Ask Dr. Nick
On today’s episode, Dr. Nick talks about transcranial photobiomodulation or low level laser/light therapy (LLLT) and how it can benefit the brain. LLLT has been very popular for musculoskeletal problems like wound healing and ligament injury, but it can also benefit the brain. There is evidence that LLLT to the brain improves outcomes in neurodegeneration, traumatic brain injury, and psychiatric disorders. Photobiomodulation is the term that describes the effect of light on biological systems. It involves activating mitochondria in the brain cells to improve function. This results in improved energy efficiency, increased removal of waste, decreased oxidative stress, and improved cell function with neuroplasticity. Check out the video for more in depth information on the benefits of low level laser therapy for the brain!
Reference: Hamblin MR. Shining light on the head: Photobiomodulation for brain disorders. BBA Clin. 2016;6:113-124.
Saltmarche AE, Naeser MA, Ho KF, Hamblin MR, Lim L. Significant Improvement in Cognition in Mild to Moderately Severe Dementia Cases Treated with Transcranial Plus Intranasal Photobiomodulation: Case Series Report. Photomed Laser Surg. 2017;35(8):432-441.
