It is generally advisable to be wary of therapies that appear too good to be true. These days, treatments or practices that are promoted as panaceas or miracle cures are all too common. There are also treatments that, despite their seeming simplicity, have a significant positive impact on health. Light treatment may be one of them, according to one study, particularly in terms of the condition and activity of brain cells (1).
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University investigated optogenetics, which is the study of using light to either stimulate or inhibit neurons, which are the primary kind of brain cells.
According to the study, this method can, in fact, cause long-lasting modifications in neuronal function that don’t need for additional therapies. Currently, the new technology is intended to help researchers better understand brain functions; however, in the future, it is hoped that it will be able to be utilized therapeutically for brain disorders such as mental diseases or Alzheimer’s disease.
How Reliable is Light Therapy?
As previously mentioned, one of those treatments that could sound a little questionable is light therapy. It doesn’t seem possible that shining light on your body or brain cells could be a medical innovation supported by science. However, this study and numerous others that have preceded it have indicated that light treatment holds great promise. Previous studies have demonstrated that light treatment can:
- Give a daily supply of vitamin D to your body (2)
- Advantageous effects of traumatic brain injury and PTSD (3)
- Improve seasonal affective disorder
- Red light therapy is a treatment for skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne
Since melatonin—the primary “sleep hormone”—is created in dark environments and blocked by light, even small actions like getting some sun exposure in the morning can have a positive impact on your energy levels throughout the day and ability to sleep.
So, while we’re a long way from employing the light therapy examined in this study to treat brain diseases, it contributes to a growing body of data that light therapy is, in fact, valid.
Ways to Help Maintain Mental Wellness Now
As it will take a while for light therapy to affect the brain in a more noticeable way, it’s important to consider what other tried-and-true techniques we can use right now to improve brain function and reaction time.
Nootropic pills, which enhance brain health and support memory, mood regulation, and cognitive performance, are a simple place to start.
Meditation is a fantastic additional technique for supporting brain health. Studies have demonstrated that meditation can help reduce brain cell volume in the amygdala, the area of the brain linked to fear, anxiety, and stress. The hippocampus is the region of the brain that is responsible for learning and regulating emotions.
It has even been demonstrated to change the conductivity and behavior of neurons, just as light treatment did in the recently published MIT/Harvard study (4).
![Is Light Therapy the Next Big Brain Treatment?](https://i0.wp.com/jasminefeliciano.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Is-Light-Therapy-the-Next-Big-Brain-Treatment-pin.png?resize=683%2C1024&quality=80&ssl=1)
Related Post: This Mineral is Essential for Brain Vitality
To Wrap Things Up
While light therapy looks promising for future medical treatments, it’s important to stay cautious about any treatment that seems like a miracle cure. This study from MIT and Harvard shows that light therapy could have real benefits, adding to other proven methods for mental wellness.
Using supplements and meditation can help improve brain function and mental health right now. As research progresses, these therapies might become more effective for treating brain disorders. Stay informed and rely on practices backed by science.
Sources |
- Optogenetic polymerization and assembly of electrically functional polymers for modulation of single-neuron excitability – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Sunlight and Vitamin D – PMC (nih.gov)
- Significant Improvements in Cognitive Performance Post-Transcranial, Red/Near-Infrared Light-Emitting Diode Treatments in Chronic, Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Open-Protocol Study | Journal of Neurotrauma (liebertpub.com)
- Meditation and Yoga can Modulate Brain Mechanisms that affect Behavior and Anxiety-A Modern Scientific Perspective – PMC (nih.gov)
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