Brain photobiomodulation (PBM) is a non-invasive therapeutic technique involving the delivery of red or near-infrared light photons to the cerebral cortex and deeper brain structures. This application aims to modulate neuronal activity, enhance cerebral blood flow, and improve cellular energy metabolism within the neural tissue. Within the context of hormonal health, optimizing brain function is critical because the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, central regulators of the endocrine system, reside in the brain and control hormonal release via the HPA axis. PBM seeks to support the neuroendocrine regulatory loops that govern systemic hormonal balance.
Origin
The foundation of PBM was established through observations of accelerated wound healing in the 1960s using low-level lasers. The extension of this technology to the brain, termed transcranial PBM, developed later as researchers demonstrated the penetration capability of near-infrared light through the skull and its positive effect on mitochondrial function in neurons. The technique draws from photomedicine and neuroscience, becoming a focused area of research for cognitive and neurological health improvement.
Mechanism
The primary mechanism involves light absorption by cytochrome c oxidase within the mitochondria of neuronal and glial cells, which subsequently increases the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), the cellular energy molecule. This enhanced cellular respiration leads to a cascade of beneficial effects, including the release of nitric oxide (NO), which promotes local vasodilation and improves cerebral perfusion. Increased energy availability and better blood flow support neuronal repair, reduce inflammation in brain tissue, and may help stabilize the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, thereby indirectly influencing systemic hormonal regulation.
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