Why Do You Zone Out Into a Meditative State During Red Light Therapy?

If you’ve ever found yourself slipping into a dreamy, meditative state while lying in a red light therapy (RLT) bed, you’re not alone. Many people describe their sessions as deeply calming, even saying it feels like meditating without trying. But why does this happen? The answer lies in the unique way red light works with both the body and the brain.

The Science Behind the Calm

Light that promotes relaxation
Red and near-infrared light gently support your circadian rhythm and melatonin production, which is the same hormone that prepares you for deep, restful sleep. This natural effect nudges your body toward a state of calm and recovery quite quickly and you find yourself in a deep state of conscious relaxation.

Shifting the Nervous System
Most of us spend much of our day in “fight or flight” mode, constantly switched on by stress, stimulation in the world around us, and elevated cortisol levels. Red Light Therapy supports a shift into the parasympathetic nervous system, often called “rest and digest.” This state allows the body to release tension, restore balance, and improve recovery.

Research also shows this calming effect influences the gut–brain axis which is the communication pathway between your nervous system and digestive system. This calming effect helps your body process food more efficiently, relieving bloating and supporting overall digestive health.

The stillness effect
Unlike the constant noise we experience in the environment we live in, RLT sessions give you permission to simply be still. Add the gentle warmth of the lights, the aesthetic clam environment at Red Light Therapy Melbourne and you’ve got the perfect conditions for your mind to drift inward, just like it does when you meditate.

Endorphin boost
RLT improves circulation and can trigger the release of endorphins, your body’s natural feel-good chemicals. This not only eases stress but also leaves you with that floaty, blissful sensation people often compare to mindfulness or breathwork.

A sensory reset
We spend so much time exposed to blue light from phones and computers that the soothing red and near-infrared spectrum is a total reset for the eyes and brain. This calming environment makes it easy for your mind to unplug and rejuvenate.

Supporting Studies:

• A clinical trial in Modulation of the autonomic nervous system by one session of spinal low-level laser therapy showed that a single session of red/infrared LED light (660-nm & 840-nm) applied to the lumbar and sacral spine significantly increased parasympathetic tone, measured via HRV (heart rate variability). Red Light study
• Another study, Effects of Red and Blue Light on the Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System, found improvements in several HRV (variation in time between heartbeats ) parameters under red light exposure, suggesting enhanced autonomic balance. Effects of Red Light on the heart
• A review article, A Comprehensive Overview of the Neural Mechanisms of Light Therapy, discusses how red to near-infrared wavelengths act on mitochondrial function and neural circuits, helping reduce sympathetic arousal and support sleep, mood, and stress regulation. Red Light and Mitochondrial function

More Than Just Recovery

Red light therapy is a powerful tool for pain relief, skin rejuvenation, muscle recovery, joint health, energy, and sleep, but it’s also a way to tap into deep mental relaxation that your brain needs to function optimally. Many clients leave a session not just physically recharged but mentally clearer, as if they’ve had 20 minutes of guided meditation.

So next time you zone out in an RLT bed, embrace it. It’s your body and brain working together to restore balance, heal, and reset.  And if you have not yet felt this deep state of relaxation, book in NOW on the link above at Red Light Therapy Melbourne in Canterbury and experience it for yourself.