Red Light Therapy

[Hopela]

A forum search reveals this has been mentioned very few times on this forum.

 

There's a growing body of research on red light's effects on specific dysfunctions and multiple health factors for people in general. Studies have been done on improved sleep, tinnitus, neural survival, neurogenesis, neuroplasticity and similarly relevant issues.

 

I've also come across very many mostly positive anecdotal reviews on webshops. Healing time, placebo effect and general sentiment or fake markering could explain that though.

 

With regards to withdrawal both specific effects and general health effects may be of interest.

 

Up until recently research amount and equipment prices have not been supportive of red light therapy for most but that is changing.

 

It can still be too costly and dishonestly marketed.

 

Like many things when you hear about them at first they seem like something weird people on the internet do - fasting, avoiding sugar, constantly varying their exercise routine, etc but like the stuff listed it can actually be useful though sounding weird at first and a decade later it's fairly common. Is red light therapy such a thing?

 

If one considers morning or evening light as red then exposure to red light has a natural background which gives it credibility with regards to not disturbing the body more than it helps.

 

Arguably we are also artificially under exposed to this type of light by not walking around nude outside at those hours while still getting other light during the day.

 

In the science very specific wave lengths but not it's neighbours are correlated with specific effects. The extreme degree of specificity leaves some questions unanswered but the experimental results are what they are.

 

At least it appears so far to not hurt more than your time and wallet if eye protection is worn. 

 

While you might be able to get red light therapy naturally depending on location and climate for many specific indoor therapy at a saloon or cheaper at home with a bought red light panel is more convenient. Then you can also regulate precise wattages and wavelengths according to scientific experiments. It's perfectly matched with 10 minutes of meditation, relaxation or even mental exercise.

 

I'm intrigued but not convinced. Worth a try?

[Crochet]

I recently bought an EMR-Tek Firewave.  I've had it less than a week, and imagine any benefits will appear slowly over time.  I haven't felt anything positive or negative yet.  I'm following the manufacturers guidance - start on low power for 5 minutes daily for a few days, then go up to 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes.  If low power is tolerated for 20 minutes, then will move up to high power for 5 minutes, etc., up to 20 minutes.

 

I'll report back if I experience anything positive or negative. 

 

I've also been trying to get outside in the morning to see the light of the sunrise and then periodically throughout the day. Hoping to benefit my circadian rhythm.

[Catina7]

I have a red light therapy light that I've had for a while.  Generally speaking, it is supposed to be very good for anxiety and depression.  I hadn't used it in a long time, but the past 2 days I used it, hoping that it would help with my anxiety.  Well, I woke up this morning to a headache and feeling a bit dizzy and nauseous.  It's the only thing I've done differently in the past couple days.  So for some reason it didn't agree with me and churned up some WD effects that I haven't felt in a long time.  So, I guess I'll have to check this off my list for now....bummer!  

[Crochet]

I've been using the red light for 20 minutes a day, about 5 days a week. I use it on the front of my body for 10 minutes and then the top of my head for 10 minutes. I haven't felt anything positive or negative outside of my normal ups and downs. I'm just over two years from initial antidepressant withdrawal injury. It's one of several things I am trying to help further support my system and will keep using it. My time with the red light is a relaxing time where I work on my meditation practice.

[Catina7]

On 3/18/2023 at 10:08 PM, Crochet said:

I've been using the red light for 20 minutes a day, about 5 days a week. I use it on the front of my body for 10 minutes and then the top of my head for 10 minutes. I haven't felt anything positive or negative outside of my normal ups and downs. I'm just over two years from initial antidepressant withdrawal injury. It's one of several things I am trying to help further support my system and will keep using it. My time with the red light is a relaxing time where I work on my meditation practice.

 

I'm really glad to hear it works for you!  I was so disappointed when it seemed to trigger some headaches and nausea in myself.  It's so weird how everyone is so different in how they react to things.  I may try it again down the road, but if I do maybe I'll try it for a shorter period of time.  

[Crochet]

@Catina7 It is so weird and so true. We have to learn to listen to our bodies and trust our intuition regardless of what anyone else says or does. So many lessons on this journey.