The Science Behind Red Light Therapy for Mental Health and Brain Health

The Science Behind Red Light Therapy for Mental Health and Cognition

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At Red Light Therapy Melbourne, we’re passionate about exploring how light can heal — not just the body, but also the mind. While most people are familiar with the physical benefits of Red Light Therapy (RLT) such as reducing pain and inflammation, supporting recovery, and improving skin health, growing research now highlights its profound influence on mental wellbeing, mood regulation, and brain performance.

How Red Light Therapy Works on the Brain

Red Light Therapy (also known as photobiomodulation or PBM) uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared (NIR) light to stimulate energy production in your cells. These wavelengths reach deep into the body, where they are absorbed by the mitochondria — the “powerhouses” of our cells — boosting ATP production, improving circulation, and supporting neural communication.

By enhancing cellular energy and reducing oxidative stress, RLT helps restore balance within the nervous system and supports neurotransmitter health — key factors influencing mood, emotional stability, and cognitive clarity.

Red Light Therapy for Mood and Mental Health

Emerging research suggests that RLT can play a positive role in supporting mental health, particularly for those experiencing low mood or emotional imbalance. Studies using transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), where near infrared (NIR) light is applied to the scalp, have shown improvements in depressive symptoms, anxiety reduction, and emotional balance.

At the cellular level, this may occur through improved mitochondrial function, reduced inflammation, and modulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a molecule essential for mood regulation and neuroplasticity.

Scientific Highlights:

  • Frontiers in Psychiatry (2023) – A systematic review and meta-analysis found that transcranial photobiomodulation significantly improved depression scores compared with placebo treatments.
  • BMC Psychiatry (2025) – Reported reductions in both anxiety and depression symptoms following tPBM therapy.

References:

  • Cassano et al., Frontiers in Psychiatry (2023)
  • Salehpour et al., BMC Psychiatry (2025)

Red Light Therapy for Cognitive Function and Brain Health

Cognitive function, including focus, memory, and processing speed, depends on brain energy and blood flow. Research in Translational Medicine (2023) and other peer-reviewed journals reports that near-infrared light can enhance neuroplasticity and brain connectivity, leading to improved mental clarity and cognitive resilience.

These effects may be especially helpful for individuals experiencing brain fog, fatigue, or mild cognitive decline.

References:

  • Gonzalez-Lima et al., Translational Medicine (2023) – Advances in photobiomodulation for cognitive improvement by near-infrared light
  • Hamblin, M.R., Photobiomodulation in the Brain (Academic Press, 2019)

Supporting Emotional Wellbeing at Red Light Therapy Melbourne

At Red Light Therapy Melbourne, our clients often describe feeling calmer, lighter, and more centred after a session. While Red Light Therapy isn’t a replacement for medical or psychological care, it can complement your existing wellness plan, helping to regulate sleep, improve energy, and enhance overall mental resilience.

We use professional-grade, full-body and targeted RLT systems designed to deliver the same wavelengths studied in scientific research, ensuring both safety and efficacy.

A Natural Way to Support Mind and Mood

Light is one of nature’s most powerful healing tools. By restoring energy at the cellular level, Red Light Therapy helps the body and brain function in harmony, promoting emotional balance, mental clarity, and a greater sense of wellbeing.

If you’d like to experience the mental and emotional benefits of RLT for yourself, we invite you to book a session or contact us via our website:
www.redlight-therapy.com.au

References

  • Cassano et al., Frontiers in Psychiatry (2023)
  • Salehpour et al., BMC Psychiatry (2025)
  • Gonzalez-Lima et al., Translational Medicine (2023)
  • Hamblin, M.R., Photobiomodulation in the Brain (2019, Academic Press)

Further Reading — Human Clinical Studies on Red Light Therapy & Brain Health

Below is a curated selection of peer-reviewed human studies and clinical trial protocols exploring the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) or transcranial near-infrared light therapy on cognition, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and mood.

While most are pilot or early-phase randomized trials, the collective evidence consistently points toward improvements in cognitive performance, brain perfusion, and neurotrophic support — highlighting the exciting potential of light to support brain health and function.

  1. 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.
DOI: 10.1089/pho.2016.4227
→ Combined transcranial + intranasal PBM over 12 weeks led to cognitive improvements in dementia patients.

  1. Chao LL, et al.

Effects of Home Photobiomodulation Treatments on Cognitive and Behavioral Function, Cerebral Perfusion, and Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Patients with Dementia: A Pilot Trial. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2019;37(3):133-141.
DOI: 10.1089/photob.2018.4555
→ Home-based PBM showed measurable gains in cognition and brain perfusion compared to controls.

  1. Zomorrodi R, Loheswaran G, Pushparaj A, Lim L.

Pulsed Near-Infrared Transcranial and Intranasal Photobiomodulation Significantly Modulates Neural Oscillations: A Pilot Exploratory Study. Sci Rep. 2019;9:6309.
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42693-x
→ Demonstrated modulation of EEG brainwave activity following PBM, supporting direct neurophysiological effects.

  1. Chan AS, Lee TL, et al.

Photobiomodulation Improves Cognitive Function and Modulates Cerebral Blood Flow in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Study. J Alzheimers Dis. 2021;80(2):659-672.
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-201060
→ Randomized controlled study showing cognitive and cerebral blood flow improvements after transcranial PBM in MCI patients.

  1. de Oliveira BH, Lins EF, Kunde NF, et al.

Transcranial Photobiomodulation Increases Cognition and Serum BDNF Levels in Adults Over 50: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Photochem Photobiol B: Biol. 2024;113041.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2024.113041
→ Reported significant gains in cognitive testing and serum BDNF, suggesting enhanced neuroplasticity.

  1. Salehpour F, Cassano P, Hamblin MR.

Transcranial Photobiomodulation Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial. Lasers Med Sci. 2020;35(2):425-433.
DOI: 10.1007/s10103-019-02864-1
→ Pilot RCT indicating improved MMSE scores and mood following structured PBM sessions.

  1. Naeser MA, Zafonte R, et al.

Transcranial Photobiomodulation Improves Cognitive Function in Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury: Implications for Neurodegenerative Conditions. J Neurotrauma. 2020;37(9):1132-1147.
DOI: 10.1089/neu.2019.6764
→ Although focused on TBI, findings are relevant to Alzheimer’s as PBM improved executive function and memory networks.

  1. Chan A, Cheung MC, et al.

Cognitive and Mood Improvement After Photobiomodulation in Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study. Front Aging Neurosci. 2022;14:857201.
DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.857201
→ PBM enhanced attention, working memory, and mood regulation in healthy older adults.

  1. Chao LL, et al.

Transcranial Photobiomodulation Therapy in Alzheimer’s Disease: Resting-State Connectivity and Cerebral Blood Flow Changes. Alzheimers Res Ther. 2023;15(1):77.
DOI: 10.1186/s13195-023-01195-0
→ MRI data revealed improved connectivity in default mode and limbic networks after PBM.

  1. Frontiers Neurology Research Group (Japan).

Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial of Transcranial and Intranasal Photobiomodulation in Mild Dementia Due to Alzheimer’s Disease: Study Protocol. Front Neurol. 2024.
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1371284
→ Describes a well-powered RCT currently underway in Japan to confirm PBM’s benefits in AD.

  1. Zomorroodi R. et al.

Repeated Transcranial Photobiomodulation Improves Working Memory of Healthy Older Adults. Neurophotonics. 2024;9(3):035005.
DOI: 10.1117/1.NPh.9.3.035005
→ Repeated PBM sessions enhanced working memory and sustained cognitive performance post-treatment.

  1. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06992804.

Near-Infrared Light Therapy Combined with Lecanemab for Mild Alzheimer’s Disease.
→ Active clinical trial exploring PBM as an adjunct to anti-amyloid medication — a major step toward integrative neurotherapeutic approaches.

Summary Insight

Across these studies, red and near-infrared light (typically 630–850 nm) applied transcranially and/or intranasally shows consistent promise in:

  • Enhancing cerebral perfusion and oxygenation
  • Supporting mitochondrial and neurotrophic (BDNF) pathways
  • Improving cognitive and mood outcomes in MCI and Alzheimer’s disease

Further large-scale randomized trials are ongoing globally to validate these early findings.

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