Red light therapy is more than a skin hack. In this evidence-led interview, neuroscientist Sarah Turner explains how specific wavelengths (esp. 850nm near-infrared) can structure cellular water, fuel mitochondria, and modulate the gut–brain axis—with implications for brain fog, mood, sleep, TBI recovery, and microbiome health. We also separate real photobiomodulation from expensive placebo panels.
What we investigate:
Structured water: Why light can turn intracellular water into a “battery” near hydrophilic surfaces
Mitochondria: How light targets cytochrome c oxidase to boost ATP (and when “more” backfires)
Gut–Brain axis: Using light on the gut to lower neuroinflammation via vagus nerve signaling
Microbiome: Early data showing light can normalize dysbiotic profiles (what’s real vs rodent-only)
Wavelengths that matter: 630/850/940/1070nm—penetration, heating, and when panels mislead
Dosing: Biphasic dose response, 10 minutes daily, why the brain requires low power
Safety & scams: Skin contact vs “glow shots,” reputable specs, and heat risks most ignore
Guest: Sarah Turner (CeraThrive) — pharmaceutical sciences → nutritional medicine → clinical neuroscience
Hosts: Klaudia Balogh & Don Moxley | 90% Healthy Podcast
Study we discussed the 2025 ISMRM: “Effect of Low-Level Light Therapy on Brain Metabolites in Patients with Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury”
Chapters00:00 Why “red light” coverage misses the real science02:58 From drug delivery to light delivery: Turner's path06:44 Structured water: light, membranes, and energy10:12 Mitochondria 101: cytochrome c oxidase & ATP14:35 Biphasic dosing: why 10 minutes beats marathons17:40 850nm vs panels: penetration, heat, and safety21:20 Gut–Brain protocols: vagus nerve & neuroinflammation26:05 Microbiome shifts: what human data might show32:10 TBI & mood: neurogenesis, HRV trends, resilience40:12 Spotting fake devices and “Instagram red glow”49:10 Night routines, eyes closed/open, near-IR before bed53:20 Where to learn more (webinars, research, device specs)
Who's the 90% Healthy Podcast for?
It’s for you who wants to build a resilient body without losing your mind. If you are sick of counting every calorie, tracking too many stats, or not even wanting to start, yet ready to stop feeling just “OK”. Klaudia and Don invite you to build resilient health that bends with real life. No rigid rules. No guilt. Just simple 1% shifts that create a strong foundation, so you can sleep like a baby, perform like a boss. and feel damn good. We cut through the noise, bring you real science (not TikTok trends), and make it easy to understand what works for the long run.
Tune in wherever you listen to your podcasts.
