Sunlight and NIR Pass Through the Body and Can Affect Distant Cells

Summary

This video discusses the effects of infrared light, specifically at 850 nm, on mitochondrial function and its potential to improve conditions like color blindness. The research highlights how infrared light exposure can enhance the function of cones in the eyes, helping individuals with red and blue light deficiencies. It also explores the systemic benefits of infrared light through mitochondrial activation and the abscopal effect. The video emphasizes the importance of sunlight and the emerging field of photobiomodulation, suggesting significant health benefits from natural light exposure, especially in an environment increasingly deprived of infrared wavelengths.

Takeaways

• 😀 Infrared light (850 nm) can enhance mitochondrial function and ATP production, potentially improving color vision in individuals with color deficiencies.
• 😀 Protanopia (red color blindness) and Tritanopia (blue color blindness) were the primary focus of the study regarding the effect of infrared light exposure.
• 😀 People with protanopia who received infrared light on both the head and body saw a significant improvement in their ability to distinguish colors.
• 😀 In tritanopia, the group exposed to infrared light on both head and body showed a 16% improvement in color vision, while the body-only group showed less improvement.
• 😀 The study observed the 'abscopal effect,' where mitochondrial improvements from local light exposure affected other distant areas of the body.
• 😀 Near-infrared light can penetrate clothing and skin effectively, enhancing the therapeutic benefits of sunlight and infrared therapy even when clothed.
• 😀 Infrared light can penetrate through skin and bone, particularly benefiting deoxygenated blood, as shown in studies using a specific infrared wavelength.
• 😀 Sunlight, which contains a broad spectrum of light including infrared, can offer health benefits beyond local effects, even when filtered by windows.
• 😀 Buildings often filter out infrared light to reduce air conditioning costs, which could deprive people of potentially beneficial light exposure.
• 😀 Upcoming U.S. regulations in 2028 will limit the amount of infrared light emitted by LEDs, focusing on visible light, which may reduce the health benefits of artificial lighting.
• 😀 Photobiomodulation (light therapy) continues to grow in popularity and research, with experts increasingly exploring its therapeutic potential for various health issues.

Q & A

What is the role of infrared light in mitochondrial function?

Infrared light, particularly at 850 nm, stimulates mitochondria, enhancing their ability to produce ATP, which is vital for cellular energy production. This leads to reduced oxidative stress and increased cellular function.

How does infrared light impact color blindness?

Infrared light exposure, specifically 850 nm, has been shown to lower the detection threshold for people with red-green (protan) and blue-yellow (tritan) color blindness, improving their ability to distinguish colors.

What is the 'abscopal effect' mentioned in the transcript?

The abscopal effect refers to the phenomenon where localized light exposure to a specific area of the body can trigger systemic benefits, even in areas distant from the source of the light.

What was the difference in results between the groups that received head and body exposure to infrared light?

The group that received both head and body exposure to 850 nm infrared light showed the most significant improvement in color vision, with a 16% drop in the detection threshold for tritan color blindness. Those who only received body exposure showed a smaller, 5% reduction, which was not statistically significant.

What effect does infrared light have on glucose levels, as referenced in the video?

Infrared light exposure, particularly 850 nm, has been associated with a 27% reduction in glucose levels in patients, as demonstrated in a study published in September 2023.

How does infrared light penetrate the body, according to the transcript?

Infrared light at 850 nm can effectively penetrate the skin and reach underlying tissues, including deoxygenated blood, which absorbs the light. This penetration is significant in promoting cellular and mitochondrial activity.

What role does clothing play in the transmission of infrared light?

Clothing, though it can slightly mitigate the transmission of infrared light, does not completely block it. Infrared light is about 100 times more transparent through typical indoor clothing than visible light, allowing it to penetrate layers effectively.

Why are buildings designed to filter out infrared light?

Buildings are often designed to filter out infrared light to reduce heat buildup, which would otherwise increase air conditioning costs. This practice limits the amount of beneficial infrared light that can reach the occupants.

What upcoming regulation in the U.S. could impact the availability of infrared light from LED bulbs?

A new U.S. regulation, effective in 2028, aims to increase the lumen-to-watt ratio of LED bulbs, effectively reducing the amount of infrared light emitted by these bulbs. This could make indoor environments more deprived of infrared light.

What is the speaker's perspective on the importance of sunlight versus artificial lighting?

The speaker emphasizes that, despite advancements in artificial lighting, natural sunlight is far superior for health benefits, particularly due to its natural infrared content. Sunlight exposure is considered essential for overall well-being.