Photobiomodulation therapy (itPBM), delivered via a medical-grade portable headset, reduces chronic brain inflammation and improves cognitive performance in former football players and brain injury survivors, according to published clinical findings from the University of Utah. While some experts urge caution and call for definitive clinical trials, researchers emphasize that the near-infrared light treatment targets cellular energy deficits without requiring reduced contact exposure on the field.
The Origins of itPBM Research at the University of Utah
The clinical investigation into intranasal transcranial photobiomodulation began following years of progressive cognitive and emotional decline experienced by former BYU football star Larry Carr. According to University of Utah researchers, Carr reached a severe crisis point in 2010 before receiving a formal brain damage diagnosis at age 60, which was attributed to repeated head impacts from his playing career. Seeking alternatives, Carr connected with Dr. Margaret A. Naeser at the Boston VA Medical Center, where a trial using near-infrared light therapy noticeably improved his mood, cognition, and overall demeanor, as observed by his wife, Laurie Carr.
Building on those personal experiences, Carr joined an expanding team of investigators at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Elisabeth Wilde, Ph.D., co-director of the Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion Center, describes the resulting data as striking. Unlike superficial red-light skincare devices found on social media, the medical-grade hardware utilizes specific power, pulse frequency, penetration, and wavelength properties designed to stimulate cellular energy within the brain.
Clinical Findings and the BYU Football Study
A study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma followed 26 BYU football players throughout a competitive season to track neurological health changes. According to the research team, half of the athletes received the itPBM treatment while the other half served as an untreated control group. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) revealed that the untreated players developed significant and widespread brain inflammation over the course of the season. Conversely, the treated group showed no such inflammation and demonstrated decreased inflammation in specific brain areas.
“I believe our BYU data suggests the players’ brains using itPBM are actually healthier after the season,” Larry Carr stated regarding the findings. Across 14 peer-reviewed studies published by the group, participants treated with the red-light headset consistently showed improvements in cognitive measures, motor performance, and reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
How Near-Infrared Light Targets Brain Cells
The biological mechanism relies on light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and lasers operating in the red to near-infrared spectrum. Dr. Margaret A. Naeser explains that chronic brain damage leaves cellular structures low on oxygen and functioning poorly, which disrupts neural pathways. “The red, near infrared light… is going to help the cells recover,” Naeser notes, emphasizing that the cells are not dead but rather operating at a severely diminished capacity.
By shining this targeted light onto the head and through an intranasal clip for roughly 20 minutes a day, the therapy aims to boost cellular energy production and improve neural network connectivity.
Scientific Skepticism and the Path to Validation
Despite promising biomarker and MRI results, prominent specialists emphasize that the medical community requires large-scale, definitive clinical trials before broad adoption. Dr. Daniel H. Daneshvar, Director of the LATE-TBI Lab at Harvard Medical School, states that he would not yet categorize the intervention as fully proven, though he considers the data exciting and promising.
Carrie Esopenko, co-director of the TBI and Concussion Center, notes that researchers are actively working to define the precise biological limits and optimal dosages of itPBM for various populations, including veterans, first responders, and survivors of intimate partner violence.
Pro Tip: Understanding Device Differences
Researchers stress that consumer-grade red-light skincare tools lack the precise wavelength, power, and pulse frequency required for transcranial applications. Clinical trials utilize specialized, medical-grade headsets paired with nasal delivery components designed specifically for neural tissue penetration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is photobiomodulation therapy (itPBM)?
It is a non-invasive treatment that delivers specific wavelengths of red or near-infrared light via a specialized headset and nose clip to stimulate cellular energy and reduce inflammation in the brain.
Does near-infrared light actually penetrate the skull?
What did the BYU football study discover?
Published in the Journal of Neurotrauma, the study tracked 26 players and found that athletes treated with itPBM avoided the widespread brain inflammation observed in the untreated control group over a competitive season.
Are there side effects or downtime?
Participants wear the portable headset at home for approximately 20 minutes daily, though clinical validation and broader safety trials remain ongoing.
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