The effect of photobiomodulation on the brain during wakefulness and sleep

Abstract

Over the last seventy years or so, many previous studies have shown that photobiomodulation, the use of red to near infrared light on body tissues, can improve central and peripheral neuronal function and survival in both health and in disease. These improvements are thought to arise principally from an impact of photobiomodulation on mitochondrial and non-mitochondrial mechanisms in a range of different cell types, including neurones. This impact has downstream effects on many stimulatory and protective genes. An often-neglected feature of nearly all of these improvements is that they have been induced during the state of wakefulness. Recent studies have shown that when applied during the state of sleep, photobiomodulation can also be of benefit, but in a different way, by improving the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and the clearance of toxic waste-products from the brain. In this review, we consider the potential differential effects of photobiomodulation dependent on the state of arousal. We speculate that the effects of photobiomodulation is on different cells and systems depending on whether it is applied during wakefulness or sleep, that it may follow a circadian rhythm. We speculate further that the arousal-dependent photobiomodulation effects are mediated principally through a biophoton – ultra-weak light emission – network of communication and repair across the brain.

Photobiomodulation for Major Depressive Disorder: Linking Transcranial Infrared Light, Biophotons and Oxidative Stress

“…As mentioned above, the biophotons theory is based on the idea that living cells are capable of emitting light and such light energy can be used for intercellular communication 37 . This concept is not new, as it was first proposed more than a century ago 81 . The generation of biophotons is a complex phenomenon caused by an enzyme-catalyzed oxidation reaction that generates a molecule in an electronically excited state with a very short lifetime.…”

“…37 This concept is not new, as it was first proposed more than a century ago. 81 The generation of biophotons is a complex phenomenon caused by an enzyme-catalyzed oxidation reaction that generates a molecule in an electronically excited state with a very short lifetime. In the final step of that reaction, energy is released in a specific type of photon that has spectral distribution ranging from 200 to 950 nm.…”

“Optoanesthesia”: The Application of Transcranial Photobiomodulation to General Anesthesia

“…Considering that the tPBM photons are absorbed by mitochondrial CcO, and probably by other proposed photoreceptors as well, there may be no accumula-Open Journal of Anesthesiology tion of photons in the brain or the rest of the body. Notably, Moro et al speculated that biophotons may be involved in the mechanisms of tPBM [36]. If so, then there would be the issue of biophotons accumulation to be addressed.…”

“…Further, tPBM as an adjuvant treatment may facilitate the distribution of pharmacological anesthetics in the brain. Moro et al [36] speculated that PBM has an arousal-dependent effect. When PBM is applied during wakefulness, it stimulates neuronal function; boosts mitochondrial activity and gene expression; influences α, β, and γ, waves; improves neuronal survival; and enhances neuroprotection against distress and neurodegenerative diseases.…”

Molecularly generated light and its biomedical applications

“…The intrinsic light emission and auto-bioluminescence sometimes could be considered as biophotons [152] and ultraweak photon emission. [153] 5) In vivo photochemistry and photopharmacology.…”