Roscoe discovered red light therapy on Thursday.

By Friday, our Iron Intern had zip-tied four panels, a reptile heat lamp, and what looked suspiciously like a stolen Spirit Halloween decoration into a glowing booth in the supply closet.

On the door: “Do not disturb. GainZ in progress Bro.”

I asked why he needed the reptile lamp.

“Dr Mike, I have a hypothesis. Where’s the heavy stuff?”

His hypothesis?

If a little red light helps recovery, three hours inside his homemade raccoon toaster should make him recover from workouts he hasn’t even done yet.

Maybe knock out some soreness left over from 2019?

He emerged warm, faintly glowing, with a singed whisker courtesy of the heat lamp and the confidence of a raccoon who had just reinvented the mitochondrion....or something .

The next morning? Not noticeably more jacked. Not magically recovered and said he felt worse.
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Plus the power bill made Jodie’s eye twitch.

Classic Roscoe: if a little is good, a lot must be magnificent.

That is how you turn an interesting intervention into an expensive problem.

So Is Red Light Legit, Or Raccoon Nonsense?

Red light therapy—the science-y name is photobiomodulation—has genuinely interesting research behind some recovery and performance outcomes.

But “there may be a useful effect at a particular dose” is a very different claim from “bathe in photons until your mitochondria are hyoooooge Bro”

Wavelength, dose, timing, body area, and the actual device matter. More exposure does not automatically buy more benefit, and some data says it is worse.

Meanwhile, the marketing circus would have you believe one panel can fix your recovery, regrow your hairline, reverse aging, and somehow improve your dating life. I’m shocked it doesn’t come with a free timeshare in central Australia.

There is signal here. There is also a metric ton of red-tinted nonsense.

Why It Is A Bonus—Not A Fifth Pillar

The Phys Flex Cert is built around four physiologic regulators: temperature, pH, fuel, and breathing.

Red light is a potentially useful tool alongside that work—not a magical fifth regulator.

And I wasn’t about to cram the entire topic into a twenty-minute video, wave my hands, and call it science.

So I spent close to a year building a six-part Red Light Therapy masterclass, originally for Dr. Andy Galpin and Dan Garner at Biomolecular Athlete.

Hundreds of studies reviewed. Mechanisms, performance and recovery, practical application—and the uncomfortable question of what is actually worth your money. Don't worry, I condemned the studies to just a few key ones.

It has never been sold separately. And I’m including the entire series free when you enroll in the Phys Flex Cert before enrollment closes Monday night.

There is also a more manageable payment plan at checkout.

>> Phys Flex Certification << closes Mon at midnight

Enrollment closes Monday, October 19, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. The Phys Flex Cert will not reopen until 2027.

Roscoe bought a heat lamp. You can learn how to evaluate the actual evidence.

Much love and appropriately dosed photons,

Dr Mike

P.S. Roscoe is fine. The whisker should grow back. I think. He is now explaining why one good sauna session means he should simply move into a sauna permanently. I’ll confiscate the extension cords. You get the science: Phys Flex Certification​

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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.

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