According to the World Health Organization, more than one in three people globally are affected by neurological conditions. They are the leading cause of illness and disability throughout the world.
The good news is that scientific research and innovations are doing all they can to mitigate the effects of these diseases. Every day we are finding new ways to slow, halt, and even reverse the effects of many neurological conditions. One of the most recent and innovative is the use of gamma light therapy.
If you have not heard of this treatment, keep reading. This article explains the basics of gamma light therapy, along with the many uses and benefits it has to offer. The information below can help determine if it is the right option for your healthcare needs and goals.
What Is Gamma Light Therapy?
Gamma light therapy is a treatment that uses light to stimulate brain waves. It uses a “variable light emitting device” (VLED) that produces a specified blend of gamma light frequency and amplitude that a patient views. Some devices incorporate rhythmic sounds as well.
Specifically, VLEDs emit photons of light, which then get converted into electrons in the eye. The electrons travel from the retina, through the optic nerve, and reach the brain. The light synapses are then released as electrochemical “flashes” on the surface of the brain.
What Are the Effects of Gamma Light Therapy?
There are several results that gamma light therapy has on the brain. These can be broken down into three main categories:
- Gamma wave induction
- Neurotransmitter release
- Microglial activation and function
These are all related but have distinct physiological effects and related health outcomes.
Gamma Wave Induction
Gamma light therapy prompts a process known as brainwave entrainment, a phenomenon where brainwaves synchronize with external stimuli. Our brains constantly produce electrical activity. There are different frequencies of brainwaves (in order of slowest to fastest):
- Delta
- Theta
- Alpha
- Beta
- Gamma
Delta brainwaves are associated with deep sleep. Theta brainwaves are those that correspond to a relaxed meditative state, and alpha brainwaves with relaxed wakefulness.
Beta brainwaves correspond to alertness, concentration, and focus. Gamma waves are the fastest. They are associated with high-level cognitive functions, such as hyper-consciousness and alertness.
Gamma light therapy works to synchronize these waves. This induces continued gamma wave activity in the brain.
Neurotransmitter Release
Gamma wave activity also may influence the release of neurotransmitters, chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons (or nerve cells) and the central nervous system. It does so by increasing the excitability of neurons, making them more likely to fire, which increases the release of neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters play key roles in mood and behavior. They influence emotions and motivation. Neurotransmitters also help regulate various bodily functions, like heart rate, breathing, digestion, and sleep.
Microglial Activation and Enhanced Function
This stimulation of neuronal activity has other effects, including on microglia in the brain. These are resident immune cells that, along with other neuroglia, like astrocytes, are distributed in distinct, separate regions throughout the central nervous system. They are responsible for removing cellular debris in the brain, like:
- Infectious agents
- Dead or dying cells
- Synaptic debris
- Extracellular debris
- Amyloid plaques
Microglial cells can engulf and destroy invading pathogens, like viruses and bacteria. They can remove various types of dead or dying neurons, glial cells, and other brain cells that have died due to disease, injury, or aging.
Microglia also promote a process called “synaptic pruning,” where they remove unnecessary or dysfunctional synapses. This is vital to brain development and plasticity.
Microglia also remove extracellular debris, like damaged proteins or misfolded proteins. These are also known as toxic conformations, as they result in functional impairment and disease development.
Finally, microglia are extremely adept at clearing out amyloid plagues, which are abnormal clumps of protein called beta-amyloid that build up between nerve cells in the brain. They disrupt communication between neurons, and their accumulation plays a significant role in the cognitive decline associated with many different neurological diseases.
In addition to stimulating microglia action, gamma wave therapy can make the cells much more efficient. By clearing amyloid plaques and other cellular debris faster, microglia can dramatically boost brain function and, in turn, lead to cognitive improvement.
What Are the Specific Health Benefits of Gamma Light Therapy?
Gamma light therapy can bring about many positive health advantages. These range from improved cognitive function to combatting serious neurological disorders.
Improved Cognitive Function
Brainwave entrainment prompted by gamma light therapy can improve cognitive function. It can enhance focus, concentration, and alertness. It can boost creativity and problem-solving abilities in patients who undergo the therapy.
Neurotransmitter release has a profound influence on brain function as well, in particular the production of neurotransmitters like acetylcholine and glutamate. Both are key excitatory neurotransmitters involved in learning and memory. Stimulating their production through gamma wave therapy can lead to heightened cognitive function.
Gamma wave therapy has been shown to improve working memory, or the ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind. It also can improve learning memory, or the ability to retain new information and retrieve stored memories. Gamma light therapy also is associated with decreased brain fog and increased energy levels.
It also can have a calming effect on the nervous system, potentially reducing stress and anxiety. It can help deepen meditation by encouraging relaxation and calm. Gamma wave therapy can be helpful in achieving deeper, more restorative sleep, which is also essential to physical and mental rejuvenation.
Combatting Neurological Diseases
According to a study by Frontiers In Aging Neuroscience, gamma light therapy has been shown to have positive physiological effects related to myriad neurological conditions. These include:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Lou Gehrig’s disease (also known as “ALS,” or “amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
- Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)
- Dimensia-related amyloidosis disease
Amyloid plaques, for instance, are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, which affects about 10 percent of the adult population over sixty-five years old in North America. That is because the condition disrupts the ability of microglia to remove them.
Microglia are extremely responsive to even minor alterations in diet, medications, energy levels, and pathological changes in the central nervous system. By stimulating microglia and enhancing their efficiency, gamma light therapy can promote cellular debris removal.
Similarly, misfolded proteins are the precursor to many different diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease have similar amyloid origins.
Misfolded proteins are toxic to cells. As mentioned, they interfere with normal cellular function and communication. They also trigger inflammation, the leading cause of cell damage.
Removing misfolded proteins can restore cellular function and improve overall cell health. This can potentially prevent or slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. It also could go a long way toward improving the symptoms of individuals already affected by these diseases.
By effectively removing cellular debris, microglia help maintain brain health and support optimal brain function. Note that, like every other medical intervention, the effects of gamma light therapy can vary from person to person.
What Does Gamma Light Treatment Entail?
Gamma light therapy is extremely comfortable and easy to conduct. Sessions usually last between 20 and 30 minutes. Whether at home or in a clinic, finding a quiet, relaxing environment is important.
The process involves wearing a headset or goggles that emit the flickering light. Some treatments incorporate sound components, like binaural beats, to further enhance the brainwave entrainment effects. Depending on the patient and the health goals, the headsets will be worn for a particular duration.
Since gamma light therapy deals with rhythms in the brain and body, there is some benefit to consistency in treatments. Performing them at the same time each day may help maximize benefits.
Is Gamma Light Therapy Safe?
Gamma light therapy is generally considered safe for most patients. It emits low-intensity light, so there is no significant chance of eye damage. Using quality equipment properly minimizes such risks.
Gamma light therapy can have some minor side effects. In most cases, it is well tolerated, with occasional incidences of mild headaches, dizziness, and eye strain. These symptoms are almost always temporary and subside quickly.
Note that some individuals with conditions like epilepsy or photosensitive seizures should exercise caution when undergoing gamma light therapy. Pregnant women should also consult their doctor before using the devices.
Finally, it is critical to only use gamma light therapy under the care of a trained administrator. This can ensure you get the best results from the treatment in a safe, controlled manner.
Find Gamma Light Therapy Near You
Now that you understand how gamma light therapy works and the many health benefits it affords, you can determine if it is right for you. Professional holistic providers can further advise you on its uses based on your specific health needs or goals.
Harvest Health Center uses supportive holistic therapies to treat a range of health conditions and challenges. Our knowledgeable, experienced staff includes board-certified nurses, wellness coaches, and best-selling holistic health authors. Reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation at our Bellaire office or to learn more about the benefits of game light therapy.
