Two older adults standing outdoors against a cloudy sky, wearing light-colored jackets

Research on Light Therapy and Wellness + Longevity

Stress, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive overload are common factors that can diminish overall wellbeing and lifespan. Early research suggests photobiomodulation (PBM) can help regulate mood, enhance focus, and promote restorative sleep, making it a promising tool for supporting whole-person wellness and longevity.

Couple holding hands running through a green field, woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat with arm raised, man in beige shirt viewed from behind

Domains of Wellness and Longevity

The terms “wellness” and “longevity” encapsulate a multifaceted approach to health and often include the following components:

Sleep - Support circadian rhythm stability and sleep quality so you wake more rested and cognitively sharp.
Memory - Promote hippocampal plasticity and recall for learning and day-to-day memory.
Mental Clarity - Enhance information processing, and mental stamina.
Attention - Improve sustained focus and reduce “brain fog” in demanding tasks.
Calmness - Encourage balanced stress responses and smoother emotional regulation.

Reduced Inflammation

Chronic low-grade inflammation accelerates aging and is associated with many age-related diseases. PBM has anti-inflammatory effects, which may support healthier aging and wellness by reducing systemic inflammation (Hamblin, 2017).
See the Study
Cognitive Performance

A pilot study found that a single session of transcranial PBM improved attention and short-term memory in healthy adults, suggesting benefits for everyday cognitive efficiency (Barrett & Gonzalez-Lima, 2013).
See the Study
Executive Function & Focus

Gonzalez-Lima & Barrett (2014) reported enhanced executive function and sustained attention following PBM, highlighting its potential as a tool for optimizing mental performance in both students and professionals.
See the Study
Sleep & Fatigue

Research indicates that PBM can improve sleep quality by regulating circadian rhythm stability and supporting restorative rest, factors that directly contribute to overall wellbeing (Hamblin, 2016).
See the Study
Neuroprotection & Plasticity

Reviews show that PBM enhances mitochondrial function (via cytochrome-c oxidase), upregulates neurotrophins such as BDNF, and promotes synaptogenesis/neurogenesis — mechanisms underpinning learning, memory, and resilience (Salehpour et al., 2018; Hennessy & Hamblin, 2017).
See the Study
Stress & Mood Regulation

Preclinical studies demonstrate that PBM reduces anxiety-like behaviors and normalizes stress-related biomarkers, suggesting its usefulness in promoting calmness and emotional balance (Eshaghi, Sadigh-Eteghad, Mohaddes, & Rasta, 2019).
See the Study
Enhancing Mitochondrial Function

Enhanced mitochondrial function is linked with slower cellular aging and resilience against age-related decline, in addition to cognitive optimization. PBM stimulates mitochondrial enzymes, such as cytochrome-c oxidase, which can increase ATP production and improve cellular energy metabolism (de Freitas & Hamblin, 2016).
See the Study

Attention & Memory

Authors:: Dr. Michael Lundie, Daniel Krawczyk, et al.
Published:: September 16, 2025
Sample size:: 8 (n=4 active, n=4 sham)

This 2025 pilot, randomized, double-blind study by Dr. Michael Lundie and colleagues investigated whether transcranial photobiomodulation via the Neuradiant 1070 could enhance cognitive performance and neurophysiological markers compared to a sham condition in healthy adults. Participants who received active tPBM demonstrated significantly faster reaction times (greater and sustained pupil dilation), improved working memory under high cognitive load, and increased physiological markers of attentional engagement relative to sham. Additional findings included greater pupil dilation during task performance - suggestive of enhanced neuromodulatory activity - and reductions in self-reported stress and mood symptoms in a majority of tPBM participants. Collectively, these results indicate that tPBM may acutely improve processing speed, attention, and cognitive efficiency, supporting its potential as a non-invasive tool for cognitive augmentation.

Read the full publication

AMSUS Military Medicine journal cover for 2024 Military Health System Research Symposium proceedings

Methods

Design & Participants:

A randomized, double-blind study involving eight adults (18–45 years), randomly assigned to either the tPBM group (n = 4) or a sham group (n = 4). Each participant completed two sessions, spaced approximately six days apart.

Intervention

tPBM group: received near-infrared light (1070 nm) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for 15 minutes per session. Sham group: wore the same device but received only a brief initial light cue without sustained stimulation.

Assesments

Cognitive battery including reaction time tasks (e.g., psychomotor vigilance), working memory measures, pupillometry, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21).

Results

Processing Speed:

The tPBM group showed significantly faster reaction times compared to sham (plasticity and RT measures significant at p = .013 and p = .038).

Working Memory:

Comparison of high-load and composite kVcues between IPEM and sham conditions, shown as box plots across four kinase metrics with error bars

In high-load orientation trials, tPBM participants had significantly higher working memory capacity (K-values) than the sham group, suggesting better performance under cognitive load.

Pupillometry & Attention:

Line graph showing reaction time versus pupil dilation for sham and active groups, with active group trending upward and sham group trending downward

Participants receiving tPBM exhibited increased pupil dilation and greater consistency during tasks - physiological markers of heightened attentional engagement and potential involvement of neuromodulatory pathways (e.g., locus coeruleus-norepinephrine).

Psychological Metrics:

A majority of tPBM participants showed reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress scores, whereas sham controls did not show consistent improvements

FAQs

What results can be expected and when?

Types of results and their timelines vary depending on the individuals. However, a combination of research and anecdotal evidence from providers suggests some expected results to be the following: improved language capabilities, improvements in emotional regulation, decreased repetitive behaviours, and improved social skills/engagement. While some clients may see results very quickly, others may take a few months.

What is mitochondrial dysfunction?

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a term that encapsulates dysfunction in various operations of the mitochondria. With mitochondria being the main energy producers of the cell, dysfunction can lead to reduced ATP (energy) production, increased oxidative stress, and difficulty maintaining healthy cell function. When mitochondria can’t keep up with the body’s energy demands or fail to remove damaged components, it can affect brain function, muscle strength, immune response, and overall vitality. Mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to many conditions, including fatigue, neurodegeneration, and metabolic disorders (Zong et al., 2024).

How many PBM sessions will I need?

Benefits can often be noticed within a few sessions, especially related to sleep and mental clarity. For cognitive improvements, consistent use over several weeks or months is typically recommended. As AD is often referred to as a neurodegenerative disease with genetic components, incorporating light therapy as a regular lifestyle habit can support overall brain health and give your brain the best chance to stay at its most performing level over time.

Is PBM safe?

Yes. PBM is FDA-cleared for various applications and has a strong safety profile. It’s non-invasive, painless, and has no known serious side effects when used as directed.

References

Barrett, D. W., & Gonzalez-Lima, F. (2013). Transcranial infrared laser stimulation produces beneficial cognitive and emotional effects in humans. Neuroscience, 230, 13–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.11.016

de Freitas, L. F., & Hamblin, M. R. (2016). Proposed mechanisms of photobiomodulation or low-level light therapy.IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 22(3), 7000417. https://doi.org/10.1109/JSTQE.2016.2561201

Eshaghi, E., Sadigh-Eteghad, S., Mohaddes, G., & Rasta, S. H. (2019). Transcranial photobiomodulation prevents anxiety and depression via changing serotonin and nitric oxide levels in brain of depression model mice: A study of three different doses of 810 nm laser. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 51(7), 634–642. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.23082

Gonzalez-Lima, F., & Barrett, D. W. (2014). Augmentation of cognitive brain functions with transcranial lasers. Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience, 8, 36. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnsys.2014.00036

Hamblin, M. R. (2016). Shining light on the head: Photobiomodulation for brain disorders. BBA Clinical, 6, 113–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbacli.2016.09.002

Hamblin, M. R. (2017). Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophysics, 4(3), 337–361. https://doi.org/10.3934/biophy.2017.3.337

Hennessy, M., & Hamblin, M. R. (2017). Photobiomodulation and the brain: A new paradigm. Journal of Optics, 19(1), 013003. https://doi.org/10.1088/2040-8986/19/1/013003

Lundie, M., Koch, M., Villanueva, A., Nguyen, T., Garner, C., Satsangi, M., Advani, P., & Krawczyk, D. (2025). Illuminating cognitive performance: Assessing the role of transcranial photobiomodulation in augmenting cognition. Military Medicine, 190(Supplement_2), 456–463. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usaf227

Salehpour, F., Mahmoudi, J., Kamari, F., Sadigh-Eteghad, S., Rasta, S. H., & Hamblin, M. R. (2018). Brain photobiomodulation therapy: A narrative review. Molecular Neurobiology, 55(8), 6601–6636. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-017-0852-4