The intentional and precise use of specific wavelengths, intensities, and timing of light exposure to therapeutically modulate endogenous biological processes, particularly the circadian rhythm and cellular mitochondrial function. This clinical strategy is employed to optimize sleep-wake cycles, enhance mood, and support cellular energy production through non-invasive light delivery. It is a powerful, yet often overlooked, endocrine regulator.
Origin
This term is derived from the established fields of chronobiology and photobiomodulation, recognizing light as the primary environmental cue for the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the body’s master clock. The concept emphasizes that light is a physiological input, not just a visual one, capable of directly influencing hormonal secretion. It represents a clinical application of light as a therapeutic agent for systemic regulation.
Mechanism
The primary mechanism involves light’s effect on the pineal gland’s secretion of melatonin, where specific blue light wavelengths suppress its release, promoting daytime alertness and anchoring the circadian rhythm. Furthermore, red and near-infrared light can be absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondria, enhancing ATP production and reducing oxidative stress at the cellular level. This dual mechanism allows for both systemic neuroendocrine timing and localized cellular bioenergetic support.
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