Client I.T. was a typical 40-year-old mother and pharmaceutical sales rep living in Vancouver when her life changed dramatically after a car accident in 2019. What seemed like a mild concussion turned into years of navigating brain fog, anxiety, sensory overload, and fatigue. The vibrant, social person she once was felt distant.
Unfortunately, stories like these are more common than we think. Every year, an estimated 1.7 to 3.8 million traumatic brain injuries occur in the United States (Agarwal, Thakkar & Than, 2024).. What the statistics fail to encapsulate is the long lasting impact of these injuries and the arduous road to recovery that can span for years to come.
Luckily for Client I.T., her psychologist, Dr. Andrea Araujo, started her with the Neuradiant 1070 and over the course of 7 months, things began to change.
This is her story of progress, resilience, and the potential of transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM).
Life After mTBI: A Daily Struggle
Before the accident, I.T. was outgoing and energetic, working in pharmaceutical sales and raising her young child. After her life-altering accident, she began to struggle with the following:
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Brain fog and memory issues
- Difficulty multitasking and planning
- Anxiety and disrupted sleep
- Pain in her neck, shoulders, and back
- Balance issues and social withdrawal
Despite her naturally resilient personality, the post-concussion symptoms made daily life difficult.
The Approach: Using Light to Support Brain Function
In April 2024, I.T. began using the Neuradiant 1070, a tPBM device that delivers near-infrared light (1070 nm wavelength) to the brain. This light supports cellular energy and regulation by stimulating mitochondrial function.
She used a qEEG based clinical protocol on the device twice daily for 7 months, occasionally adding a third session during periods of heightened anxiety. Alongside this, she participated in biweekly counseling and used self-regulation tools like breathing exercises and occasional PEMF support ad hoc.
A Measured Shift: What Changed
Throughout her journey, I.T. tracked her experience with brain maps (qEEG), anxiety and depression questionnaires, and clinical feedback. Here’s what evolved:
Brain Activity
Mental Health & Cognition
- Notable reduction in OCD-like behaviors
- Greater clarity, confidence, and emotional stability
Sleep & Energy
- Deeper, more consistent sleep
- Stopped relying on caffeine
- Better energy resilience despite occasional late nights
Everyday Wins
- Comfortable using public transit again
- Traveled by plane with ease
- Found learning and focus easier than before
- Reconnected with gratitude and future goals
What the Research Says
tPBM works by stimulating cytochrome c oxidase, which boosts energy production within cells. Studies have shown that PBM can help:
- Reduce inflammation (Hamblin, 2017)
- Support neurogenesis (Tu et al., 2023)
- Encourage lymphatic drainage (Valverde et al., 2023)
These findings may explain the improvements seen in client I.t.
Looking Ahead
While some challenges remain—like sensitivity to social environments or difficulty with complex tasks—I.T. describes herself as feeling “bored” now that she’s functioning at a higher level, she is looking for the next challenge on self-improvement. Her focus has shifted from coping day-to-day to thinking about what's next in work, life, and purpose.
Final Thoughts
Every brain is different. But stories like I.T.’s remind us of the remarkable ways the brain can adapt and change—especially when supported by thoughtful, evidence-informed tools like photobiomodulation.
Want to explore more stories like this or learn about the Neuradiant 1070? Connect with us here.
References:
Agarwal, N., Thakkar , R., & Than, K. (2024, April 11). Sports-related Head Injury. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. https://www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/sports-related-head-injury/
Hamblin, M. R. (2017). Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS biophysics. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5523874/
Tu J; Huang Y ;Huang Y; Wu M; Wang R; (2023, September). [photobiomodulation promotes hippocampal neurogenesis and improves cognitive function and anti-inflammatory injury in rats with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion]. Sichuan da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Sichuan University. Medical science edition. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37866954/
Valverde, A., Mitrofanis, J., Magistretti, P., Billeres, M., Moro, C., & Hamilton, C. (2023, March). Lights at night: Does photobiomodulation improve sleep? : Neural regeneration research. Lights at night: does photobiomodulation improve sleep? https://journals.lww.com/nrronline/fulltext/2023/03000/lights_at_night__does_photobiomodulation_improve.2.aspx
