The future wave of modern healthcare appears to be in regenerative medicine. This vast topic of research includes many approaches both ancient and modern. At its foundation regenerative medicine relies on natural human biology to heal itself. By harnessing the healing power of the body to intelligently organize itself into a balanced and high functioning machine the field of medicine may find liberation. The use of sauna, heat, and light to effectively change cellular composition is one form of non-invasive regenerative medicine.
A 2024 review was published by Science Direct that focuses on how infrared light will ultimately shape regenerative medicine both presently and in the years to come. This review highlights over 25 illnesses that can be treated with dose appropriate exposure to infrared light, including with infrared sauna. By consolidating biochemical changes that occur cellularly as well as intracellularly in response to infrared light it becomes apparent why infrared light is a centerpiece of regenerative medicine.
Find out the basics of how infrared light interacts with your body to produce positive regenerative changes to help prevent and treat major diseases. Furthermore, use this new found understanding to begin using infrared light from home as regenerative medicine. Ultimately, become the healthiest version of yourself by incorporating exposure to infrared light regularly and join in the wave of regenerative medicine without adding or subtracting anything from your body.
Regenerative medicine really is the hope and the dream for the future of health care: From rehabilitating teeth, to inducing healthy cellular turnover, to prolonging healthspan- the ability to harness the body’s natural healing mechanism is the ideal form of medicine. The process of summoning the human body’s healing resources as the medicine itself, will rely on both the innate ability of human physiology married to modern science.
What is Regenerative Medicine?
The body’s natural ability to heal itself is truly spectacular. When a closer examination of these properties is made one may even say that it is miraculous. At its core regenerative medicine is simply an approach that harnesses the body’s innate capacity to heal itself. When something as simple as a paper cut occurs on the tip of a finger the army of the body’s resources are summoned to begin healing immediately.
Big or small the body naturally seeks to heal wounds, disease, and illness to quickly and readily assume homeostasis as soon as possible. Health is a natural condition, and disease is derailing from this pivot point of normal. Regenerative medicine seeks to put the body back on the track of health.
According to a paper published by the National Library of Medicine entitled ‘Regenerative medicine: Current therapies and future directions’ (1) regenerative medicine is defined by the authors when they write this.
“The body’s innate healing response may also be leveraged to promote regeneration…” (1)
While the paper does go on to discuss the fact that as humans age their capacity for rejuvenation slows down markedly. The goal of regenerative medicine is to lean into tools and protocols that focus on summoning the body’s natural healing capacity to heal itself.
An excellent example of regenerative medicine is the use of saunas. By purposely subjecting the body to controlled levels of heat, many biological processes begin to occur on their own without adding or subtracting anything to the milieu of the physical body. For instance, the production of Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) occurs naturally in the body but is amplified in a sauna with exposure to higher heat than normal.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research further defines regenerative medicine in their paper entitled simply ‘Regenerative Medicine’ (2) when the authors write this.
“Regenerative medicine harnesses the body’s growth mechanisms and healing properties to repair or replace damaged cells, tissues, or organs.”
Regenerative medicine holds special promise in the fields of dentistry with the hope of finding ways for teeth to regenerate from their own cell type. Stem cell research also falls under the same category as regenerative medicine, as does research into the field of growing entire organs outside of the human body. Not all regenerative medicine is as avant-guard, in fact much of it is a return to a more natural approach to healing with a coupling to modern science.
The use of light and thermal therapies has taken a front seat in the field of regenerative medicine for its lack of invasive properties as well as its efficacy in healing the body. A ground breaking review of the use of far infrared light in the field of regenerative medicine was published in journal Science Direct which illuminates a bright future for the use of light to heal the body of both minor and major diseases.
Far Infrared Light Changes Biochemistry Using Four Primary Mechanisms
The sun emits a field of light every day that it shines, and life on earth would not be possible without the sun. Every frequency of light waves that radiate out from the sun has the ability to sustain and maintain life and health. It is no coincidence that the ability to harness specific light frequencies found naturally in the sun can and do heal the body. A very special and extremely powerful wavelength of light is infrared frequency. This invisible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum exists just next to the vibrant color red.
In fact, sometimes these two wavelengths can be paired together to create the healing response known as photobiomodulation. In 2024 a group of researchers put together a review of many different findings on the therapeutic usage of infrared light in regenerative medicine. The well renowned journal Science Direct published this article ‘Far-infrared radiation and its therapeutic parameters: A superior alternative for future regenerative medicine?’. (3)
The authors consolidate all known peer reviewed research on infrared light and regenerative medicine to create a well established foundation for its use in both chronic and acute conditions. The authors make it very clear that exposure to infrared light can help maintain healthy cellular conditions, reduce inflammation, and ensure that a clean intracellular atmosphere is maintained over time. In doing so many serious diseases could in fact be resolved or even prevented. Moreover, the authors state that the use of infrared light is non-invasive and easily available for most people with little to no negative side effects.
There are four major ways that infrared light (FIR) works to affect positive change in the human body.
Transdermal Access– Infrared light is a slow moving frequency which allows it to move beyond the initial layers of skin into the soft tissues of the body.
“Transdermal feature. FIR energy penetrates subcutaneous tissue and reaches certain depths, influencing atomic and molecular levels.” (3)
Resonance Action– Infrared light powerfully interacts with water molecules as seen in both oceanic research as well as in human medicine.
“Resonance feature. FIR photon energy facilitates interactions between biomolecules and cells, activating water molecules by breaking or forming molecular bonds.” (3)
Heat the body Up– Far infrared light has the power to heat the body up. While this spectrum of light is invisible to the human eye, it can be experienced as heat and therefore shares many of the same medicinal uses as a traditional sauna, for example the ability to place heat stress on the body and augment HSP production.
“Thermal features. FIR, perceived as heat through the skin’s thermoreceptors, penetrates subcutaneous tissue, acting on deep tissue to generate and dissipate heat, resulting in an organic reaction.” (3)
Non-Thermal Applications– Infrared light has been used to study potential illness using Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC). This holds potential for further discoveries of the use of infrared light in other regenerative medicine fields.
“Non-thermal features. The absorption of other FIR components can stimulate biological regulation in HUVECs.” (3)
*Please note that Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) is commonly used in research because it contains essential human cells that dictate how certain portions of the body will respond to specific stimulus from pharmacological approaches, to light, and many other potential treatment modalities. (4)
Infrared light does not only affect the body through heat, but also through its ability to affect positive molecular change in the body. This slower wavelength allows for the light to pass beyond the skin and into the soft tissues of the body. Due to the fact that the body is made up mostly of water molecules, the relationship that infrared light has with water allows it to positively affect the body efficiently.
Both far infrared light as well as near infrared light can both be used to positively alter cellular composition; their effect on the body however, is not altogether the same.
What is the Difference Between Infrared Light Therapy and Photobiomodulation?
Photobiomodulation has become a popular therapy in recent years and can be seen in a variety of tools available for commercial consumption. Photobiomodulation is a therapy that combines the light frequency from red light and near infrared light to positively alter mitochondrial metabolism, wound healing, and many other physical repairs.
While there are certainly overlapping benefits between infrared light therapies and photobiomodulation they are not entirely the same. The authors of the 2024 publication in Science Direct write this about their differences.
“FIR therapy shares similarities with photobiomodulation therapy, but it falls outside the scope of traditional photobiomodulation. FIR therapy represents living cells’ metabolic and cellular response to FIR energy photons. Unlike photobiomodulation therapy, FIR is an invisible light that the eye cannot perceive. In contrast, photobiomodulation typically involves the perception and regulation of visible-spectrum light and invisible-near infrared light.”
Ideally, individuals would have access to both red, near infrared, and far infrared light to affect positive biological changes in the body. All three of these light frequencies occur naturally in the sun’s radiance.
What Does The Future Look Like For Regenerative Medicine and Infrared Light
- Influencing of biological behavior of cells
- Exerting anti-inflammatory effects
- Reducing Oxidative Stress
- Enhancing Mitochondrial Function
- Promoting Angiogenesis (3)
Exposure to far infrared light in dose appropriate quantities can potentially heal many diseases, both serious and even life threatening. According to the research consolidated by the authors of the Science Direct publication ‘Far-infrared radiation and its therapeutic parameters: A superior alternative for future regenerative medicine?’ There are 5 major ways that infrared light can affect change in the body.
Far infrared light can potentially heal countless diseases by relying on its ability to positively alter 5 primary biological functions as outlined by the authors here.
“FIR involves five significant mechanisms: influencing the biological behaviors of cells, exerting anti-inflammatory effects, mitigating oxidative stress, enhancing mitochondrial function, and promoting angiogenesis.” (3)
By simply nudging these 5 primary biological changes it is possible to positively affect over 24 known diseases positively. These diseases of the body can be categorized into 6 different categories.
- Nervous System Diseases: Alzheimer’s Disease, Spinocerebellar Ataxia, Memory Impairment, Acute Restraint Stress
- Cardiovascular DIseases: Cardia Ischemia Cardiomyopathy, Heart Failure, Coronary Artery Disease
- Inflammatory Diseases: ARDS, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Inflammatory Hyperalgesia, Recurrent Peritonitis
- Orthopedic Diseases: Wound Healing, Arthroscopic RCT, total knee replacement, myofascial pain
- Angiogenesis-related diseases: Recurrent Obstructive Lesions, arteriovenous fistula, cisplatin-induced vascular damage
- Others: Diabetes, Dermal Diseases, oncological care (3)
Please observe the pictorial demonstration for a comprehensive viewing (3):
This is a tall order of potential illness that can be cured, or treated with infrared light. There is huge potential to incorporate infrared light exposure into regenerative medicine to treat an array of illnesses. The healing process for many of these begins with addressing mitochondrial function, reducing oxidative stress, and minimizing inflammatory factors.
So, besides the sun, how can individuals access this healing light spectrum easily, but also effectively? Consider a far infrared sauna as seen in Waon therapy.
How To Harness Far Infrared Light to Benefit Your Regenerative Health Protocol at Home: ‘Waon Therapy’
After reading all of the possible benefits available through exposure to infrared light it is unlikely that many people would resist accessing this frequency. According to the authors of ‘Far-infrared radiation and its therapeutic parameters: A superior alternative for future regenerative medicine?’, the popular Woan therapy is one way to receive treatment from infrared light. The authors write this about Woan Therapy.
“FIR dry sauna therapy, often known as “Waon therapy,” is also widely used. In this therapy, FIR rays directly heat the body without relying on air as a heat transfer medium.” (3)
Waon therapy uses an infrared sauna to treat its patients and is widely used as well as studied across Asia. This therapy capitalizes on the transdermal effect of infrared light to increase internal body temperatures to higher than what could be achieved, maintained, or sustained in a traditional sauna that heats the air of the chamber up. Waon therapy is also known for its gentle approach of resting directly after a sauna while wrapped in a warm blanket, and perhaps returning to the sauna after a 30 minute break or rest, but not using the harsh treatments of contrast therapy.
A paper published by science direct entitled ‘Waon therapy improves the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure’ (5) defines Waon therapy when the authors write this.
“Waon therapy is defined as “therapy in which the entire body is warmed in an evenly heated chamber for 15 min at a temperature that soothes the mind and body, and after the deep-body temperature has increased by approximately 1.0–1.2 °C, the soothing warmth is sustained by maintaining the warmth at rest for an additional 30 min, with fluids supplied at the end to replace the loss from perspiration.” (5)
If you are interested in using Waon therapy at home or in your local spa there are a few critical components that you will need to include.
- Use of far infrared sauna
- Have warm blankets and a rest station available
- Prepare re-hydrating beverages ahead of time
- Monitor internal temperature rather than external temperature
Following the Waon method is simple and easy to do from home and is also an excellent way of accessing many of the healing benefits of infrared light. You do not need to go to a special clinic to receive the benefits of regenerative medicine, but rather follow a few basic protocols and you can do this from home.
Gentleness is key when using the Waon method. Remember that you are merely allowing the light to work its magic, and more healing will not occur by doing more but by allowing the body to do what it does best: Oscillate back to states of homeostasis and health. Remember that just 15 minutes in an infrared sauna should be sufficient to reach your ideal internal temperature for effecting biological change, and that your focus should be on raising your internal temperature rather than the measurement of the air around you. Please be sure to take time to rest after your sauna session and maintain an elevated core temperature. As always, stay well hydrated with plenty of electrolytes.
You don’t have to cross borders or go to avant-guard clinics to receive the benefits of regenerative medicine, in fact a leader in this field, infrared light, is available in the sun naturally, and in any infrared sauna. So, ride the new wave of healthcare and get into the infrared wavelength of regenerative medicine to achieve your optimal health.
Sources Cited:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4664309/#:~:text=Regenerative%20medicine%20has%20the%20potential%20to%20heal,certain%20types%20of%20cancer%2C%20and%20more%20(1%E2%80%933).
- https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/grants-funding/funded-research/research-investments-advances/regenerative-medicine
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043661824002949
- https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/3/938
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0914508708003286#:~:text=Waon%20therapy%20is%20defined%20as,warmth%20at%20rest%20for%20an