Vielight
Shining Light on the Head:
Home-based Photobiomodulation (PBM) Therapy
The importance of Light
One of the key principles of our treatment practice at New Harmony is to help the body guide itself towards wellness by using therapies that stimulate the body’s own healing processes in natural ways.
Light is one of the most powerful natural sources contributing to our wellness and can be used for healing. Can you imagine light being effective for improving symptoms of Alzheimers, Parkinson’s, and dementia?
We have been counseling patients for years on the incredible importance of sunlight for general wellness as well as energy, positive mood, good sleep, and a strong immune system. We caution our patients against excessive exposure to blue light from the screens of our computers and phones, especially at night if we’re having trouble sleeping. We also use focused light therapy in carefully designed in-office laser treatments to help patients with a variety of challenges, ranging from brain and neurological disorders, to joint problems and back pain. Now we’re exploring the use of LED lights at a specific frequency and pulse rate to improve the early symptoms of dementia, Alzheimers, Parkinsons and other conditions.
We are drawing on our knowledge of the acupuncture meridian system and on research related to the effects of specific frequencies of light on cellular function and regeneration in order to develop safe yet innovative ways to help our patients
Last year, we became aware of a new set of devices from Vielight which focus red and infrared light on a specific treatment areas. Similar to a laser, these devices deliver light through LEDs at a weaker power than the medical lasers we use at the clinic. The device is mostly used to focus light on the brain using a headset, but studies suggest it may be used elsewhere as well. Because it can be used indoors, and at home on a regular basis, it’s more accessible and ultimately less expensive than in-office laser treatments. The Vielight is completely safe and is reviewed and approved by the FDA.
WHAT is Vielight?
Indeed, the LED lights are at such a low power that the Vielight is not considered an official medical device. Yet when we began guiding a few patients in using Vielight at home, we started to see improvement with challenging issues related mostly to the brain and neurological functions. One patient who had been struggling with short-term memory loss in the context of possible Alzheimer’s Disease has seen a major decrease in episodes of memory loss and also an improvement in general mood and energy level. Another patient dealing with Parkinson’s Disease improved their mental clarity and their mobility has steadily improved. A patient who experienced significant memory lapses and was somewhat withdrawn, has seen some improvement in memory and has re-engaged in meaningful ways with family activities that has brought greater wellbeing to all. We’ll be collecting more testimonials as we help more people to experience these therapeutic devices.
These successes led us to conduct a more comprehensive review of published research on home-based photobiomodulation (PBM). We’ve learned that while many treatment uses of the device are largely experimental, the published research on its success for various neurological and brain-related issues, and additional research suggests an even wider range of possible uses in treatment. There are even some ongoing clinical trials on the use of PBM in treating Covid.
(see here: covidlightstudy)
What is photobiomodulation (PBM)?
Shining light on the head!
One of the leading researchers on PBM is Dr. Michael Hamblin, based at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. In a research article called “Shining Light on the Head: Photobiomodulation for Brain Disorders” (Hamblin, BBA Clin 2016), Dr. Hamblin describes PBM as “the use of red or near-infrared light to stimulate, heal, regenerate, and protect tissue that has either been injured, is degenerating, or else is at risk of dying.” (see here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5066074). At a basic level, the Vielight device uses LED lights at a low power, at a specific pulse rate and frequency that can penetrate the skull to target specific areas of the brain. Vielight devices also have an intranasal attachment that delivers light to the rich network of capillaries present within the nose which then circulate the light-enriched blood throughout the body.
What can we do with PBM?
Treat a broad variety of challenges to the brain…
Hamblin explains that brain disorders broadly fall into three categories:
traumatic injuries like strokes or concussions;
neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s; and
psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Hamblin writes (2016), “There is some evidence that all these seemingly diverse conditions can be beneficially affected by applying light to the head.”
Boost the immune system, increase energy levels, improve risk factors of cardiovascular disease, treat insomnia and chronic headache, and enhance aerobic fitness…
In an article on intranasal light, Leslie Farer (writing for Aging Matters Magazine) describes how “irradiating the blood with low intensity light”… “promotes health and stimulates healing by restoring homeostasis, or internal equilibrium. Homeostasis is … disrupted in cases of disease, and can be re-established through the use of intranasal phototherapy, which circulates its healing effects throughout the body.” With reference to published scientific research, Farer also describes how PBM “reduces high lipid levels associated with vascular diseases”, “increases serum levels of melatonin”, and improves symptoms in patients with “chronic headache, migraine, or trigeminal neuralgia.”
Reference: www.antiaging-systems.com/articles/352-the-power-of-light-the-vielight-intranasal-light-therapy
How does PBM work?
The reason why PBM is effective for so many seemingly disparate diseases is because all of those diseases can be treated by improving cellular function and communication. Every aspect of our body, whether it’s the neurological work of the brain, the circulatory work of the heart and cardiovascular system, our metabolism, or immune system function– all of it relies on the optimal function of the cells to take in nourishment, turn it into energy, and dispose of waste.
Cells produce energy with nourishment from nutrients in food and also receive energy through light. Through visible red and near infrared LED lights to the head, PBM improves cellular function by creating more energy and improving cellular repair.
As described in information provided by Vielight (you might find this webpage helpful if you’re considering a device), “This activity takes place within mitochondria through an enzyme called cytochrome c oxidase. This enzyme accepts and converts photonic energy into cellular energy (ATP) and other gene transcription factors leading to repair and regeneration.”
Dr. Lew Lim, whose research contributed to the design and production of the Vielight device, describes the following benefits of PBM (for a great explanation of what PBM can do for brain function:
Blood perfusion, more so in areas surrounding source of light
Activation of neuronal repair, restoration, growth and reduction of inflammation
Increase in neurotransmitter activity
Beneficial modification of microglia activity
Entrainment of selective brain oscillations
Potential for modulating focal synchrony/coherency
This same publication also describes how PBM causes an increase in angiogenesis, decrease in edema, increase in lymphatic drainage, increase in cerebral oxygenation, increase in neuron progenitor cells, increase in synaptogenesis, increase in BDNF Neurotrophins, anti-inflammation, glutamate, decrease in neuron excitotoxicity, increase in anti-apoptosis, increase in antioxidants, and survivin.
View Dr. Lim’s full publication, Enhancing Brain Functions with Near Infrared Light
Vielight device information for our patients
The table below provides basic information about what the different Vielight devices are and what they do. The prices given are the list prices if you get the unit directly from Vielight. If you use the code “NewHarmony” in the checkout, we are able to extend a 10% discount on your purchase.
We also have these devices for sale at New Harmony Center and are able to help you become familiar with their use and/or you may buy from us directly – please contact us if you are interested in discussing this.
You should know that Vielight offers an 80% refund on any device if you return it within six months of purchase, no questions asked.
Our goal is to make the therapy accessible to people who are open to trying a novel therapy for a range of issues. They are a complement and augment the work we do with many difficult conditions we treat with acupuncture and Chinese herbs.
The Vielight device is light, painless, and easy to use, and is thus also suitable for patients who are uncomfortable with acupuncture needles or herbal medicines. We are open to discussing the Vielight with you and can provide a short research review to see if there are others using it to address the condition you’re interested in treating.
The Vielight 810 nm Devices
Vielight Neuro: Intranasal applicator plus headset device: the clusters on the device correlate with the Default Mode Network in the brain. The Vielight 810 and Neuro Alpha/Gamma penetrate light more deeply than the 633/655, and they generally emphasize the brain.
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810 nm wavelength, 10 Hz pulse rate, alpha brainwave oscillations and overall enhanced cellular light absorption for overall neuronal photobiomodulation. For overall brain function. $1749.
Uses: ADHD, bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD, sleep disorder, brain injuries/concussion, etc.
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810 nm wavelength, 40 Hz pulse rate, gamma brainwave oscillations and enhanced memory function and cognition: designed for Alzheimer/Dementia. $1749.
Uses: For memory function.
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Combines Neuro Alpha and Neuro Gamma, with two separate controls, and one common transcranial headset and intranasal applicator. $2369.
*However, per Glynn at Vielight, you can purchase one and then purchase the second as an upgrade within this same overall price – this means you can make a gradual decision rather than buy both at once at first.
Uses: “Sleepiness is a common side effect due to the pulse rate correlating with alpha brain waves and neuronal stimulation.”
“NIR energy stimulation produces beneficial effects on frontal cortex functions such as sustained attention, working memory and affective state. This state also helps release serotonin which helps alleviate sleep disorders.”
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$499. An intranasal-only device at lower power, ½ the power of the Neuro devices. engineered for everyday use on the brain through the nose, while the Neuro Alpha/Gamma were designed for comprehensive stimulation in different parts of the brain through the headset.
Uses: “Sleepiness is a common side effect due to the pulse rate correlating with alpha brain waves and neuronal stimulation.”
“NIR energy stimulation produces beneficial effects on frontal cortex functions such as sustained attention, working memory and affective state. This state also helps release serotonin which helps alleviate sleep disorders.”
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Designed as an add-on for the Neuro, combines the Vielight 633 Red intranasal device (for systemic photobiomodulation) with a versatile 810 nm LED module (NIR) on a flexible stainless steel band to deliver PBM to areas not covered by other Vielight devices: this offers versatility to target different body areas. $749.
Uses: X-Plus can target a stroke-impacted area of the brain.
Can also be pointed at the cerebellum/brain stem for treatment for movement issues for Parkinson’s. (The Neuro Alpha and Gamma don’t focus on cerebellum region)
Can also be targeted for joint pain, skin issues, wound healing.
Can be used for improving general brain function.
“Investigations into the enhancement of normal human brains with NIR light are relatively recent. With NIR light delivered to the forehead in a controlled study, subjects demonstrated improved memory and mood….[and] subjects improving in executive functions. When the right forehead was treated, it improved attention biased modification in people with depression. Directing NIR light to the brain improves reaction time. The results are likely due to increased cerebral oxygenation in the brain and increased electrophysiology power. (see Vielight, Integrative Practitioner “Enhancing Brain Functions with NIR Light”).
Vielight intranasal devices 633/655 (no headset)
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Uses 633 nm wavelength, with LED source. $299
*we recommend the Vielight 633, which is cheaper but just as effective as the Vielight 655.
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Uses 655 nm wavelength, with Laser source. $399
What do they do?
Both are intranasal devices designed to stimulate the circulatory, immune and endocrine systems. The red photons modulate these systems through the dense nasal capillary network.
What’s the difference?
The difference is the type of light source; there is no difference in terms of effectiveness. The 655 is a more power-efficient design because the energy generated is lower than the 633.
Why intranasal?
The nasal cavity is saturated with blood capillaries and five major arteries which connect it to the circulatory system. Theoretical benefits include: Increased energy levels, enhanced aerobic fitness, boosting immune system, increasing blood oxygenation levels.
The intranasal area is the most efficient channel to deliver photons to the ventral brain area – the prefrontal cortex. NIR photons penetrate through bone. Ventral brain area holds the hypothalamus, ventral prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.
What does it treat?
The Vielight 633/655 emphasizes the body, immune system and cardiovascular issues. Practitioners report success using the 633/655 to treat: allergies, anemia, anxiety, high blood pressure, blood viscosity/stroke prevention, chronic fatigue, detoxing, diabetes, fibromyalgia, high cholesterol, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, sinus issues. (Per spokesperson at Vielight)
We are renting the Vielight Neuro and X-Plus.
You can try the device before making a purchase.
For comprehensive information on Vielight, including explanations of how it works and links to research on its uses, see the company website: www.vielight.com