Light as Medicine: How Photobiomodulation Heals from the Mitochondria Out

Jun 23

Did you know your body runs on light?

At the intersection of ancient light wisdom and modern biophysics lies photobiomodulation.

Since the dawn of human civilization, light has been revered as a source of life, rhythm, and renewal. Ancient cultures aligned their rituals with the sun’s arc, honored fire as sacred, and understood, perhaps intuitively, that light carried something more than warmth—it carried information.

Today, science is catching up to that ancient wisdom.  What if healing didn’t begin with a pill—but with a beam of light?

Discover how natural light—including sunlight and red light therapy—activates mitochondrial function, supports cellular healing, and promotes whole-body wellness.

In an age where artificial lighting dominates our daily environments and screen time eclipses sunlight exposure, the disconnection from natural light has quietly contributed to rising rates of chronic fatigue, sleep disorders, mood dysregulation, and metabolic dysfunction. But a wave of research in biophysics, chronobiology, and quantum biology is now revealing what pioneers like Dr. Jack Kruse have long emphasized: light is not just energy—it’s medicine.

Light interacts with the human body on a cellular and quantum level. It governs our circadian clocks, fuels our mitochondria, and regulates the hormones that shape our cognition, mood, metabolism, and immune response. More than just a passive environmental factor, light is a biological input as vital as food, water, and breath.

This article explores how specific wavelengths of light—especially red and near-infrared—support healing and energy production from the inside out. Drawing from peer-reviewed scientific research and insights from Dr. Kruse’s quantum biology framework, we’ll examine how photobiomodulation can optimize mitochondrial function, balance our internal rhythms, and restore harmony between the brain, body, and environment.

Let’s step into the light—and rediscover how to heal from the mitochondria out.

The Science of Light and the Human Body

To understand how light acts as medicine, we first need to understand the language of light—and how the human body is biologically designed to interpret it.

Light exists as both a wave and a particle. Depending on its wavelength, it can pass through the skin, penetrate deep into tissues, or trigger photoreceptors in the eyes and cells. The electromagnetic spectrum includes a wide range of wavelengths—from ultraviolet (UV) to visible light, all the way to infrared (IR). Each segment of this spectrum has a unique biological impact.

  • Ultraviolet Light (UV): While excessive exposure can be harmful, UVB light is essential for vitamin D synthesis in the skin—a hormone critical for immune regulation, bone density, and inflammation control.
  • Visible Light: This includes all colors from violet to red. These wavelengths regulate mood, cognitive alertness, and the circadian system via receptors in the retina and skin.
  • Red and Near-Infrared Light (600–1100 nm): This is where the magic of photobiomodulation happens. These wavelengths penetrate deeply into tissues, influencing mitochondrial function and cellular repair without generating heat or damage.

Why Light Matters

Biological Light Sensors in the Body
The human body isn’t passive to light—it’s built to sense and respond to it. Specialized proteins called photoreceptors absorb light and initiate cellular responses.These include:

  • Melanopsin: Found in the eye, it regulates the circadian rhythm by signaling the brain’s master clock (the suprachiasmatic nucleus).
  • Opsins and Cryptochromes: Involved in light sensing across tissues, playing roles in gene expression and even hormone secretion.
  • Cytochrome c Oxidase (CCO): A key enzyme in the mitochondrial electron transport chain that absorbs red and near-infrared light, enhancing ATP (energy) production.

Photobiology is revealing a paradigm shift: light doesn’t just allow us to see—it programs our biology. By harnessing specific light frequencies, we can shift the body into repair mode, optimize energy, and restore circadian alignment.

Sunlight as Medicine

How Your Cells Use Light

Mitochondria: The Light-Eating Engines of the Cell

Mitochondria are often referred to as the powerhouses of the cell, responsible for producing the majority of our body’s cellular energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). But what’s less widely known is that mitochondria are also highly responsive to light—especially red and near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths.

This phenomenon is known as photobiomodulation (PBM), where specific light frequencies stimulate mitochondrial function and cellular repair.

Central to this process is the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase (CCO), located in the mitochondrial membrane. Red and NIR light activate CCO, improving the efficiency of the electron transport chain, and in turn boosting ATP production.

But PBM doesn’t stop at energy enhancement:
  • It reduces oxidative stress by modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS).
  • It improves cell signaling for regeneration and repair.
  • It can even stimulate stem cell activation, aiding tissue recovery.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is now linked to a wide array of chronic conditions—fatigue, cognitive decline, autoimmune disease, and metabolic disorders. By targeting mitochondria with therapeutic light, we can literally energize the body from within, facilitating healing at the most fundamental level.

Dr. Jack Kruse’s Quantum Biology Framework

Dr. Jack Kruse, a neurosurgeon and outspoken pioneer in the field of quantum biology, challenges many modern assumptions about health. His work emphasizes that light—not food—is the most critical environmental input shaping our mitochondrial function, gene expression, and overall vitality.

Kruse argues that our biology evolved under the sun’s natural spectrum. According to him, disrupting these natural light cycles—through artificial lighting, screen exposure, and modern indoor lifestyles—leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and disease.

Key insights from Dr. Kruse include:

  • Circadian biology is more important than nutrition for long-term health.
  • Seasonal light cycles affect mitochondrial biogenesis, hormone production, and fat metabolism.
  • Sunlight exposure helps deplete deuterium, a form of heavy hydrogen that slows mitochondrial function and accelerates aging.
  • Light affects the redox state of our cells—shaping whether the body leans into inflammation or healing.

By reintroducing natural light and minimizing artificial light at inappropriate times, we re-align with the environment that our DNA expects.

The Circadian Clock: Light’s Role in Sleep, Hormones & Brain Health

The circadian rhythm is the body’s internal timekeeping system, orchestrating hormone release, brain activity, metabolism, and immune function over a 24-hour cycle. This rhythm is tightly regulated by light cues, particularly those received through the eyes and skin.

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus serves as the master clock, responding to blue light in the early morning to:
  • Suppress melatonin
  • Elevate cortisol
  • Boost dopamine and serotonin

In the evening, the absence of light triggers melatonin release, supporting restful sleep and cellular detoxification. However, exposure to artificial blue light at night (from phones, LED lights, TVs) tricks the brain into thinking it’s still daytime—disrupting melatonin production and damaging sleep quality, metabolism, and cognitive function.

Chronic circadian disruption has been linked to:
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Obesity and insulin resistance
  • Neurodegenerative diseases
  • Hormonal imbalances including thyroid and reproductive disorders

Proper light exposure, especially natural light in the first hour after waking, entrains the brain, resets the clock, and helps synchronize peripheral clocks throughout the body—from the liver to the gut to reproductive organs.

Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT): Red & Near-Infrared Light

Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) is the therapeutic application of red (600–700 nm) and near-infrared (800–1100 nm) light to stimulate cellular function, reduce inflammation, and accelerate tissue repair. Unlike ultraviolet light, PBMT does not damage tissues or generate heat.

Commonly used devices include:
  • Red light panels
  • Handheld laser or LED units
  • Full-body light beds
  • Helmet caps for brain treatment (e.g., post-TBI)
  • Evidence-based applications of PBMT include:
  • Chronic pain relief (e.g., arthritis, joint degeneration)
  • Neuroregeneration after stroke, concussion, or cognitive decline
  • Skin healing and anti-aging (e.g., collagen synthesis)
  • Wound repair and muscle recovery in athletes

This red light therapy works at the cellular level, supporting mitochondrial healing and nervous system reset.

Therapy is usually painless, low-risk, and often done in short sessions (5–20 minutes). As clinical studies continue to demonstrate its effectiveness, PBMT is increasingly being used in hospitals, physical therapy clinics, and at home.

Real-World Example: Healing with the Sun 

A client of mine, a 36-year-old mother of two, came to me overwhelmed with adrenal fatigue, brain fog, and anxiety. She had read about red light therapy but wasn’t ready to invest in a device. Instead, we started simple: a daily ritual of morning sunlight exposure—just 10–15 minutes outside before 9:00 AM with no sunglasses, allowing natural light to reach her eyes and skin.

Within a few weeks, her sleep patterns stabilized, her mood noticeably lifted, and she described feeling “plugged back into the rhythm of life.” It wasn’t just the light—it was the pause, the breath, the reconnection to something ancient and constant.

Sunlight is one of the most accessible forms of photobiomodulation. When used with intention, it becomes a form of medicine—resetting the circadian rhythm, enhancing mitochondrial activity, and gently awakening the body’s innate healing intelligence.

The Skin as a Neuroendocrine Organ

While the eyes are the primary gatekeepers for circadian light signals, the skin is also a powerful light receptor. It’s embedded with photoreceptors and hormone-producing cells that respond to environmental light—turning the skin into a neuroendocrine interface.

Upon exposure to full-spectrum sunlight, the skin:
  • Synthesizes vitamin D3 from UVB rays
  • Releases nitric oxide (NO), improving vascular flow and lowering blood pressure
  • Triggers production of beta-endorphins, supporting mood and pain relief
  • Influences immune signaling and inflammation pathways

Research also shows that red/NIR light can influence fascia and connective tissue, stimulating microcirculation, releasing muscular tension, and improving lymphatic flow.

In essence, light influences our skin not just externally but internally—regulating systemic health through complex hormonal and neurological pathways.

Artificial Light and the Light Deficiency Epidemic

Our ancestors spent 90% of their time outdoors, aligning with natural light rhythms. Today, we spend over 90% of our time indoors, under blue-shifted, artificial light that is foreign to our biology.

Key issues include:
  • Circadian mismatch from LED lighting and screens
  • Melatonin suppression from evening device use
  • Lack of red/infrared exposure, especially in the morning and evening
  • Light pollution disrupting sleep, fertility, and mood

This phenomenon has been dubbed a “light deficiency epidemic,” similar in scale to malnutrition—except we’re starved of biophotonic input.

Simple tools to rebalance this:
  • Use blue light blockers after sunset
  • Install red bulbs or amber lights for evening lighting
  • Get morning sunlight daily, ideally within 30 minutes of waking
  • Reduce screen time 2 hours before bed

Nature’s Blueprint: Aligning with Natural Light Cycles

The rhythms of the sun are not arbitrary—they are a biological blueprint that the human body evolved to follow. By realigning with nature’s light cycles, we restore internal coherence.

Tips for re-harmonizing your body with light:
  • Sunrise ritual: Get outdoors barefoot and face east within the first 30 minutes of waking
  • Midday exposure: Safely receive sunlight on skin (without sunglasses or sunscreen) for vitamin D and nitric oxide
  • Sunset grounding: Watch the fading light to trigger melatonin and relaxation
  • Sleep in full darkness: Use blackout curtains and unplug electronics

As you honor this rhythm, your body begins to naturally self-regulate—balancing cortisol, enhancing sleep quality, and improving emotional resilience.

Integrating Light-Based Healing Into Your Wellness Practice

You don’t need expensive devices or complex protocols to start working with light. Start with small, consistent habits:

  • Sunlight before screen time
  • Red light therapy for 10–20 minutes daily on the face, abdomen, or joints
  • Digital detox hours (especially at night)
  • Nature immersion: walks in the sun, forest bathing, water reflections

For practitioners, light therapy can be a non-invasive, low-cost tool to enhance outcomes in trauma healing, fatigue, hormonal balance, and emotional well-being.

Light is not just a biohack—it’s a reconnection to the fundamental intelligence of the Earth, and to the rhythms we were always meant to live by.

Reclaiming Our Relationship with Light

We are light beings. Literally.

Our cells communicate through biophotons, our clocks are reset by light, and our energy is generated by the very photons we receive from the sun. In a world flooded with artificial environments and disconnection, reclaiming our relationship with light is a radical act of healing.

Photobiomodulation offers us the tools—and the science—to step back into harmony with nature’s original design. Whether through morning sun, red light therapy, or mindful light hygiene, you can begin restoring your body’s innate vitality from the mitochondria out.

Let there be light—on your skin, in your cells, and in your consciousness.

Healing begins not in the symptom, but in the spark of cellular light within.

Watch how Dr. Sigman reframes pain management with PBM.

How infrared light could reverse Alzheimer's - Paul Chazot

FAQs: Light As Medicine

What is photobiomodulation, and how does it work?

Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a form of light therapy that uses specific wavelengths—typically red or near-infrared light—to stimulate cellular energy production. It works by activating the mitochondria, the “powerhouses” of the cell, which increases ATP (energy) production and supports healing at a cellular level.

Can sunlight really support cellular healing?

Yes. Natural sunlight provides a full spectrum of light—including red and infrared wavelengths—that can nourish the body in similar ways to red light therapy. Morning sun exposure helps regulate your circadian rhythm, improve mitochondrial function, and naturally support cellular and nervous system balance.

How much sun exposure is needed daily for health benefits?

A general recommendation is 10 to 20 minutes of natural light exposure early in the day—ideally within an hour of waking. Getting sunlight on your face and skin without sunglasses helps reset your biological clock, boost mood-regulating hormones, and activate your body’s natural energy systems.

What’s the difference between red light therapy and sunlight?

Red light therapy uses specific, concentrated wavelengths of red or near-infrared light delivered through LED devices. Sunlight contains those same wavelengths, but in a broader spectrum. While red light therapy allows for targeted treatment and dosing, natural sunlight offers a holistic, full-body exposure that supports many of the same biological systems.

Is light therapy safe for everyone?

Light therapy is generally safe and non-invasive. However, individuals with certain medical conditions (such as lupus or photosensitivity) or those taking medications that increase light sensitivity should consult a healthcare provider before beginning a new light-based practice. Always start gently and listen to your body’s response.
References and Further Reading

1. Hamblin, M. R. (2017). Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. AIMS Biophysics, 4(3), 337–361.
2. Kruse, J. (2016). The Epi-Paleo Rx: The Prescription for Disease Reversal and Optimal Health. Quantum Health Press.
3. Rybnikova, E. A., et al. (2015). Red light exposure improves mitochondrial function and reduces oxidative stress in human cells. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery.
4. Cajochen, C., et al. (2011). Evening exposure to a light-emitting diodes (LED)-backlit computer screen affects circadian physiology and cognitive performance. Journal of Applied Physiology, 110(5), 1432–1438.
5. Chang, A. M., et al. (2015). Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects sleep, circadian timing, and next-morning alertness. PNAS, 112(4), 1232–1237.
6. Reiter, R. J., et al. (2003). Melatonin: reducing the toxicity and increasing the efficacy of drugs. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology.
7. Hill, D. W., et al. (2022). Sunlight and Vitamin D: Interactions with Immune Function and Inflammation. Nutrients, 14(4), 899.
8. Porges, S. W. (2022). Polyvagal theory and the healing power of safe environments. Frontiers in Psychology, 13.


Curious how light therapy might support your unique healing path? Reach out for a free discovery call—or explore my offerings HERE.

Continue to dive deeper into the healing power of light. Next up, is how light affects the Vagus Nerve!

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