According to statistics, there are more than 100 million people in America who don’t/can’t get adequate sleep. Sleep disturbances and lack of sleep not only make you less active and productive during the day, but they can also lead to several health problems.
If you’re also suffering from a sleep disorder and can’t get restful sleep during the night, you can try using red light therapy. Modern research shows that red light therapy can be incredibly beneficial for people with sleeping problems and help them enjoy better sleep quality.
How Does Red Light Therapy Help for Sleep?
There’s a gland in your brain, called the pineal gland, that ensures the secretion of the melatonin enzyme. This enzyme is responsible for helping you fall asleep. During the day, when your eyes are receiving natural light, your pineal gland suppresses melatonin secretion.
Your body produces cortisol during the day when it receives bright light and keeps you alert. After sunset, the production of cortisol slows down and melatonin secretion increases, which helps you enjoy a good night’s sleep.
However, the artificial light coming out of electronic devices, like smartphones and tablets, contains blue light. It can also suppress melatonin secretion, which makes it difficult to fall asleep.
The light that a red light therapy device emits helps your pineal gland to increase the secretion of melatonin and helps you fall asleep quickly.
Science Behind Red Light Therapy Help for Sleep
There are several studies, based on clinical trials, that suggest that red light therapy can help you fall asleep quickly and improve overall sleep quality.
According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, low-level laser therapy can reduce sleep disturbance. The study also shows that this treatment method can also help people suffering from chronic migraine.
An NCBI study shows that red light therapy can reduce subjective sleepiness and reduce the symptoms of sleep inertia. Not only does it help people feel better right after waking up but it also allows them to perform better while performing different tasks.
How to use Red Light Therapy for Sleep
Red light therapy can help you with sleep by acting as ambient light. It can stop the suppression of melatonin secretion in your brain so that you can fall asleep quickly.
The best time to use red light therapy for sleep is after sunset or before going to bed. Additionally, make sure that you set your device to ambient light so that it works as a visual cue for your brain that bedtime is approaching and it’s time to relax.
You can sit at a safe distance from your red-light therapy device for 10 to 20 minutes daily to help your brain relax. It’ll regulate your circadian cycle and also improve your sleep quality.
Final Words
Suffering from a sleeping disorder can be extremely bad for your overall health. If you’re experiencing such a problem, visit your doctor as soon as possible to discuss the treatment options.
You can also consult your doctor about using red light therapy so that you can recover from this condition quickly.