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Photobiomodulation for Brain Injuries & Biohacking: Science You Can Use
By The Neuronic Team • June 26, 2025
If you’ve experienced a concussion, live with TBI, or work with patients who do—this is for you.
Brain trauma isn’t one-size-fits-all, and recovery doesn’t have to be either. Today we’re diving into how transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) is opening new possibilities for healing after concussions, TBI, and even suspected CTE.
Not All Brain Injuries Are the Same—Here’s Why That Matters
Whether it’s a sports injury, fall, or combat incident, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) remain a massive public health issue with more than 37 million TBI cases reported globally in 2021 (Yan et al., 2025). PBM is now being investigated as a non-invasive intervention that supports neurogenesis, restores blood flow, and repairs damaged mitochondria (Salgado et al., 2015; Hamblin & Huang, 2019).
There Are Distinct Differences Between TBI, Concussion, and CTE:
Concussion (mTBI)
- Temporary loss of normal brain function
- Usually resolves in 2–4 weeks
- Common symptoms: confusion, dizziness, sensitivity to light, sleep trouble, etc.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Longer loss of consciousness (30+ mins)
- Often includes swelling, lesions on imaging
- Recovery may take months or be lifelong
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
- Progressive and irreversible
- Linked to repeated brain trauma
- Involves tau protein tangles, neurodegeneration, memory loss, mood instability, aggression, etc.
What’s Actually Happening in the Brain When Trauma Occurs?
Head trauma disrupts cerebral blood flow, glucose metabolism, and mitochondrial function leading to oxidative stress, swelling, and ultimately, neuronal death. In CTE (only diagnosable post mortem), tau tangles (distinct from Alzheimer’s) accumulate, killing off neural circuits, especially in the amygdala and hippocampus.
💡 How PBM Can Help
Studies suggest that transcranial PBM works through several powerful mechanisms:
- Increases nitric oxide (NO) release → vasodilation → improved blood flow
- Boosts ATP production → energy restoration in damaged brain cells
- Promotes neurogenesis and synaptogenesis
- Stimulates mitochondrial resilience post-trauma
STUDY #1: PBM for Long-Term Concussion Symptoms
- “Significant improvements in cognitive performance post-transcranial, red/near-infrared light-emitting diode treatments in chronic, mild traumatic brain injury: open-protocol study” – Naeser et al., Journal of Neurotrauma
- Who? 11 individuals (ages 26–62) with chronic mTBI
- What? 3 sessions/week for 6 weeks, red + NIR LED clusters
- When? Treatment began 10 months to 8 years post-injury
What They Found:
- Better sleep
- Reduced PTSD symptoms
- Improved cognitive + social functioning
🔑 Main takeaway: It’s never too late for PBM in the cases of long term concussion symptoms.
STUDY #2: Researches Conducted a Study on PBM for TBI in Mice
“tPBM Reduces Neurological Deficits in Mice” – Oron et al., 2025
- TBI in test mice induced via weight-drop
- Laser applied at 4, 6, or 8 hours post-injury
- Pulsed and continuous wave compared
What They Found:
- Faster recovery in neurological scores
- 63% full recovery rate (best in pulsed wave @ 100 Hz)
- Reduced lesion size (MRI-confirmed)
🔑 Main takeaway: PBM reduced long-term damage. Pulsed light may work better than continuous.
STUDY #3: PBM for Possible CTE in Football Players
- “Transcranial Photobiomodulation Treatment: Significant Improvements in Four Ex-Football Players with Possible Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy” – Naeser et al., J Alzheimers Dis Rep. 2023,
- Who? 4 ex-athletes (age 55–74) with suspected CTE
- What? NIR light (810–870nm) at multiple scalp sites
- How Often? 3x/week tPBM for 6 weeks
Outcomes:
- Cognitive performance improved 1.5–2 standard deviations
- Better sleep, reduced pain, less PTSD
- One participant discontinued narcotic pain medications
- Improved mitochondrial function in the anterior cingulate cortex ACC (fMRI)
🔑 Main takeaway: PBM may modulate symptoms even in neurodegeneration.
Biohackers Knew It, Now The World Is Catching Up
Yes, PBM isn’t just for recovery—it's for optimization, and it’s been gaining popularity since 2009.
As biohackers target longevity, focus, and resilience, tPBM offers a powerful, non-invasive tool for:
- Mitochondrial health → increase ATP (energy production) support as we age
- Provide neuroprotection → reduced the normal age-related neuro decline
- Biometric improvement → the effects of PBM can be monitored through other common biohacking devices/metrics, like HRV
Discussion Rounds: Neuradiant 1070 mTBI Case Study Recap + July Preview
Thanks to everyone who joined us for “tPBM for mTBI: A Case Study on Brain Function and Psychometric Outcomes.”
Watch the recording → Click here to access it
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📖 Read the full case breakdown in our blog:
🔗 Rewiring the Brain with Light: A Real-Life Breakthrough in Post-Concussion Recovery by Andrea Araujo Ph.D. & Nicole Greig, Clinical Integration Specialist
📄 Full case study PDF download available at the end of the blog.
🧠 Next Discussion Round → July 3, 2025 @ 11am Eastern Time
Topic: The Effects of Transcranial Photobiomodulation on Cognitive Brain Neurophysiology: Real-World Applications in Performance, Concussion, and Age-Related Cognitive Impairment
Speaker: Dr Ryan C. N. D’Arcy, PhD, PEng. of HealthTech Connex and co-developer of the NeuroCatch Platform
📚 Continued Reading
Have you enjoyed what you've read so far? Don't want this newsletter to be over? Head on over to our blog! We’ve published several important articles and blogs this month — here's what's new from Neuronic:
🧠 Not Sure Where to Begin With Neuronic’s Protocols? Start Here
🔍 How Often Should You Use PBM? Here's What the Data Suggests
That’s a Wrap for June!
We’re grateful to have you in our community. Whether you're researching, treating, or just exploring new possibilities. Thank you for joining us in shaping the future of brain health.
See you next month – and stay curious.
—The Neuronic Team
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