How To Use Low Level Light Therapy and Intranasal Light Therapy For Athletic Performance, Cognitive Enhancement & More.

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Biohacking, Podcast

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Several weeks ago, in the article, The Ultimate Guide To Using Light To Biohack Your Circadian Rhythms, Sleep Better & Beat Jet Lag Forever, I told you about an in-ear light phototherapy device called “The Human Charger“, which I've been experimenting with for everything from jet lag to a burst of pre-workout wakefulness.

Then, in the article, Pink Makes You Docile, Orange Makes You Buy Stuff, Red Makes You Mad: How To Use Color Light Therapy For Mood, Cognition, Healing & More, I taught you how to use something called chromotherapy to change your mood, deal with insomnia, or even treat a variety of health issues.

Finally, several days ago (probably because it appears I've lately been obsessed with light biohacks) one of my friends mentioned the word “photomedicine” to me.

This word photomedicine was a new term in my vernacular, but when I looked into it, I found that intranasal light therapy, which is literally light stimulation of blood capillaries in the nasal cavity, has been used for the past couple decades as a very non-invasive method to introduce therapeutic light energy into the human body, and there's actually a surprising amount of research on this form of nonionizing radiation on biological systems, including effects on cognitive performance, fighting free radicals, combatting Alzheimer's symptoms and more.

So for today's podcast, I hunted down an expert in photomedicine, also known as photobiomodulation (PBM), or low level light therapy. His name is Dr. Lew Lim, and Dr. Lim is the co-inventor of a wearable, intranasal light therapy device designed for home-use called the “Vielight”.

Dr. Lim is a Doctor of Naturopathy, has a Graduate Engineering Diploma, a MBA, and is a Chartered Accountant. He is also certified in Medical Neuroscience, Neurobiology and Human Physiology. He has obtained qualifications from University of California at Berkeley, Duke University, University of Chicago and University of Sheffield, UK and collaborates with Harvard Medical School and Boston University in research relating to the field of photobiomodulation.

During our discussion, you'll discover:

-Why any athlete should pay close attention to the emerging field of photomedicine, particularly low level light therapy…

-Why the FDA has approved infrared therapy for everything from eliminating microbes and fungus in the human body to killing cancer cells…

-What happens to your cells (and specifically to your nitric oxide production) when your cells get exposed to low level light therapy…

-How to use intranasal light therapy as a way to “charge up your brain” prior to mentally demanding tasks…

-A biohack that combines red light therapy and infrared light therapy…

-Exactly when, how and how long to use low level light therapy and intranasal light therapy for everything from brain stimulation to sleep…

-And much more!

Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.

Resources from this episode:

-The HumanCharger (10% discount code is “BENG10HC”)

Vielight (10% discount code is “GREENFIELD”)

Lew's free, upcoming “World Summit of Integrative Medicine”

Applications of Intranasal Low Intensity Laser Therapy in Sports Medicine

Superpulsed Low-Level Laser Therapy Protects Skeletal Muscle of mdx Mice Against Damage, Inflammation and Morphological Changes Delaying Dystrophy Progression

Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Development of Exercise-Induced Skeletal Muscle Fatigue and Changes in Biochemical Markers Related to Postexercise Recovery

Do you have questions, comments or feedback about Vielight, intranasal light therapy or anything else we discuss on this episode? Leave your thoughts below!

Ask Ben a Podcast Question

61 thoughts on “How To Use Low Level Light Therapy and Intranasal Light Therapy For Athletic Performance, Cognitive Enhancement & More.

  1. Donna says:

    Can you use the low level laser therapy if you have cancer? if not, why? And can it reduce blood pressure?

    1. Low-Level Laser Therapy Stimulates Proliferation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells and has to be used with caution in HNSCC patients .
      Link:
      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6122283/

  2. Ellen says:

    Ireally enjoyed the podcast. I think I will be a regular listener from now.

  3. Mitch Moreman says:

    Hello, do you know of any light or laser therapy for hearing loss to regrow inner hear cells? thanks

  4. Ralp says:

    I have been using Vielight 633 and the 810 twice daily for the last six months and unfortunately I have not seen any noticeable difference in my health. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia about 10 years ago at the age of 58 (believe I have had it for last 40 years) and after trying all the approved, non-approved and combination of them , absolutely nothing work.

    In my opinion this doesn’t seem to be a viable treatment for Fibromyalgia but neither does anything else….On to the guaifenesin protocol.

    1. Meital James says:

      I would highly recommend that you try infrared light therapy to detox your entire body, especially an infrared sauna.

    2. Francis says:

      Was thinking of strong red light therapy for your condition especially the deep penetrating devices.
      I myself have heel pain from my driving loading and unloading it is only red light therapy and PEMF that cured my condition without seeing a doctor

  5. Heidi Sell says:

    My father has Alzheimers/Dementia. We are looking for anything to help restore his memory or at least slow his memory loss. He is physically fit and if not for the Dementia, he is in perfect health. Desperately looking for something we can do to improve his brain function and memory loss.

    1. Hi Heidi. I have quite a few resources I hope will help: https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/podcast/brain-po… , http://www.aging-us.com/article/100981/text, healing with light: https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/podcast/biohacki… , enhancing cognitive performace: https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/article/brain-ar…

      Hope this helps!

      Of course you can always schedule a consult with me and we can take a deeper dive: https://greenfieldfitnesssystems.com/ben-greenfie…

    2. Gaylord Brubaker says:

      2015 my wife developed vascular dementia. January 2018 she started using our new Alpha, 10 Hz vielight and nose applicator. She showed improvement, by my observations. After about 6 months, she simply refused to continue this light therapy. Early in her disease she lost her ability to form words. No matter how much I tried to get her to continue, she refused. And just recently her neurologist said she had stabilized.
      So I believe this light works. And I thoroughly researched this light. I believe the research concludes that the Gamma light is best for alzheimers.

    3. Francis says:

      yes actually there is an alternative device that can be used to help memory loss and dementia. Infrared light therapy works wonders for all kinds of ailments.

  6. lara says:

    Hi Ben

    I suffer from insomnia and wonder if a intranasal unit could help for this. If so which unit would be best.

    1. There's a growing body of research which supports using Intranasel for treating insomnia. I recommend Vielight! BenGreenfieldFitness.com/vielight

  7. John says:

    I just purchased the Vie Light Neuro Alpha, Used your Greenfield coupon for 10% off. Makes it a tad less expensive. Thank you.

    Is their a benefit to also using the Vielight 633 intra nasal unit for systemic immune system therapy?

    Thank you,

    John

    1. Yep, it works quite well for that.

    2. Marie says:

      What do you think of your personal results using the device? I want to make sure I buy the correct device and not a Knock off. I haven’t seen any great reviews yet.
      I wish someone tested there Blood before and after then we would all really know.

  8. Marianne Couperthwaite says:

    Would the vielight affect seizures?

  9. NPreston says:

    Would you please give us an update on Vielight? Are you still using it?

    1. Yes! I use once every two days (the Neuro model) and swear by it!

      1. Jean says:

        We purchased the Neuro from you a couple of months ago for my mother in law with Alzheimer’s.

        We have been using it almost everyday for a month month. How many times a day can we use it on her? How many hours apart?

        Thx

  10. Stephen Eck says:

    My best friend was poisoned by CO at work by a bad chimney that clogged up. Since 12-11-2006 she has had very bad head pain in the left and right frontal areas of her head. Do you think the Intranasal Low Level Laser would help her ? Thank You Much For Your Time

    1. I am not a doctor and this is not to be taken, interpreted or construed as medical advice. Please talk with a licensed medical professional about this. These are just my own personal thoughts and not a prescription or a diagnosis or any form of health care whatsoever. However, the Vielight Neuro may be right up her alley…

  11. Michelle says:

    Ben,

    Is the VieLight Neuro to Human Charger comparison another apples to oranges contrast? I have been wanting to try LLT for my thyroid (Hashimoto’s) and M.S., but the VieLight has a hefty price tag! Wondering if Human Charger would have benefit? Thoughts?

    Much Thanks!

    1. Yep, apples to oranges. Different wavelengths for different purposes. Charger for circadian rhythm, Neuro for enhancing blood flow/mitochondrial health in neural tissue.

  12. BozeMan says:

    Yeah, the cognitive effects are gonna be stellar. Going to see if I can get my parents using this if for no other reason than that.

    Can you spell out for me what you mean by “definite increase in vascularity overall”? You’ve addressed “gym dick” in other posts. I’m wondering if the NO release could cause an increase in general “hang” (or semis) or if it’s only noticed when erections are involved. Either way sounds great as I’ve been working with a lot of MD/NDs to figure out why (as, mechanically speaking, all’s functioning)I can get good flow (hanging soft or getting hard) when using Viagra/etc, but don’t see that kind of vascularity show up on any day-to-day. Not looking for this device to be a cure, but I’d be stoked to have a helpful natural supplement to what I’m already doing.

    1. Dan Guzman says:

      Light therapy is a great way to inspire the body to heal & develop. I use a 11 watt L.E.D. Grow Plant light I got at a building supply store a company called Tao has great lights, near infrared heat lamps used in bathrooms penetrates deeper than any infrared source. The Warp10 L.E.D. tool I own was expensive & only half a watt strong. do research.

  13. BozeMan says:

    It’s mentioned in here that the Vielight can act like Viagra for the brain…does that freeing-up of NO extend further south as well? I’m always a fan of increased vasodilation!

    1. Yep it gives a full body effect

      1. BozeMan says:

        RIGHT ON. That sounds great, man. Any chance you could respond to me in an email (or on here, if you’re game) with more details of what results you’ve seen? I’m wondering if you’ve noticed anything in the – for the sake of being G-rated – southern hemisphere. Specifically, are we talking increased vasodilation on a mild general scale or significant flow increase at times? And is this within a certain time window (e.g. within an hour of device usage) or just noticeable across the board?

        This is super helpful info, man. I’m young enough (your age, I assume) to where vasodilation shouldn’t be a concern, but I’m in a spot where I’m looking for any natural ways to increase it (while simultaneously looking into hormones, etc). Thanks for being a resource.

        1. I've noticed specifically:

          -Better sleep
          -Better focus, especially when used pre workout
          -Less "fuzziness" in the morning

          No HUGE increase in drive, but a definite increase in vascularity overall. And then there's the peace of mind that I'm using one of the most potent anti-Alzheimer's remedies science can offer.

      2. Tony says:

        Do you use the Alpha or Gamma model? Thanks.

  14. Lucy says:

    How would you compare the cleansing and healing benefits of the Vielight 633 or 655 devices compared to the Biomats you have discussed previously?

    1. Night and day. Biomat is a different wavelength of far infrared designed for detox/healing/relaxation and grounding/earthing, whereas the Vielight is more for nitric oxide/mitochondria. I personally use BOTH.

  15. Lee says:

    I realise companies’ have a very high expense bringing a device to the market, and I appreciate them bringing such innovation to the public, however I do think these devices are hugely overpriced. They are LEDs, some simple microcircuitry and a power source. The science behind them is freely available on Pubmed. You can build these devices for 10s of dollars at home if you have amateur electronics skills.

    Happy to be told I am wrong by the makers and understand if they have advanced and proprietary tech in their devices.

  16. Tonya says:

    If you were able to spring for one or the other, why might one pick the Vielight or why would one pick the Halo? Thanks!

    1. Apples and oranges. Vielight is more alpha brain wave stimulation. Halo is more for pre-exercise stimulation of motor cortex. If it's about exercise, then Halo is better. Vielight better for sleep or academic performance, etc. I use both.

      1. Anthony says:

        Do you notice the changes Ben?

          1. Steve says:

            I have a Vielight Neuro. I use it, with the headgear, three days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). I then use the Vielight without the headgear (i.e., just the inter-nasal attachment) on the other days. Is this a similar protocol you follow? I’m toying with the idea of using the Neuro with the headgear attachment Monday through Friday, but have read contradictory information suggesting to not use it daily. What are your thoughts and opinions?

          2. I WOULDN'T use it daily. Only every 48 hours so you don't create excessive free radicals.

          3. John says:

            Hi Ben,

            Not sure if my other comment came through. If this is a duplicate, please disregard. I’m seeking clarification on what you wrote above in the podcast summary to what you’re commenting on now here.

            Above you say:

            This word photomedicine was a new term in my vernacular, but when I looked into it, I found that intranasal light therapy, which is literally light stimulation of blood capillaries in the nasal cavity, has been used for the past couple decades as a very non-invasive method to introduce therapeutic light energy into the human body, and there’s actually a surprising amount of research on this form of nonionizing radiation on biological systems, including effects on cognitive performance, fighting free radicals, combatting Alzheimer’s symptoms and more.

            and in reply to Steve you suggest not to use it daily so as to not create Free Radicals. Does that mean that excessive use creates free radicals, while minimal use combats it? Can you explain further?

            Thanks,

            John

          4. Yep, you are 100% correct. Excessive use creates free radicals, but limited use creates a hormetic response, blood flow, nitric oxide production, etc.

          5. John says:

            Thanks for your quick response. Is the dosage or recommended usage outlined in the user manual?

            Cheers!!

  17. TrickiDicki says:

    Interesting to hear the remarks about infrared treatment for male pattern baldness. Of course there is a more 'available' IR light source – the sun. So presumably baldness should be cureable by just taking your hat off and getting some rays and saving yourself the money.

  18. TrickiDicki says:

    $300 for a $2 LED sounds like a big chunk o' mark-up. Has anyone got DIY schematics?

  19. thewildspirit says:

    Did Dr Lew say that he was working with Harvard on research to CREATE superbugs? I actually rewound to hear that again and check that I had heard correctly. That doesn't sound good.

  20. kenzcull says:

    Hey Ben
    I was wondering what your take was on this article featured on paleoleap.com http://rawfoodsos.com/2015/10/06/in-defense-of-lo…
    It showed the benefits of not only a ketogenic diet but that of an extremely fat restricted diet (under 10% of calories) that optimised carbohydrate use. Could this be another potential biohack. Carbosis vs Ketosis?

    Thanks
    Mackenzie

    1. Mackenzie this would be a great question for the podcast – can you call it in? Speakpipe.com/bengreenfield

    2. Denise is coming on my podcast soon to discuss this. Stay tuned.

      1. kenzcull says:

        Awesome! Keep up the great work!Thanks Mackenzie

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