Best Time of Day for Red Light Therapy?

As the photobiomodulation research continues to evolve more questions are emerging about how to optimize the beneficial effects. One of these questions is on time of day.

Does it matter?

Scientists speculate that red light therapy may have a different effect on brain function depending on what state it is in, awake or asleep and that it may follow a circadian rhythm. In Shinhmar et al., 2022 found that photobiomodulation improves visual function more effectively when applied in the mornings compared to later in the day. Later in the day demonstrated no increase in cellular energy (ATP). It seems that as the the effect of photobiomodulation on mitochondrial function becomes less as the day passes; The photobiomodulation impact on other cellular structures may become more pronounced in the evening.

Although there haven’t been many studies on the impact of red light therapy on the brain while we sleep it may help in improving the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and clearance of waste from the brain.

More research is needed but the current research does seem to suggest more benefits in the morning.

When do you do your red light therapy? Any plans to change your routine if you were previously using it in the evening?

Tracy