“A larger barrier to acceptance, though, has probably been that it simply sounds unbelievable.” -Nasa researcher (1)
Color light therapy is ubiquitous within the wellness community. It can be found in spas, dermatologist offices, inside of most modern saunas, in the clinics of physical therapists, and is used even in dentistry. Yet, still so many individuals chop up color light therapy to be something that is essentially ‘woo-woo’ in nature. The reality is that life on earth, as we know it, exists largely because of light that is emitted naturally from the sun. There is a long history of humans using color and light to heal the body effectively, and with emerging research over the past 60 years there is all of the rigorous scientific evidence necessary to support color light therapy as an effective therapy.
So, why does the use of color light to heal the body still need defense from a wide demographic of nay-sayers? This is mostly because most of us have not evolved out of a Newtonian perspective of the world, and medicine itself, in many respects, is still stuck in a very mechanistic approach. Meaning, the treatment of the body as if it were a vehicle and that required parts exchanged, replaced, or worked on rather than as a fluid and vast network of systems that amount to 30 trillion cells constantly regenerating based on input from the outer and inner world.
If biology can move beyond a mechanistic approach as regenerative medicine is attempting to do, then more individuals will catch up to the wave of truth that light in appropriate dosages can heal the body.
Color light therapy is a well researched topic from reputable institutions such as NASA and a plethora of major universities publishing their findings that are then validated through the peer reviewed journal process, and now gaining greater popularity for mainstream use.
Color light therapy does not need to be defended, but since there remains an aura of mystique, at best, if not complete denial and doubt about its effectiveness as a treatment, it is best to take a close examination of the scientific literature to understand why it is included in nearly every sauna, and why well trained dermatologist include color therapy devices in their clinic.
Color therapy is often referred to as chromotherapy, which is derived from the Greek word for color: chroma or chromatos. If would like to understand more about how color light therapy may be able to improve your physical, emotional, and mental health then dive into the publication from the National Library of Medicine entitled ‘A Critical Analysis of Chromotherapy and Its Scientific Evolution’ (1) as we dissect this paper together in a strategic and conscience manner.
Moving Beyond a Newtonian World View to a Quantum One: What is Color Light?
The sun around which all of the planets in our solar system circulate is the original maker of color. Life on this planet would not be possible if it were not for its exact distance and orientation to the sun. This ‘dose appropriate’ relationship that our planet has to the sun allows for life to thrive. Contained within the sun’s natural radiance is an electromagnetic field or the light spectrum. Much of the light spectrum is invisible to the human eye, but can be felt and experienced as an effect. For example, you may not see UV light but after a long day at the beach in the summer your painful sun burn or glowing tan will demonstrate the effects of exposure to UV light. Color light, while not invisible, also has a direct effect on human physiology.
The sun’s radiance emits frequencies that travel in wave-like movements across space to reach our planet. Each of these wavelengths is like a fingerprint and is unique to specific light frequencies. According to the paper published by the National Library of Medicine entitled ‘A Critical Analysis of Chromotherapy and Its Scientific Evolution’ the authors describe the unique properties of each color wavelength in detail here.
“The wavelength, frequency and quantity of energy of every colorful ray are fixed for each color; that is, a specific wavelength, a certain frequency and a particular amount of energy in that wave have been denominated as a distinct color.” (1)
As color wavelengths mix together they create the subsection of non-primary colors we have come to know and love. Mixing colors is like creating a delicious meal out of separate and distinct ingredients. Instead of using measuring cups to determine volume of ingredients, light is measured using nanometers. Nanometers determine the speed, or height of each wavelength of light. Color light occupies a small range in the total electromagnetic spectrum emitted from the sun. Here is what the authors say about the measurement of color in terms of Nanometers.
“The human eye is sensitive to electromagnetic radiation only at wavelengths roughly between 380 and 780 nm. This small segment is called the visible spectrum or visible light. Visible light can be broken down into numerous electromagnetic frequencies, and frequency relates to a color of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet and all the vibrations thereof.” (1)
These concepts mentioned above are relatively intuitive for most people, but the leap that must be made in order to fully understand how light can heal the body is to bridge the gap between vibration and matter. Ultimately, understanding that there is no gap, and therefore no bridge needed is the goal.
The human body is vibrating at a frequency that allows it to appear as matter, and most medicine treats human biology in this way. Either the body is a machine to be altered by changing and replacing parts or with chemical additives to affect change. To be sure, there is a time and a place where this style of biology can save lives, and there will always be room for this type of medicine. That being said, mechanistic medicine should not silence vibrational healing. Here is what the researchers say about closing the gap between vibration and matter.
“The vibratory rate of a substance determines its density or its form as matter. A slowly vibrating substance is referred to as physical matter, whereas the subatomic (which vibrates at or above the speed of light) is subtle matter or pure light energy. Light is electromagnetic radiation, which is the fluctuation of electric and magnetic fields in nature. More simply, light is energy, and the phenomenon of color is a product of the interaction of energy and matter.” (1)
As the energy of color interacts with the human body that is perceived as matter it elicits dramatically positive changes, which is why color light therapy has become ubiquitous in wellness and healing communities, and why it may be on the ceiling of your sauna!
The authors of this reputable paper succinctly state the importance for medicine to move beyond the distinction between matter and vibration when they write this.
“Simply stated, contemporary medicine examines the symptoms and influences or suppresses them, but it does not involve itself with a real source—diseased life energies. Einstein’s approach deals with the human body not as an assemblage of chemical parts but as a total, complete system operating in harmony with the electromagnetic/energy system of the universe. The key to understanding chromotherapy/vibrational healing lies not in the Newtonian mechanistic approach but in rerouting energy fields that form complex relationships with other fields such as those surrounding the physical/cellular substance and others relating to more non-physical energies.” (1)
With a greater understanding of the need to move from mechanistic health practices to quantum ones we can look at how our ancestors, even without the backing of science, used color and light as medicine.
The History of Color and Phototherapy
There is nothing new about using color therapy or light/phototherapy to heal the body as a medicine. In fact the history of its usage goes back to ancient Egypt and beyond. The use of phototherapy was not limited to the Egyptians but expanded both westward and eastward and included civilizations such as ancient Greece, China, and India. Most likely many more cultures throughout the ages have used chromotherapy, but these sited cultures were unequivocally known to use color light to heal the body. (3)
In modern times the use of light therapy in color, as well as in its infrared light form was largely popularized by the research performed by NASA scientists in the 20th century. An excellent statement made by one such researcher in the publication by NASA entitled ‘NASA Research Illuminates Medical Uses of Light: Experimentation helped demystify, legitimize, and simplify medical uses for long-known but little-understood light therapy’ (1) probably expresses what many people feel about the use of light to heal the body.
“A larger barrier to acceptance, though, has probably been that it simply sounds unbelievable.” (1)
The rigorous research by the scientists at NASA as well as at universities and research facilities across the world has made the powerful treatment of color light therapy accessible to the mainstream. So, how exactly does color light therapy work?
How Does Color Light Therapy Interact With Human Physiology and Health?
- Circadian Rhythm
- Hormone Regulation
- Mood Impressions
- Skin Health
- Pain Relief
- Wound Healing
- Hyperpigmentation
- Blood Sugar Regulation
- Calming Effect on the Nervous System
The research into phototherapy or color light therapy is extensive. Every visible light frequency impacts the body’s health in its own unique way. According to our featured paper ‘A Critical Analysis of Chromotherapy and Its Scientific Evolution’ (2) the researchers emphasize the need for a critical eye when examining how color light therapy may be used in clinical settings.
“We have undertaken a critical analysis of chromotherapy and documented its scientific evolution to date.” (2)
The basic mechanism behind light’s relationship with human physiology is electrical according to the authors of this paper”.
“Colors generate electrical impulses and magnetic currents or fields of energy that are prime activators of the biochemical and hormonal processes in the human body, the stimulants or sedatives necessary to balance the entire system and its
organs .” (2)
There is significant variance on what specifically each color frequency is associated with, except for the color red light frequency which has been studied infinitely more than the other colors.
Color light therapy is used extensively in spas and in dermatology offices for the purposes of improving skin health, quality, and youthfulness. Here are some of the reasons to use color light dermatological purposes.
Benefits for the skin may include:
- Reduction in Photo-Aging
- Acne Treatment
- Reduce Hyperpigmentation
- Collagen and Elastin Enhancement
- Increase Wound Healing
- Limit Excessive Inflammation
According to the peer reviewed journal ResearchGate’s publication entitled ‘Chromotherapy- An Effective Treatment Option or Just a Myth?? Critical Analysis on the Effectiveness of Chromotherapy’ the power of light therapy to heal many serious conditions is accentuated in the author’s statement here:
“The studies have proved that chromo therapy has tremendous effects on diseases like cancer specially breast cancer, hematoma (red), hepatitis B (combination of various lights), hypertension, neonatal jaundice (blue light), spondylosis, peptic ulcer disease (yellow light), depression and stress, migraine (green light), hyperthyroidism (violet/blue light), alopecia (violet), color blindness (blue/ green) and various skin infections specially cutaneous leishmaniasis (blue and red).”
Below is an investigation into some possible benefits of color light therapy that go deeper than the level of the skin.
Blue Light Frequency: Pain Reduction & Rheumatoid Arthritis
“The blue light found to be successful in the treatment of neonatal jaundice has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.” (2)
Pink Light Frequency: Calming the Nervous System
“The frequency of pink light has a tranquilizing and calming effect within minutes of exposure. It suppresses hostile, aggressive and anxious behavior. Pink holding cells are now widely used to reduce violent and aggressive behavior among prisoners.” (2)
Violet Light Frequency: Thyroid Gland Regulation & Alopecia & Chronic Acne (4)
Green Light Frequency: Hyperpigmentation & Depression & Chronic Stress & Migraines (4)
Yellow Light Frequency: Peptic Ulcers & Spondylosis & Increased Energy
Red Light Frequency: Wound Healing & Collagen Production & Hepatitis B (4)
*** Red light therapy is so impactful it is best to visit articles that specifically outline the multitude of health benefits associated with this light frequency.
While more research is needed in order to outline the exact nature of the impact of each color frequency on health, it should be noted that exposure to the full range of color light is indeed deeply impactful for both wounds that are skin deep as well as more serious conditions.
How to Use Color Light Therapy
The dynamic relationship between color light frequency and human health is an ever evolving field. Research into how vibrational frequency can positively affect health does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon. So, if you have access to color light, then it is definitely well worth the effort to use it!
From relieving skin conditions to perhaps healing health issues that run much deeper, it is certainly worth incorporating color light therapy into your sauna sessions if this is available to you. Please note that using the color red in conjunction with a full spectrum infrared sauna will induce photobiomodulation.
You may even choose to turn on your color light therapy in your sauna even if the heat is not on. You can focus on the use of specific color light frequencies depending on what may be going on in your body, or with your skin. You can also find color light devices that are of medical grade in some spas, aestheticians or dermatology offices. It is also possible to derive benefit from color light from the sun when UV light is at its lowest.
Chromotherapy is a very safe and non-invasive treatment. If you have specific health concerns or skin issues and are unsure about using color light therapy then please consult with your medical provider before doing so.
Sources Cited:
- https://spinoff.nasa.gov/NASA-Research-Illuminates-Medical-Uses-of-Light
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1297510/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10513100/
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287196164_Chromo_therapy-_An_Effective_Treatment_Option_or_Just_a_Myth_Critical_Analysis_on_the_Effectiveness_of_Chromo_therapy
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22146-led-light-therapy