How Light Can Help in Preventing and Managing Dementia

Dementia is a complex condition with life-changing implications. It can rob years of a person’s life and interfere with valuable life experiences. However, new advances in brain-based therapies may offer relief. Cutting-edge research on Transcranial Near Infrared Light (tNIR) brings new hope in preventing and managing dementia long-term.

tNIR is a therapy that involves using specific frequencies of light to help maintain and heal brain tissue. Specific frequencies of near infrared light can travel through the skull and blood brain barrier, delivering a “boost” to brain function. This can increase the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain, as well as improving mitochondrial function. This powerful combination can protect the brain from the neurodegeneration that leads to dementia and may even restore some brain function affected by dementia. This potential isn’t just theoretical, real-world studies are delivering promising results.

A 2021 study published by Aging and Disease demonstrated the positive impact tNIR can have on dementia patients. After just 6 minutes of tNIR twice a day for eight weeks, dementia patients showed marked improvements in logical memory tests and auditory listening tests. Caregivers reported that participants seemed to have improved mood and energy after just two weeks of tNIR, with participants reporting better sleep after just one week of tNIR.

While more research is needed to fully understand the long-term benefits of red light therapy, preliminary studies have demonstrated that near red light therapy can be a safe and effective tool in managing and preventing dementia. If you or someone you know is struggling with cognitive decline or memory loss, talk to us at Mind Body Neuro about whether near red light therapy may be a good fit. We have several types of red light and infrared light we utilize.