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The Light That Changed Everything: My Red Light Therapy Journey ❤️
Red Light 🌹
Back in February — for Valentine’s Day, of all days — my husband surprised me with a red light therapy device (actually, a couple of them!). I had been seeing and reading about these lights everywhere — in gyms, chiropractic offices, online forums, and even in research studies. Over 2,000 published papers talk about the benefits of red and near-infrared light on the body. So, naturally, I was curious.
When I first started using red light therapy, I was feeling sluggish and tired. I was super stressed — running a business, planning a wedding for my daughter, and helping our daughter and new son-in-law build a house (or ADU) on our property. It was a lot! I love what I do so much, and I love sharing everything I learn with you. However, when other things start taking up my time, I struggle to find balance.
You may not realize it, but you feel like my second family. One of my greatest joys is helping you age better, feel happier, and have more energy. My body — which I like to call my smart body — will show up with symptoms as a kind of cry for help, letting me know I’m out of balance. It’s been teaching me for over 24 years through signs of imbalance — sometimes through joy and energy, and other times through tiredness or sickness when I need to pay attention to what I’m doing.
When I first started listening to my body back in 2002, when I was so sick, everything changed. When I prayed for help, that’s when kefir came into my life — and that began a whole cascade of events that never stopped. I can’t believe it’s been 24 years, and I’ve never stopped learning.
So when I started using red light therapy, it felt like my body recognized it right away. Within two weeks, I started feeling so good — I was going to the gym again, losing weight, and feeling brand new. When I went out of town and skipped my sessions for a week, I could feel the difference. My energy dipped, and I missed that radiant, “alive” feeling.
Eight months later, it’s now part of my nightly ritual — and I love it so much. It’s my time of peace and restoration before bed. I feel so good that I’m creating new recipes, workouts, and tools to help you feel amazing too — the kind of “I can’t believe how good I feel” transformation that sneaks up on you in the best way.
What Red Light Therapy Does 🚨
Red light therapy (also known as photobiomodulation) works on your mitochondria, the little powerhouses inside your cells. These lights emit wavelengths of red (630–660 nm) and near-infrared (810–850 nm) light that penetrate your skin and tell your mitochondria to make more ATP — the energy your cells use to function.
It’s like flipping a switch that says, “Wake up and heal!”
When you use it consistently, it can:
- 🔋 Boost energy production at the cellular level
- 💪 Improve muscle recovery after exercise
- ❤️ Support thyroid and hormone balance
- 🌙 Enhance sleep and mood
- 💆♀️ Increase collagen production for smoother, firmer skin
- 🧠 Reduce inflammation and support brain health
- 💡 Elevate metabolism — helping with fat loss and energy levels
Some fascinating reports even show that 50% of people using red light therapy for thyroid issues have been able to reduce or discontinue medication under their doctor’s supervision. That’s huge. [1,2,3,4]
What I’ve Noticed Personally 🌞
What I’ve Noticed Personally 🌞For me, the biggest differences were energy, mood, and metabolism. I felt like my body woke up again — not in a caffeinated way, but in a “this is what wellness feels like” way. My skin glowed, my sleep improved, and I could feel my body recovering faster from workouts.
When I skip it for too long, I notice it right away. It’s like my cells miss that light signal.
If you decide to try it, consistency is key — it’s not a one-time fix, but a steady rhythm of healing. Make sure you get a device with the right wavelengths (red and near-infrared) and enough power output to penetrate deeply.
A Little Light Can Change Everything 🌅
I’m a red light therapy person for life. It made me a believer.
And just like fermented foods feed your microbes, light feeds your cells. When you nourish both, you unlock a kind of health that feels almost effortless — glowing from the inside out.
So here’s my challenge to you: add a little light to your life. Pair it with your kefir, kombucha, or a jar of kraut nearby — and let the healing happen from both the inside and the outside. ✨
🌟 Research and Health Benefits of Red Light Therapy
1. Boosts Energy at the Cellular Level
Red light therapy stimulates the mitochondria, the “powerhouses” of your cells, helping them produce more
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) — your body’s main energy source.[5] This can lead to:
- Increased overall energy
- Better endurance and physical performance
- Faster recovery from fatigue
2. Improves Skin Health and Appearance
RLT promotes collagen production, reduces inflammation, and improves blood circulation [6,7,8] — making it popular for:
- Reducing wrinkles and fine lines
- Healing acne and reducing breakouts
- Fading scars and stretch marks
- Improving skin tone and texture
- Reducing sun damage
3. Supports Weight Loss and Fat Reduction
While not a magic solution, red light therapy has been shown to: [9,10]
- Increase fat cell permeability, helping to release stored fat
- Improve metabolic function
- Support thyroid health, which can indirectly aid weight loss
4. Enhances Muscle Recovery and Performance
Athletes and gym-goers often use RLT because it can: [11]
- Reduce muscle soreness after workouts
- Speed up recovery and healing from exercise or injury
- Improve muscle strength and endurance
5. Reduces Inflammation and Pain
One of the most well-documented effects of red light therapy is its anti-inflammatory power. It’s commonly used to: [12,13]
- Ease joint pain and arthritis
- Reduce chronic inflammation
- Help with nerve pain and conditions like sciatica
6. Improves Sleep and Reduces Stress
Red light, unlike blue or white light, does not disrupt melatonin production. In fact, it may: [14,15]
- Promote better sleep quality
- Help reset your circadian rhythm
- Reduce cortisol levels, easing stress and anxiety
7. Supports Hormonal Health and Thyroid Function
Red light therapy is gaining attention for its role in hormone balance, especially in women. It may: [1,2,3,4]
- Support the thyroid gland (especially in cases of hypothyroidism)
- Improve menstrual health and mood
- Help with symptoms of PMS and menopause
8. Speeds Up Wound Healing and Tissue Repair
RLT helps regenerate skin and tissue, which is why it’s used for: [16,17]
- Healing surgical scars
- Reducing the appearance of wounds or injuries
- Treating diabetic ulcers or slow-healing cuts
9. Improves Cognitive Function and Mood
Some early research shows that red light therapy may help: [18,19]
- Improve focus and mental clarity
- Reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Protect the brain in cases of neurodegeneration
10. Improves Hair Growth
Red light therapy has been FDA-cleared for use in treating hair loss and thinning. It works by: [20,21 ]
- Stimulating hair follicles
- Increasing blood flow to the scalp
- Promoting thicker, healthier hair
🛑 Important Notes
- Consistency is key: Most benefits come with regular use (3–7 times per week).
- Not all devices are equal: Look for clinically-backed wavelengths — typically around
630–660 nm (red) and 810–850 nm (near-infrared). - Talk to your doctor: Especially if you’re managing a medical condition, such as thyroid disorders or photosensitivity.
🌹 Red Light Therapy — The Brand I Use
Many manufacturers produce red light therapy devices, but Bon Charge is the one my husband first purchased, and I am grateful for all it has done for me. I'm sticking with them.
Listen To My Podcast
In this episode, I’ll show you how to turn homemade yogurt into creamy, tangy yogurt cheese—and why the golden liquid that drains off (whey) is one of the most powerful probiotic-rich ingredients you can keep in your kitchen. You’ll learn just how nourishing, versatile, and easy yogurt cheese is to make, and all the ways to use whey to boost your gut health, immunity, and even your garden! It’s simple, healing food—and your body will thank you.
References:
- https://www.annapinnock.co.uk/articles/red-light-therapy-for-hashimotos-and-thyroid-health/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30532779/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22718472/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4355185/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3926176/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10311288/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6099480/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31473867/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39645651/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4355185/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37762594/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10115964/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10608196/?
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28748217/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4148276/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10054229/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9945713/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7253693/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35510860/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8577899/
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