22/04/2026
Red light therapy for an incurable brain disease?
This is getting interesting…🧠
Recent research is exploring how near-infrared red light therapy may help protect the brain from inflammation caused by repetitive head impacts - which is often linked to the incurable degenerative brain disease, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), most common in contact sports like rugby and boxing.
🔴 What is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)?
CTE is an incurable degenerative brain disease. Symptoms include confusion, memory loss, emotional instability, aggression and, eventually, trouble walking, speaking, swallowing and even breathing.
Doctors don't know how to slow its progression or cure the disease, so this research is critical.
Here’s the simplified science:
🔴 How red light therapy works
Near-infrared light passes through the skull and targets the mitochondria in brain cells, helping support energy production and reduce neuroinflammation.
🔴 What studies are seeing so far:
• Reduced brain inflammation in athletes using near-infrared light
• Improvements in memory and cognitive function
• Better focus and executive function
• Reduced symptoms linked to repetitive head impacts
• Potential protective effect against long-term damage
🔴 Ongoing Trials - Red Light Therapy and CTE
A larger U.S. Department of Defense-funded trial is now investigating the impacts on 300 individuals with persistent symptoms from traumatic brain injuries, including veterans and first responders
Important to note:
Research is still early. These studies are small and ongoing, and red light therapy is not a cure for CTE. But the early findings are promising, especially for athletes and those exposed to repeated head impacts.
We’re only just beginning to understand how red light therapy may support brain health, inflammation, and recovery.
