Red Light Therapy for Stress Relief & Mental Health

Infralight Recovery

Blogs

Red Light Therapy for Stress Relief & Mental Health

Written by Infralight Team

Published on January 18, 2025

Stress seems to be an inevitable part of modern life. Seriously, who ISN'T stressed these days? Most people exist in a state of exhaustion because of work, responsibilities and that never ending to do list. We all know the essential wellness steps we should be doing each day like proper eating and getting enough rest, but sometimes that brief bit of breathwork and 10 minute meditation just doesn't cut it. Red Light Therapy (RLT) has emerged as a promising solution that's stolen the spotlight as a game changer for modern mental health. Read on to learn how you can upgrade your wellness with RLT.

Title

What Stress is, Exactly:

We talk about stress like it's nothing. Stress isn’t just a “ugh, I’m overwhelmed” feeling. It’s your body going CODE RED, a reaction to ongoing pressure. Cortisol floods your system, your brain is on edge, and if it continues (chronic stress) your body feels like it's running on an empty fuel tank.

So, this chronic stress thing? It messes you up big time, it can affect:

- Your emotional state (major mood swings)

- Your immune system tanks (hello, random colds)

- Your sleep (or lack of it)

- Your brain (foggy thinking, poor memory)

- Your energy (tired all the time but can't relax)

Chronic stress damages your brain chemistry, potentially permenantly. Red Light Therapy works as a tool in your arsenal to help prevent this.

How Does RLT Work?

The core principle of RLT involves applying low-intensity red or near-infrared (NIR) light to the human body. The light passes through skin layers to supply energy to cells where it fuels the mitochondria. Photobiomodulation is the process where cells receive benefits from light exposure. People use RLT for a range of benefits, both for physcial and mental health and there's plenty of research that's proven this process helps both physical healing and mental operations. What's in it for your brain?

Energizes Your Cells: Red Light Therapy helps your cells pump out more ATP (Adenosine triphosphate - the stuff that fuels everything your body does).

Reduces Inflammation: Stress and mental health issues are tied to inflammation, and RLT helps cool things down.

Boosts Neurotransmitters: More “happy” chemicals like serotonin and dopamine are produced.

Balances Cortisol: Helps prevent and keep your stress hormones from going through the roof.

A 2024 meta analysis in Frontiers in Psychiatry demonstrated that photobiomodulation/light therapy decreased depressive symptoms and enhanced sleep and mood regulation. The mental health advantages of Red Light Therapy have received support from multiple research studies.

Save up to 40% with our storewide sale today

Shop Now

The Mental Health Advantages of Red Light Therapy:

1. Calms the Mind & Lowers Stress

Who doesn't want to be stressed less? Studies have shown that using red or NIR light to on specifics areas including the forehead and scalp increases both blood flow and oxygenation to the brain. The treatment produces two beneficial effects by reducing tension while creating mental calmness.

✔ Less cortisol
✔ More mental clarity
✔ A more balanced emotional state

A 2022 study in Lasers in Medical Science showed a huge reduction in serum cortisol levels - the number 1 biomarker for stress.

2. Improves Sleep (Like, Actually)

Do you face difficulties both in falling asleep and in staying asleep throughout the night? RLT enables your body clock to function properly and boosts melatonin production (the sleep hormone) which results in better sleep quality and duration.

✔ Deeper, more restful sleep
✔ Fewer random late night wakeups
✔ A healthier sleep/wake cyle

A Nature & Science of Sleep study (2019) discovered that participants who used RLT before bedtime achieved superior sleep quality together with extended rest duration, along with less grogginess after waking up.

3. Clears Brain Fog

When your mental processes become slow or you lose track of why you entered a room - don't worry, you're not alone - you join millions of people who experience this same issue. RLT delivers improved brain oxygenation and energy levels which power up brain cells for peak performance.

✔ Sharper focus
✔ Improved memory
✔ More productive thinking

A meta analysis in Lasers in Medical Science showed that red light therapy improved both reaction speed and cognitive function among adult subjects. The study and clinical trials showed actual measurable changes, not just placebo.

4. Lifts Mood and Fights the Blues

RLT has demonstrated potential in treating depression symptoms through its ability to increase the production of the feel good chemicals (serotonin & dopamine) which maintain emotional balance. That means it’s not just about “not feeling sad,” but actually bouncing back when life tries to knock you down.

✔ Boosts serotonin and dopamine (your brain’s natural mood boosters)
✔ Eases & alleviates depressive symptoms
✔ Supports emotional resilience, especially in winter months (goodbye seasonal depression)

A study in Behavioral and Brain Functions (2009) saw a highly significant drop in anxiety and depression symptoms 2-4 weeks after undergoing Red Light Therapy.

How to use Red Light Therapy to Boost Mental Health:

Consistency is key, Don't expect miracles after a singular session. You can expect to achieve maximum results with red light therapy through consistent and regular use. A few standard sessions each week are enough to make a significant difference.

- Session time: 10–20 minutes
- Frequency: 3–5 days per week
- Target areas: Face, forehead, or full body treatments

When should you use it? Get some red light in the morning for an energy boost that'll help pick you up, or at night to help relax the mind and fall asleep quicker. But to be honest, there's no "ideal' time for red light therapy, you're still going to experience the benefits no matter when you use it.

Pro tip: Treat it like a regular self care routine. Stay with it for a while, and you’ll start to notice the difference.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

Short answer; absolutely. RLT offers a scientifically supported natural approach to enhance mental wellbeing, while improving sleep and concentration and grounding your emotions - all without sketchy side effects of medication or ongoing costs. Just remember, the effects kick in when you stick with it, not if you try it once and forget about it.

✔ Scientifically supported
✔ Natural, non invasive
✔ Helps with sleep, mood, focus, and emotional balance

Curious to try it out? Our selection of high quality Red Light Therapy Devices will help you to begin your journey towards improved mental clarity, less stress, and emotional wellbeing.

Save up to 40% with our storewide sale today

Shop Now

Note: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment.

Expert Craftmanship.

Unmatched Quality.

At Infralight Recovery, we’re committed to delivering the highest quality red light therapy panels and recovery products. Built with premium materials and advanced LEDs, our panels emit powerful and consistent light to deliver ultra-effective results. Designed for durability and ease of use, each panel features a sleek, modern design with user-friendly controls. Rigorous and continuous testing ensures safety and reliability, giving you professional-grade equipment you can trust.

Experience the difference today with Infralight Recovery.

Item added to your cart

Infralight Recovery