There are many reasons we might try to modulate brain activity, and a number of ways are available for achieving it, from magnetic fields to binaural beats. But another noninvasive method exists, which is somewhat surprising—biophotomodulation, or applying light to the top of your head.
Your brain is locked in a dark, isolated place. Several layers of skull and muscle insulate it from the outside world. That’s a good thing, of course, given how important of an organ it is, and how delicate and sensitive the components are.
The usual way that your brain gets any info about the outside world, including light, is through bundles of nerve fibers connected to your sensory organs—eyes, nose, ears, tongue, etc. These organs convert the original signals into brain-code, firings of networks that your brain can make sense of.
That makes it rather surprising to learn that certain wavelengths of light can skip past all those intermediary layers, and make direct contact with your cortex. Not only can we shine a light on the brain cells within, but doing so has shown a number of therapeutic and cognitive benefits.
What is Biophotomodulation?
The Hungarian physician Endre Mester helped pioneer laser therapy in the 1960s and ‘70s, using them to treat ulcers and promote hair growth, but since then it’s expanded widely in its range of applications.
Biophotomodulation (also called photobiomodulation) uses red and near-infrared light—typically in the range of 600 to 1100 nanometers—to stimulate mitochondrial activity. This can enhance energy production, promote the synthesis of growth factors, and reduce oxidative stress.
The skin was the initial target and remains one of the most popular, with a growing body of evidence showing that biophotomodulation can help with skin rejuvenation, hair growth, and reduce acne and other issues.
Many people also use it for muscular rejuvenation, whether after injuries or to recover after a workout, as research shows it can reduce inflammation and even increase mass gained after training.
But it goes well beyond skin and muscle treatments. Certains ranges of light can penetrate the barriers standing in the way of the brain, and can therefore work its healing magic on the neural machine within.
Biophotomodulation and the Brain
Transcranial biophotomodulation involves using light to stimulate the cortex, the wrinkly outer layer of the brain which is responsible for most of our higher cognitive faculties—language, planning, problem solving, decision making, etc.
It’s fortunate that all this important stuff happens on these outer layers, because light waves cannot dig much deeper than that. Once past the surrounding skull the light waves are absorbed by the brain cells, leaving the inner components untouched.
The increase in energy and activity that this produces can aid those with neurodegenerative disorders, promote neurogenesis, or simply help shift us into a more desired cognitive state, whether that’s focused concentration or deep relaxation and sense of calm.
Even better, today we have a selection of home biophotomodulation devices that can deliver these benefits where and when you need them. Some are light focused, while others combine light therapy with other forms of neuromodulation.
Should you want to delve deeper into the world of transcranial biophotomodulation, here are some of the best devices available now:
A Guide To Home Biophotomodulation Devices
1. Sens.ai (Save 10% with our affiliate link)
Formed in Whistler, Canada in 2018, Sens.ai have developed a wearable headset and app designed to enhance focus, stress resilience, sleep, performance, and mood.
The headset integrates biophotomodulation with EEG sensors to monitor brain waves across various regions of the cortex, and heart rate sensors for HRV feedback.
The app has guided sessions and assessments, and personalised programs that run for 5-12 weeks, during which they track metrics like flow time, coherence, recovery, and synchrony.
The device is usually $1,700 but you can often find it at a discounted rate of $1,500. This includes a free 60 day trial to the app, but after the trial a subscription will cost either $240 per year, or $60 per month.
2. Neuronic Helmet
Neuronic is focused on the light-based approach to neuromodulation, with two clinical-grade light therapy helmets—the Neuradiant 1070 and Neuronic LIGHT. These biophotomodulation devices deliver improved focus, sleep, mood, and cognitive resilience.
The Neuronic LIGHT ($1,795) has 300 LEDs—291 normal LEDs, and 9 ultra strong LEDs—that deliver the deep tissue penetrating light. There are four modes—Focus, Peace, Balance, and Glow, with sessions lasting about 20 minutes and easily started from your phone.
The Neuradiant 1070 ($3,395) is a more customizable helmet for those who want more targeted interventions. It comes with a quantitative EEG brain scan, allowing you to fine-tune sessions and parameters, with a 30-minute orientation session with an expert.
3. Vielight Wearables
Vielight is a pioneer in biophotomodulation devices, having launched in 2011, and now with a range of options available to meet most peoples requirements for maximising wellness, memory, and cognition.
There are two devices ($1,799 each) that deliver specific frequencies of light: the Alpha model produces 10 Hz lasers designed to help you relax, the Gamma model increases that to 40 Hz, which is better for concentration, mindfulness, and learning.
If you prefer to have both options then the Neuro Duo 4 ($2,399) comes capable of producing both Alpha and Gamma waves.
Then there’s the Vielight Pro 2 ($5,000), the most recent model, which is more customisable than the others, and comes with a pre-synched smartphone with 8 advanced guided protocols.
The headsets all come with 5 Vie-LEDs, and include a unique device that can deliver lasers through the nasal area, called MIP (Multimodal Intranasal Photobiomodulation). You can also combine with an optional vagus nerve stimulator ($699).
4. Mito Red Light (Save 5% with our affiliate link)
Mito comes with a wide range of light therapy devices, including large panels for full body application; belts, matts, face masks, and pods to use on the go—or even with your pets; and of course a helmet for transcranial biophotomodulation.
The MitoMIND Helmet includes 256 LEDs that cover the entire scalp, and a touchscreen control panel to select different programs and adjust other options.
There are 6 preset programs to help you achieve the desired results, such as: Recharge, Sleep, Meditate, Relax, Concentrate, and Peak Focus.
The helmet usually costs $2,995, but you can find it on sale for around $2,195. You can also bundle the helmet with their intranasal unit for an extra $200, which makes it comparable to the Vielight devices.
Light Up Your Brain With Biophotomodulation
The brain may be locked in darkness, but with the right wavelengths of light, you can make direct contact. Light waves now join the group neuromodulation methods, making what was once science fiction a reality.
Whether for recovery, relaxation, or razor-sharp focus, biophotomodulation offers a noninvasive way to support your brain’s activity, helping you feel and function better in daily life.
There are already a variety of devices available, so chances are there’s something that fits your goals, your lifestyle, and your budget. With each new study and innovation, the possibilities are expanding. We’re just beginning to see what light can do for the brain.
I built DIY Genius to help entrepreneurial people with ADHD traits find their focus and develop mindful habits that make it easy to get into the flow state.
I believe the future of education starts with helping people find their "zone of genius" so they can develop their uniquely human ability to create meaning, connection and community (that A.I. can't replicate).
I'm also big on completely unplugging from tech to recharge on nature retreats and trekking adventures. That led me to start my most recent company Sacred Treks where we help people reconnect with nature on wild trekking pilgrimages.
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