🚨 Red Light Therapy: What Actually Works (and What Doesn’t)


In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sit down with my good buddy Ari Whitten to talk all about red light therapy (photobiomodulation) and why it’s become so popular lately. We dig into how red and near-infrared light fits into an evolutionary sunlight context, why those wavelengths penetrate tissue differently, and how they can influence mitochondria, recovery, and performance.

Ari also breaks down the confusing part most people miss: device choice and dosing aren’t one-size-fits-all, and “more power” isn’t always better, especially for sensitive areas like facial skin and the eyes.

We also get into emerging research on sleep and melatonin (including intracellular melatonin), as well as practical considerations such as clothing and light penetration. Ari’s updated book, The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy (2.0), is out now.

​Red Light Therapy: What Actually Works (and What Doesn’t) << Details here

Episode Chapters:

  • 04:40 Catching Up Surf Talk
  • 07:34 Sunlight vs Red Light
  • 08:50 Photobiomodulation Basics
  • 11:04 Optical Window Explained
  • 15:41 Timing and Circadian Effects
  • 19:36 Sleep and Melatonin Links
  • 26:00 Clothing and Light Penetration
  • 27:36 Red Light for Eye Health
  • 29:48 Red Light for Eyesight
  • 30:47 Dose and Panel Pitfalls
  • 31:52 Deep vs Superficial Dosing
  • 35:02 Biphasic Response and Safety
  • 38:11 Heuristics for Panel Use
  • 40:46 Choosing the Right Device
  • 42:17 Optics Distance and Angles
  • 44:39 LED Density and Hot Spots
  • 46:47 Device Examples and Timing
  • 48:31 New Book and Wrap Up
  • 53:59 Host Outro and Disclaimer

If you prefer to watch the podcast, check it out below:

​Red Light Therapy: What Actually Works (and What Doesn’t) << YouTube

Much love,
Dr Mike

_____________________

Mike T Nelson CISSN, CSCS, MSME, PhD
Associate Professor, Carrick Institute
Owner, Extreme Human Performance, LLC
Editorial Board Member, STRONG Fitness Mag

Mike T Nelson is a PhD and not a physician or registered dietitian. The contents of this email should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem - nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician. Always consult your physician or qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health.

..

Dr Mike T Nelson

Creator of the Flex Diet Cert & Phys Flex Cert, CSCS, CISSN, Assoc Professor, kiteboarder, lifter of odd objects, metal music lover. >>>>Sign up to my daily FREE Fitness Insider newsletter below

Read more from Dr Mike T Nelson

Back in SPI today — wind is up, so it's time for another "Send It Sundays." Little tired, but stoked after giving my talk at the Sports Pharmacy Summit down in Fort Lauderdale. Huge shoutout to Sean Casey and the whole crew for putting on an epic event — y'all crushed it. Had a blast nerding out on HRV and Met Flex, and it was great connecting with so many of you there. Here's what went down this week Newsletters: Cold Water Immersion and Your GainZ: Cold plunges might feel hardcore, but...

Greetings from the Houston airport, Gate C-something, where I am wedged into a chair engineered by a person who has never sat down, surrounded by the ambient perfume of terminal Tex-Mex, and about to fly to Fort Lauderdale to present on HRV and Metabolic Flexibility at the Sports Pharmacy Conference tomorrow morning. The slides are done. The brain needs to cooperate. Which brings me to a story. A glorious, chaotic, extremely on-brand story about what happens when a PhD with no regard for...

Hola from the wind starved and dare I say - moderate temperature Texas coastline where the wind smells like salt, sunscreen, and the slowly evaporating dreams of tourists who underestimated the Gulf. South Padre Island. Again. Yes. Before you say anything — I know. Third email from this sandbar. But hear me out: the kiteboarding here is criminal in the best possible way, and somewhere between a 23-foot air and a bone-rattling kite-slam that rearranged several of my vertebrae in exciting new...