Photobiomodulation for

Anxiety

Anxiety is a human emotion characterized by feelings of worry, fear, and unease about future events or uncertain situations. It is a natural response to stress and can motivate individuals to take action and cope with challenges. However, excessive or persistent anxiety can interfere with daily functioning and quality of life, and may be indicative of an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders, affecting approximately 40 million adults in the United States alone.

These disorders are characterized by excessive fear, worry, and anxiety, and can significantly impair a person's daily functioning. Common symptoms of anxiety may include

Excessive worry or fear
Feeling worried or fearful about everyday situations or events, even when there is no apparent threat.

Restlessness or feeling on edge
Feeling constantly restless, agitated, or keyed-up, and having difficulty relaxing.

Irritability
Feeling easily irritated or having a short temper.

Sleep disturbances
Experiencing trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or having restless sleep due to anxious thoughts or feelings.

Fatigue
Feeling constantly tired or lacking in energy, even after adequate rest.

Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
Having trouble focusing, experiencing memory problems, or feeling like your mind is going blank.

Muscle tension
Having tense muscles, trembling, or experiencing physical symptoms of stress.

Avoidance behavior
Avoiding situations or places that trigger anxiety, or engaging in excessive reassurance-seeking behaviors.

Changes in appetite
Experiencing changes in appetite, such as loss of appetite or increased appetite.

Physical symptoms
Experiencing physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, sweating, shortness of breath, or a rapid heartbeat.

Research

Significant reduction in anxiety scores in people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A study by Maiello, M. et al. (2019) showed that there was a significant reduction in anxiety scores in people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) after being treated for 8 weeks with transcranial photobiomodulation. Their sleep also improved and there were no side effects.
Read more

Light therapy improved anxiety symptoms in a study from 2009

A research treated 10 people with anxiety with NIR light therapy, or with a placebo treatment. The results showed that after 2 weeks, 7 out of 10 had improvements in their anxiety symptoms and the patients reported feeling better immediately after the NIR light therapy.
Read more

Significant reduction in anxiety scores in people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A study by Maiello, M. et al. (2019) showed that there was a significant reduction in anxiety scores in people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) after being treated for 8 weeks with transcranial photobiomodulation. Their sleep also improved and there were no side effects.
Read more

Light therapy improved anxiety symptoms in a study from 2009

A research treated 10 people with anxiety with NIR light therapy, or with a placebo treatment. The results showed that after 2 weeks, 7 out of 10 had improvements in their anxiety symptoms and the patients reported feeling better immediately after the NIR light therapy.
Read more

References

1. Maiello, M., Losiewicz, O. M., Bui, E., Spera, V., Hamblin, M. R., Marques, L., & Cassano, P. (2019). Transcranial Photobiomodulation with Near-Infrared Light for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Pilot Study. Photobiomodulation, photomedicine, and laser surgery, 37(10), 644–650. https://doi.org/10.1089/photob.2019.4677. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6818480/

2. Schiffer F, Johnston AL, Ravichandran C, Polcari A, Teicher MH, Webb RH, Hamblin MR. Psychological benefits 2 and 4 weeks after a single treatment with near infrared light to the forehead: a pilot study of 10 patients with major depression and anxiety. Behav Brain Funct. 2009 Dec 8;5:46. doi: 10.1186/1744-9081-5-46. PMID: 19995444; PMCID: PMC2796659. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2796659/