treated with an LED device for a period of 8 weeks resulted in scars with a smaller mean surface area compared to the non-LED group. “This research noted a significant improvement in PBM*-treated wounds (30 – 50%) in a majority of subjects compared with minimal changes in the control group.” (*PMB refers to photobiomodulation, which is another name for red light therapy.) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27896528/
Red Light Therapy for recovery
When you train hard and perform at a high physical level, muscle recovery is essential. Many professional athletes have been turning to red light therapy to help them recover.
Because red light therapy works by increasing blood flow and stimulating cell regeneration, athletes are able to speed up the recovery process by using this approach. Researchers demonstrated that muscle thickness and strength were significantly improved (over 50%) in those who used red light therapy. These results were clearly measurable using ultrasound imaging. Using red light therapy for 10-minutes post-workout seems to result in the best recovery outcomes for athletes. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25417170/
Red Light Therapy for accelerating fat loss
Similar to muscle recovery, using red light therapy has strong anti-fat properties and can help accelerate fat loss when paired with exercise. This means you can simultaneously build muscle and burn fat when using red light therapy post-workout.
A recent 20-week clinical study concluded that “red light therapy doubles fat loss; showing an 11% reduction in fat for participants who used red light compared to a 6% reduction in fat for participants with placebo.”
Red light has also been shown to improve insulin sensitivity (40% for red light therapy vs. 22% placebo). When it comes to losing fat, reducing insulin sensitivity is critical.
Another study showed “for the first time that phototherapy enhances the physical exercise effects in obese people undergoing weight loss treatment promoting significant changes in inflexibility metabolic profile.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26220050/
Red Light Therapy for sleep and circadian rhythm
If you’re struggling to fall asleep and/or stay asleep, you likely have artificial light to thank for that. Artificial light has the power to knock your circadian rhythm entirely out of whack. Thankfully, red and near-infrared light does the opposite of fluorescent and blue light and helps reset your internal clock.
Red light has a long wavelength, which has a calming effect on the body in the evening. Therefore, it has beneficial effects on sleep and other physical properties that help promote relaxation and rest in the evenings while offsetting harmful blue light exposure during the days.
Clinical research is also showing that red light therapy can improve sleep quality and duration, and helps people produce more of their own melatonin – also known as “the sleep hormone.” A recent clinical study found that “A regime of 14-day whole-body irradiation with red light treatment improved the sleep, serum melatonin level, and endurance performance.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23182016/
Red light therapy for brain function
Many learning experts and professional memory athletes have been using near and red light therapy to improve cognitive function. Research on red light therapy and brain health shows that natural light improves reaction time, attention, memory, and executive function. Using red light therapy in the morning has been proven to make your mind sharper and your head clearer.
New research is also showing how shining red light on your head and brain cells may improve your cognitive functions like memory and executive function. A new study showed that after a light therapy session, people were able to perform difficult tests with less cognitive effort and difficulty.
In short, tasks with higher memory loads may be easier to work through after your brain has received specific wavelengths of light.
One clinical study involved men and women with a history of traumatic brain injury who were administered red and NIR light therapy treatment for their brains in 18 sessions over 6 weeks. Results showed that they experienced improved sleep and “fewer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Participants and family members also reported better social function and a better ability to perform interpersonal and occupational activities.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5066074/
Red light therapy for mental health
Red light laser therapy can help eliminate fatigue (partially by working to support the thyroid), support a balanced mood, improve mental clarity, and improve general positivity while reducing anxiety, depression, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Sound too good to be true? Let’s look at the science.
Similar to the way that red light works for cognitive function, it also helps with depression and anxiety. “The first study in MDD (major depressive disorder) patients showed that a single session of LED therapy alleviated depression and anxiety symptoms at 2 weeks post-irradiation. At the end of four weeks, 6 out of 10 patients experienced a remission in their depression and 7 out of 10 patients experienced remission of their anxiety.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2796659/
Red light therapy for hair loss
Red and near-infrared light promotes the transition of hair follicles from the telogen phase back to the anagen phase, which facilitates increased duration in the growth phase and, thus, hair growth.
Other mechanisms by which RLT may help hair health include:
- Improved particular growth factors
- Modulation of inflammation
- Improved health and efficiency of mitochondrial functioning
- Positive effects on nitric oxide levels and blood flow to the area
Subjects receiving red light therapy “achieved a 37% increase in hair counts as compared to sham treated control patients in this multicenter RCT”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25124964/
Red light therapy for reducing pain
Red light therapy has shown immense potential as a natural treatment for pain and inflammation without the risks of pharmaceuticals.
Pain is also effectively modulated by red light therapy through various mechanisms: changes in tissue opioid receptors, changes in substance P (involved in the transmission of pain), and disruption of nerve transmission and pain sensation.
A recent clinical study concluded that “In patients with arthritis, relative to a separate control group, red light therapy reduced pain by 70% relative to placebo and reduced morning stiffness by 27.5 min.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10955339
How to choose a red light therapy device?
When it comes to red light therapy, the most important factor is having a device that generates pure, natural light and puts out the right wavelengths at the right intensity. Not all devices on the market do this — especially not the cheap versions.
In order to see the benefits, make sure your device is truly medical-grade, 3rd party-tested, FDA-cleared, and the company has a strong reputation. For reference, all Vital Red Light Devices use clinical-grade 5-watt LEDs to deliver the most safe and effective dosage of red and near-infrared light to your body.
Vital Red Light Therapy devices use light to boost natural healing and regeneration within your body. By helping to bring your body back to its natural state of balance, you’ll notice an increase in your energy levels, mood, and overall well-being.
The extensive research and studies behind the efficacy of red light therapy paired with the medical-grade Vital Red Light devices makes it clear that you stand to gain a lot from incorporating red light therapy into your life.
Here are some of the benefits you’ll experience from making Vital Red Light Therapy a part of your daily routine:
- Enhanced testosterone
- Improved fertility
- Better skin health
- Fewer fine lines and wrinkles
- Quicker muscle recovery
- Improved physical performance
- Accelerated weight loss
- Higher quality sleep and a regulated internal clock
- Improved reaction time
- Better attention
- Increased memory
- Better overall executive brain function
- Remission in depression and anxiety
- Boost in hair growth
- Reduced pain and inflammation
If you’re ready to become the best version of yourself, check out the different Vital Red Light devices here to decide which one best fits your wants and needs.
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