Light does more than let us see. It sets our internal clocks and reaches all the way down to the mitochondria. Dr. Ryan Cole examines how different wavelengths shape circadian biology and cellular energy, the scientific rationale and dosing behind photobiomodulation as a therapy, and its effects on cell signaling and the body’s protective pathways. He traces the field from its history to where the research is heading, making the case for light as a serious, evidence-informed tool rather than a novelty.

Learning objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the impact of different light-wavelength exposures across indoor, work, school, hospital, and other environments on human circadian biology, and the importance of light timing for optimal sleep-wake cycles and other health parameters, in order to teach patients good light-hygiene practices.
2. Understand how different wavelengths of visible and non-visible light affect cellular energy at the level of the mitochondria, and how to apply light-device modalities as potential therapy across many clinical conditions.
3. Understand how light-therapy dosing is currently proposed based on in vitro and in vivo studies, the scientific rationale behind different wavelengths, the treatment-time recommendations and calculations indicated for biologic effect, and cautions for excess dosing.
4. Understand the proposed benefits of therapeutic light wavelengths on cytokine and cell-signaling pathways, cellular protective enzymes, and cell-cycle pathways in many infectious organisms.
5. Understand the history of photobiomodulation in medicine, the breadth of light-therapy applications in the peer-reviewed literature, current uses, and the future of photobiomodulation research as potential therapy.