Red Light Therapy has become increasingly prominent in the wellness space for its numerous physical benefits, but can it impact mental health as well? According to Statistics Canada, people are increasingly affected by mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, yet there remain accessibility gaps in accessing treatment. This creates a need for reliable alternative and supplemental therapies.

Since time immemorial, human beings have known that sitting in the sun will improve your mood, and science can explain why. Isolated red spectrum light improves cellular function and could even boost dopamine and serotonin levels. There is some research to support this, a study carried out by Harvard Medical School observed that when people who had a history of suffering from depression received red light therapy applied to the skull, they reported a significant improvement to their mood and sense of contentment. Importantly, they were still experiencing that improved mental state when they were re-interviewed four weeks later.

So will red light therapy cure your mood disorder? There is certainly evidence that it could help a lot of people. Red light is a noninvasive therapy that can be used alongside other modalities and should be considered as part of the conversation around mental wellness. The bad news is that it probably isn’t a replacement for other treatments. As always, individuals should consult their medical providers to help them come up with a treatment plan that works for them.

Study Conducted by Harvard Medical School: Behavioral and Brain Functions - BioMed Central (PDF)