Anxiety & Depression
How does RLT help?
A recent review of all existing studies with red/near-infrared light therapy (RLT) on anxiety and depression disorders demonstrates that RLT offers a "promising treatment" for major depressive disorder, anxiety, suicidal ideation, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Some of the proposed mechanisms by which RLT can help are by boosting mitochondrial health, improving blood flow to the brain, reducing inflammation and reactive oxygen species, improving anti-oxidant systems, enhancing neural growth factors and improving neuronal energy levels.
How does this improve my
health & wellness?
There are several accredited theories as to the pathophysiology of depression and anxiety:
Neurotransmitter imbalance (the monoamine-deficiency hypothesis proposes that depression results as a consequence of an imbalance and deficiency in serotonin, dopamine, & noradrenaline in the central nervous system [CNS]; imbalance of GABA, leading to over- or under-activation and atrophy of neurons)
Decreased cerebral blood flow (low levels of nitric oxide, leading to decreased oxygen and metabolic needs to different areas of the brain, especially the frontal lobe)
Decreased energy (reduced glucose levels and mitochondrial dysfunction)
Oxidative stress (overproduction of free radicals [i.e. dysfunctional mitochondria] or antioxidant deficiency)
Neuroinflammation (increased cytokine levels released by macrophages could be accompanied by depression)
Impaired neurogenesis (i.e., ability to regenerate and/or grow nerves/neurons; reduced growth factors, such as nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor).
Transcranial RLT (i.e. through the skull) increases regional blood flow in the brain in depressed individuals while also augmenting cerebral energy metabolism in healthy people. It is the increased energy levels in the brain coupled with the enhanced blood flow that potentially contribute to recovery in mood disorders.
Several studies have suggested that depression is associated with abnormalities of frontal activation reflected in abnormalities in frontal regional cerebral blood flow. We know that RLT induces an increased release of nitric oxide (NO), a vasodilator, into the bloodstream that would help improve circulation to areas irradiated by red and NIR light. This has also been demonstrated in other research, such as in the hands of patients with Raynaud's phenomenon, in skin flaps, in healthy skin and many others.
NIR can induce short bursts of reactive oxygen species leading to the activation of antioxidant mechanisms resulting in reduction of oxidative stress. Anti-inflammatory effects have also been demonstrated with NIR.
RLT also stimulates neurogenesis and protects against cell death. Animal research has shown that NIR improves neurogenesis and synaptogenesis, via increase of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.
Neural tissue is very rich in mitochondria, which contains cytochrome c oxidase (CCO). It so happens that CCO can readily absorb light in the red/NIR light spectrum and it is by this mechanism that RLT plays such a vital role in overall mitochondrial health and efficiency. Since the brain is so dense with mitochondria, it has enormous potential to achieve therapeutic benefits via RLT.
The transcranial photobiomodulation (t-PBM) technique is a promising approach for the treatment of a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders, including disorders characterized by poor regulation of emotion such as major depressive disorder (MDD). The t-PBM technique directs light, typically NIR, to the brain through the skull. NIR is utilized because it penetrates deeper compared to red light.
Currently, there are a wide range of t-PBM clinical trials, including those targeting MDD, generalized anxiety disorder, dementia, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What does the research show?
"NIR t-PBM reversed the anxiety and depression status caused by chronic stress that was probably linked to increased 5-HT (serotonin) and decreased NO (nitric oxide) levels in the both prefrontal cortex and hippocampal areas." (1)
"Using transcranial LED therapy, a significant decrease in PTSD scores and depression levels have been reported after 1 week of treatment, while result of 2 months post-treatment did not show an overall linear trend response." (2)
The first study in MDD (major depressive disorder) patients showed that a single session of LED therapy alleviated depression and anxiety symptoms (Hamilton scales) at 2 weeks post-irradiation. At the end of four weeks, 6 out of 10 patients experienced a remission in their depression and 7 out of 10 patients experienced remission of their anxiety. (3)
"The proposed illumination strategies inform the design of t-PBM systems likely to improve brain emotion regulation, both in clinical research and practice.” (4)
**While the current scientific research seems to indicate many positive benefits of RLT in relation to anxiety and depressive disorders, there is still an appreciable necessity for more extensive research to be conducted, including double-blind RCT (randomized controlled trials), to provide a more comprehensive, robust overview that will further elucidate the optimal parameters and appropriate uses of RLT, which will ultimately lead the most safe and efficacious uses for individuals dealing with anxiety and depressive disorders.