Can shining red and infrared light on the head help depressed rats feel better?
Transcranial Photobiomodulation Modulates Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Complex IV Activity in Anhedonic-Like Behavior
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Red light (600 nm) reduced mitochondrial complex IV activity in the prefrontal cortex, while infrared (840 nm) increased it.
Everyone assumed more mitochondrial activity = better. But red light actually lowered it—suggesting the brain doesn’t always need more energy, just better balance.
Practical Takeaways
If you're considering red/infrared light therapy for mood, look for devices that emit 600 nm and 840 nm wavelengths with transcranial targeting.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Red light (600 nm) reduced mitochondrial complex IV activity in the prefrontal cortex, while infrared (840 nm) increased it.
Everyone assumed more mitochondrial activity = better. But red light actually lowered it—suggesting the brain doesn’t always need more energy, just better balance.
Practical Takeaways
If you're considering red/infrared light therapy for mood, look for devices that emit 600 nm and 840 nm wavelengths with transcranial targeting.
Publication
Journal
Neurochemical Research
Year
2026
Authors
Luciana Bortoluzzi, Rafael Colombo, Karoline Borges da Motta Pinto, Lucas Henriques Viscardi, Ricardo Missiaggia, Douglas Jean Turella, Lisandra Schwantess, Mirian Salvador, C. Branco, Marina Rigotti, Ellen Scotton, Tainá Schons, Silene Bazi Ribeiro, M. Caldieraro, A. R. Rosa
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Claims (6)
Shining a specific kind of infrared light on the heads of stressed rats makes more nitric oxide in a brain area called the hippocampus, which might help improve blood flow and energy production in their brain cells.
Shining specific colors of light on the heads of stressed rats helps them enjoy sweet water more again, making them act more like happy, unstressed rats.
Red light therapy may help hair follicles work better by giving them more energy and reducing harmful stress, which could keep hair healthier.
Shining a specific kind of infrared light on the heads of stressed rats helps their brain cells produce more energy, bringing their energy levels back up to normal, like in rats that aren't stressed.
Shining a specific red light on the heads of stressed rats helps lower a marker of cell damage in their blood, making it look like the blood of rats that aren't stressed at all.