You may have heard about infrared. But do you know what it is?
Infrared is a form of light. But infrared light has longer wave lengths than our eyes are capable of seeing. So infrared is a case of invisible light. And infrared light is medically useful.
I have been using it in the clinic for many years. It can be effective for cold sores, wrinkles, muscle aches and pains, allergies, hair regrowth, and acne.
But recently scientists started to investigate whether or not it can be helpful with Alzheimer’s.
Researchers headed up by Dr. Abdel Ennaceur of the University of Sunderland in Great Britain have come up with a hat that looks like the top hat that the British have been known to wear. Dr. Ennaceur is testing a helmet that bathes the brain with infrared light. By wearing it for 10 minutes a day, they hope that patients’ memory and cognition will improve in only 10 weeks.
Dr. Ennaceur says, “It [infrared light] is thought to stimulate the growth of cells of all types of tissue.” And that being the case, the doctor thinks it’s reasonable that infrared light could reverse the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. And he’s not alone in this kind of thinking.
According to Professor Harry Whelan of the Medical College of Wisconsin, “Cells have been found to grow 150% to 200% faster than cells not given an infrared bath.” An example of this is the mouth sores that patients often get from chemotherapy. The chemotherapy drugs interfere with the growth of cells, which results in mouth sores.
But when doctors give these patients infrared light for 80 seconds a day for only two weeks, they are able to prevent the sores from developing and also to cause the sores to heal. Dr Whelan also says: “LED infrared light might one day help those who are paralyzed to walk again. It could also prevent certain forms of blindness.” So how does it work?
Infrared works by stimulating cell growth and increasing blood flow and circulation. It’s been found to promote healing of skin, muscle, nerves, tendons, bones, and gums – even to trigger the regeneration of spinal cord tissue. Professor Chukuka Enwemeka at the New York Institute of Technology puts it this way:
“At appropriate wavelengths and doses, it [infrared] is absorbed by molecules inside cells called chromophores. This energy is then converted into a biological form that can be used to heal cells.” Tissues can be triggered to grow back when exposed to certain light frequencies and infrared light is within that “healing range.” And infrared can go deep. As deep as 10 centimeters or roughly 4 inches. So it might just work on brain cells.
But you don’t have to buy an expensive hat to get the same results. Here’s an inexpensive, fun, and healthy way to get a regular dose of infrared: Sunbathe.
The rays of the sun are an excellent source of infrared light. In fact, the infrared rays from the sun account for half of the heat on our planet. And so far, they have not found a way to tax it yet.