How Transcranial Photobiomodulation (tPBM) Helps the Brain
Let me explain how photobiomodulation (PBM) helps the brain. PBM is the newest moniker for low-level laser therapy and other forms of non-destructive, healing red light therapy in use today. Brain Laser aka Transcranial Photobiomodulation improves brain blood flow and energy production in the brain. Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson, DC demonstrates how safe this therapy is for brain health (see video below). The use of transcranial photobiomodulation can improve cognition, memory, depression, ability to focus, and help the brain heal after a concussion. This is just one of the advanced techniques used at Johnson Chiropractic Neurology & Nutrition and Michigan Brain Health for brain wellness
Many Health Conditions can Benefit From Transcranial Photobiomodulation (tPBM)
Hi everybody. Dr. Johnson here. You’re probably wondering what I’m doing. This is our robotic laser and laser is something that I’m going to talk to you about in just a second but I’m showing you this to prove to you that this is something that is very, very safe and does some amazing work at helping people heal from brain trauma. We use it a lot for our ADHD patients, for our closed concussion patients, and it helps improve blood supply especially to the frontal lobes, which is what I have it on right now, the prefrontal cortex.
“Photobiomodulation (PBM) describes the use of red or near-infrared light to stimulate, heal, regenerate, and protect tissue that has either been injured, is degenerating, or else is at risk of dying. One of the organ systems of the human body that is most necessary to life, and whose optimum functioning is most worried about by humankind in general, is the brain. The brain suffers from many different disorders that can be classified into three broad groupings: traumatic events (stroke, traumatic brain injury, and global ischemia), degenerative diseases (dementia, Alzheimer‘s, and Parkinson‘s), as well as psychiatric disorders (depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder). There is some evidence that all these seemingly diverse conditions can be beneficially affected by applying light to the head. There is even the possibility that PBM could be used for cognitive enhancement in normal healthy people. In this transcranial PBM (tPBM) application, near-infrared (NIR) light is often applied to the forehead because of the better penetration (no hair, longer wavelength).” Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5066074/
Shedding Light On The Topic of Transcranial Photobiomodulation (tPBM)
Dr. Johnson, have you lost it? You’re putting laser light in your brain? Seriously, is that safe? Well, I did the video just to prove to you that it is safe and it’s something that we do all the time for our patients. So, the laser is also known as transcranial photobiomodulation. Those words mean (trans) across the cranium, across the skull, (photo) photo or light, (modulation) modulating or impacting biology. And that’s important because the laser can be used to improve blood flow and by enhancing blood flow we can increase energy production in the brain itself.
Energy is Needed for Healing
Without energy, we can get into trouble when we’ve had a traumatic brain injury or when we have somebody that has depression or anxiety or issues where the brain has a hard time operating, even Alzheimer’s. So, we’re providing the brain additional energy through blood flow and there are no side effects to this at all. This has been studied extensively, it’s very, very safe.
It’s using light in very specific bandwidths and just so you realize this, the skull is translucent to the infrared spectrum. So even when you go outside and you walk in the sunlight about a little over half of the sun’s power output is in the infrared spectrum. And what happens is that actually goes through your skull and impacts your brain. This is 1 of the reasons that some people have their mood improved when they go out and they get a lot of sun so it’s very healthy. It’s very safe. We’re just specifically using bandwidths that have been studied and show they have a positive impact on brain function.
Health Conditions Helped with Transcranial Photobiomodulation
So, conditions that we help with this are traumatic brain injuries, post-concussion syndrome, depression, anxiety, attention deficit and I can use this with children or with adults, doesn’t matter. We’ll also use it in situations where we have memory issues, early-onset dementia, and the like and – oh and migraine headaches as well. It’s very, very important that we regulate blood flow there. So, our patients enjoy it, it’s very pleasant, you don’t feel anything when it’s occurring, and again it’s very, very safe and very effective.
So, I’m going to post some of the studies that we have so that you can do your own research but I just wanted to let you know that this is something that’s available here in Shelby Township, Michigan as part of our cutting-edge brain health program at Michigan Brain Health. I’ll talk to you next time.
Transcranial Photobiomodulation Resources:
- Shining light on the head: Photobiomodulation for brain disorders
- Review of transcranial photobiomodulation for major depressive disorder
- Improved cognitive function after transcranial, light-emitting diode treatments in chronic, traumatic brain injury: two case reports
Always remember one of my mantras., “The more you know about how your body works, the better you can take care of yourself.”
For more details about the natural approach I take with my patients, take a look at the book I wrote entitled: Reclaim Your Life; Your Guide To Revealing Your Body’s Life-Changing Secrets For Renewed Health. It is available in my office or at Amazon and many other book outlets. If you found value in this article, please use the social sharing icons at the bottom of this post, and please share with those you know who are still suffering from chronic health challenges, despite receiving medical management. Help me reach more people so they may regain their zest for living! Thank you!
