When I was first diagnosed, I wrote down everything I came across that might help. Some ideas felt grounded, others like snake oil. Red light therapy was firmly in the woo woo bucket.
I left it on the list for months. When I finally brought it up with a new GP, I expected her to laugh me out of the room. She did not. She said it might be worth looking into. That was enough for me to take it off my woo woo list and begin seriously digging into the science.
What the science says
ALS is as much about energy as it is about neurons. When mitochondria lose rhythm, ATP drops and oxidative stress rises.
Red and near infrared light can reach tissue and reawaken these small power plants through cytochrome c oxidase. Cells begin making energy more efficiently. Blood flow improves as nitric oxide rises, easing inflammation along the way.
That is the foundation of photobiomodulation.
You will see this therapy referred to by several names: Red Light Therapy (RLT), Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), or Photobiomodulation (PBM). They all describe the same basic idea, using red or near infrared light to stimulate cells, improve energy production, and support repair processes.
The science behind it is surprisingly simple once you strip away the jargon.
How it works in the body
Photobiomodulation uses specific wavelengths of light to trigger biological responses without heating tissue. The most studied wavelengths are 660 nanometres (red) and 810 to 1070 nanometres (near infrared).
The deeper the wavelength, the further light can travel into the body. Red light reaches skin and muscle. Near infrared light can pass through the skull, reaching cortical tissue by a few centimetres.
Inside the cell, photons hit cytochrome c oxidase, a key enzyme in mitochondria. That enzyme acts like a light switch, improving oxygen use and energy production. It is like a small solar panel inside each neuron, and red light clears the dust so it can recharge.
PBM also sets off a cascade of secondary effects.
- Increased blood flow and nitric oxide for better oxygen delivery.
- Reduced oxidative stress, calming inflamed microglia and supporting neuronal repair.
- Boosted neurotrophic factors such as BDNF and NGF, which protect and grow nerve cells.
- Improved lymphatic and glymphatic flow, which may aid in clearing toxic proteins.
All of this supports the theory that red light helps neurons not by doing one thing, but by nudging several broken systems back toward balance.
What this might mean for ALS
The reach of photobiomodulation seems wider than first thought.
It may lift energy in neurons, calm inflammation, support protein cleanup, and strengthen the gut-brain barrier. It may even recruit the body’s own stem cells to help.
Critics are right that most human studies are small, with uneven methods and short follow-up. But safety has been consistent, and early outcomes justify deeper trials. For now, the evidence suggests that light can nudge multiple systems back toward balance. In a disease built on cellular collapse, even a small push toward order feels worth exploring.
Other neurodegenerative diseases
The same cellular pathways that help stressed neurons in ALS are being studied in other conditions too.
Human studies are small but point in the same direction.
In Alzheimer’s research, scientists using 1070 nanometre light watched immune cells clear amyloid plaques and restore blood vessel health. Reviews in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy and Systematic Reviews describe how light can change energy, redox balance, and protein clearance, while calling for larger human studies to refine timing and dose through trials published in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy and the Systematic Reviews Journal.
A twelve-week dementia trial using transcranial and intranasal 810 nm light showed improved memory and mood, with no serious side effects. The full protocol and outcomes are published in Photomedicine and Laser Surgery under the transcranial plus intranasal program.
In Parkinson’s disease, a home-based study with a head-mounted device found light therapy safe and linked to early motor gains in a feasibility trial reported in EClinicalMedicine.
These are early steps, but they fit the same pattern seen in animals.
Bone marrow and stem cells
Beyond the brain, another target is drawing attention, the bone marrow, where many of the body’s repair cells begin.
New evidence suggests that light can reach it.
Researchers found that illuminating bone-rich sites can release stem and progenitor cells into circulation. In one human pilot, an 808 nm session across both tibias increased circulating stem cells within hours, a finding described in Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine & Laser Surgery and archived in the tibial PBM pilot.
Laboratory work with mesenchymal stem cells found that 635 nm and 808 nm wavelengths boosted Akt signalling and pushed cells toward bone-building behaviour, as outlined in Scientific Reports through the stem-cell differentiation study.
A recent overview in Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine & Laser Surgery expanded on how marrow-focused light could drive systemic repair and influence neural recovery, detailed in the marrow repair overview.
The mechanism is elegant. Light activates mitochondria inside marrow cells. Nitric oxide rises. Redox signals shift. Stem cells move into the bloodstream. Once there, they travel to stressed tissue, release growth factors, and begin repair.
Many people with ALS eventually look into stem cell therapy. These procedures often involve resetting parts of the immune system through bone marrow extraction, cell isolation, and reinfusion; sometimes overseas, in clinics that promise regeneration. The costs are high, often $10,000 or far more, and the evidence for benefit in ALS remains absent. Despite the hope, I have yet to see a single case where such treatments produced lasting improvement.
By contrast, using red light therapy to influence stem cell activity is a far gentler and lower-cost approach. The science suggests that photobiomodulation may activate stem cells already inside the bone marrow, helping the body mobilise its own repair systems. It will not cure ALS, but it may help the body prepare and respond more efficiently, a small, steady way to support healing without the risks or costs of aggressive procedures.
My experience
The science gave me enough reason to try, but the lived experience is what kept me using it.
I started with a cheap panel from Amazon, because when you have ALS, waiting feels like death. Diagnosis takes months, appointments take weeks, deliveries drag on, and every day you feel the clock ticking. You just want to try.
While I used that panel, I dug into the research. Wavelengths, spectrums, and where on the body to apply it. I learned about the 1070 nanometre band and bought a baseball cap off Alibaba that had LEDs sewn into it. Then I worried that the hat was not the best fit and the light might not penetrate the skull well enough to reach the brain. That led me to the CeraThrive system, a dual unit that aims to target the gut–brain axis through a headband for the brain and a body panel for the torso.
Shortly after I began using the CeraThrive unit I saw something shift.
I had been holding one of the headband lights against my throat for ten minutes a night. Before that, I had constant throat discomfort, cramps, and sore muscles that felt like someone squeezing my throat every couple of days. It did not affect swallowing, but it was deeply uncomfortable. After about two weeks of red light, the sensation disappeared. Months later, it has not returned. For me, that alone justifies using the device.
Others who own the same unit have reported it helped with swallowing. My experience has been more about throat comfort, but those reports matter too.
These days, I use the device every morning and evening. In the mornings, I use the body panel on my abdomen. In the evenings, I move the same panel across my chest because I want to retain movement and flexibility there for as long as possible.
The headband I use in the mornings targets the forehead, then in the evening it sits across the top of my head as I repurpose the light that normally sits on the back of the skull and hold it against my throat.
Morning sessions are easy. I take my supplements and vitamins for the day while wearing the devices and can move freely while using it. Evenings are slower. I need to hold the light in place, which limits movement, but it is a good moment to unwind. Ten quiet minutes listening to a podcast before bed has become part of my nightly rhythm.
After reading more about how photobiomodulation might influence bone marrow and stem cell release, I decided to expand my setup. I recently ordered a Class 3B laser device from Novaalab that combines four 808 nanometre infrared laser beams with twelve 650 nanometre red laser beams.
The 808 nm light penetrates deep into tissue, while the 650 nm red light supports surface regeneration and circulation. At close range, the device delivers up to 800 mW per cm², tapering with distance, which places it in the same general power range as many laboratory and pilot studies on bone marrow stimulation.
It is worth noting that irradiance numbers published by some manufacturers can be unreliable, since many use low-cost spectrometers or handheld meters rather than laboratory-calibrated tools. I hope that is not the case here, and I may eventually find a way to test the actual output myself for peace of mind.
My plan is to apply it to thin bone areas such as the tibia crest and sternum, the same regions used in research exploring stem cell mobilisation. It is compact, USB-powered, and easy to use alongside the CeraThrive system. By combining both, I can target the brain, gut, and bone marrow in one routine and watch for any subtle changes over time.
As with all of this, I am cautious. I do not expect miracles, but I am curious to see whether these new applications make a measurable difference in energy, recovery, or comfort.
Choosing and using
It helps to divide devices by where they aim: head or body. That way your purpose stays clear.
Head-focused devices
These aim to send light through the skull or nose to reach the brain. Good ones use deep wavelengths, smart geometry, and programmable pulses.
Look for:
- Wavelengths in the 810–1070 nm range
- LED placement over key brain areas (frontal, parietal)
- Pulse modes like 10 Hz, 40 Hz, or adjustable
Examples:
- Vielight Neuro Pro 2 is the latest model launched in 2025. It has 12 adjustable LED modules and lets you select power, pulse frequency, and targeting via a smartphone app. It also includes intranasal modules.
- Vielight Neuro Gamma / Alpha / Duo (older models) use 810 nm NIR LEDs, pulsed at 10 or 40 Hz, often with an intranasal emitter. These have been used in earlier trials.
- CeraThrive CERA System uses a headband that emits multiple wavelengths: 630, 850, 940, 1070 nm. Its LED arrangement is designed to target cortical surfaces deeper inside while also allowing flexibility for pulse programs.
Why head-focused? Near infrared light can penetrate more deeply than red light. Some animal studies with microglia and amyloid show effects around 1070 nm. Matching both wavelength and brain zone gives you a better chance of reaching your target.
Body and systemic devices
Panels, pads, and handheld lasers cover larger areas of the body. They support mitochondria, lower systemic inflammation, and improve circulation. These are useful when you want broad coverage or when testing marrow targets such as the tibia and sternum.
Examples:
- CeraThrive body panel complements the headband in my setup. It targets the torso and gut, which may influence the gut–brain axis and systemic inflammation.
- Novaalab Class 3B laser device combines 808 nm infrared and 650 nm red beams to deliver higher power in a compact format. It is well suited for pinpoint use over bone-rich areas like the tibia or sternum.
- Ideatherapy panels and wearables are well recognized in the industry for their build quality and value. Because you are dealing direct with the manufacturer the lead times can be a little longer.
When comparing devices, focus on wavelengths, power density, and comfort of use. The best option is the one you will use every day with consistency.
Easy selection rules
- Wavelengths. Include NIR (800–1070 nm). 660 red is helpful for superficial tissue.
- Irradiance. Look for clear numbers in mW/cm². Beware vague “high power” claims.
- Session length. Start with 5 minutes per target zone, increasing gradually to 10-15 as tolerated.
- Safety. Use eye protection. Monitor skin warmth. Avoid use over tumours or active implants without medical counsel.
- Consistency. Daily or near daily use outperforms sporadic bursts.
Red light therapy is low risk. Some users report mild warmth or fatigue. It should never replace standard medical care. Consult your doctor if you have implants, cancer, or other complex conditions.
CeraThrive discount. The team provided a code for StackDat readers. If you try their system, use stackdat15 at checkout on their product page. I do not gain from this. I asked for it so readers get fairer access.
The bigger question
There is a fine line between hope and hype. People with ALS / MND live in that space every day.
The truth is that many therapies that make sense in theory will never show up in a clinic. But that does not mean we should dismiss them. It means we need better ways to evaluate them, ways that combine lived data, not just lab data.
That is one of the reasons I built StackDat. It allows people with ALS and their caregivers to track interventions such as red light therapy alongside everything else, including supplements, medications, symptoms, and scores. The goal is to see what is working, what is not, and where patterns start to emerge.
If researchers and communities worked together, this kind of real world data could help identify early signals faster than traditional trials ever could.
Final thoughts
Red light therapy is not a cure. It is not proven in ALS. But the mechanisms make sense, the early signs are encouraging, and the risks are low. For me, the difference it made to my throat was real. For others, it may help in different ways. For some, it may do nothing at all.
That uncertainty is frustrating. But in a disease with so few options, pulling any lever that might extend quality of life feels worth it.
If the issues, energy deficiency and choked neurons, sound familiar, it is because I wrote about them in another post on autophagy and ketogenic diets: Ketogenic diet and ALS: my take, not a prescription. If you cannot safely pursue those dietary changes, red light therapy may offer a lower risk profile to aim at the same pathways.
If, like me, you do not have time to wait years or decades for the research to catch up, there is enough promise behind red light therapy to make it worth your attention and maybe, like me, your time.
