The word radiation can sound alarming for some folks, but the reality is that all natural light is a form of radiation. The entire light spectrum is radiation from the sun, and without life on earth as we know it would not be possible. What needs to be determined for safety is whether the radiation is ionizing, or not. By fearing all forms of radiation you may be missing out on critical factors that could widely enhance your health and inhibit diseases, for example, infrared radiation.
The plethora of research that has been conducted by rigorous institutions and by some of the leading scientists in the world have demonstrated that exposure to infrared light is not only safe, but potentially critical for health and longevity.
On the other hand, it is important to avoid ionizing radiation as this can damage health. The key is to understand the difference between types of radiation so that you can remain safe, but also able to amplify health.
Life on planet earth could not be possible without the radiation from the sun, and if an individual avoids the sun for any length of time illness and disease eventually ensue. Understanding how the sun’s radiance works in a general sense allows an individual to capitalize on healthy wavelengths such as infrared light while minimizing exposure to less health enhancing light, for example UV light that damages the skin with excessive exposure.
Fearing radiation is akin to fearing water. While it is true that there are many different ways to experience water, without it life would not be possible. Clean drinking water is necessary for life as well as necessary to grow food. It is also possible to bathe safely in the sea at some times, and in some places, but the ocean can also become dangerous, just as unclean water can be lethal for drinking. Begin to understand that radiation in its essence is not dangerous, but rather a necessary part of life on planet earth and begin to discern what type of radiation is harmful, and what type heals the body.
What is the Difference Between Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation?
Radiation exists nearly everywhere from both natural sources as well as artificially created sources. Radiation is a form of energy that moves through space as wavelengths and literally radiates out from its original source.
The sun’s natural radiation includes the entire electro-magnetic field, including ultraviolet light, the color light spectrum, as well as infrared light. A certain amount of exposure to ionizing light, such as ultraviolet light is important for health, but only in very small doses. Ultraviolet light is a very fast moving frequency and can remove electrons from atoms, and the speed at which this light is transmitted can ultimately alter the expression of skin cells.
The fast moving, short light frequencies are ionizing, while non-ionizing light begins at the visible color spectrum. So, as soon as you can see a color it can be considered to be within a healthy range for exposure. Light waves begin to slow down as they cross through the visible color frequency which would make red a much slower frequency than blue, for example. Just on the other side of red light are near, mid, and far infrared light and these frequencies move very slowly through space and are non-ionizing, meaning they do not move quickly enough to cause electrons to be removed from atoms. (1)
The dividing point of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation is specifically between ultraviolet light and visible color light. According to an article published by the CDC entitled ‘About Non-Ionizing Radiation’ (1) ionizing radiation is defined in this way.
“Ionizing radiation is a form of energy that acts by removing electrons from atoms and molecules of materials. These materials include air, water, and living tissue. Ionizing radiation can travel unseen and pass through these materials.” (1)
Ionizing radiation can damage the skin with overexposure and is under 400 nanometers (the measurement for light), so all ultraviolet light is ionizing radiation.
When using any type of phototherapy it is important that it is non-ionizing and that it exists within a healthy range for humans. This means from 400 nanometers to about 1250 nanometers is the range that an individual should look for when attempting to enhance health with radiation.
Non-ionizing radiation is described both in words as well as in a pictorial demonstration from the same CDC article here.
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“On the left side of the electromagnetic spectrum are radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, and visible light. Non-ionizing radiation differs from ionizing radiation in the way it acts on materials like air, water, and living tissue.” (1)
There is radiation all around us, all of the time, and the real question is how to limit exposure to unhealthy radiation while augmenting exposure to healthy forms of radiation. This question could be left ignored, however the reality is that over the last century and a half a growing body of research demonstrates the extreme value to health with exposure to specific frequencies of light.
Capturing radiation that includes color light to far infrared light can be done naturally, as well as artificially. Going outside earlier or later in the day will help to avoid high intensity UV light and help to gain greater exposure to infrared light. Choosing the time of day to spend outside is very important when avoiding ionizing light, or when looking to amplify non-ionizing radiation.
It is not only that infrared light is safe, it is that this particular spectrum of light has the ability to improve health, from eye sight and even to the maintenance of blood glucose levels. Beginning to understand specific frequencies of light as medicine will change the nature of healing modalities entirely.
How Exposure to Infrared Light Can Enhance Longevity and Health Span
- Mitochondrial Health
- Age Related Macular Degeneration
- Balance Glucose Levels
- Counter the Negative Effects of Blue Light & LED Light With Exposure to Infrared Light
Not only is infrared radiation not something to be feared, but rather a frequency that should be sought after to enhance many aspects of health. It is possible to enhance full body health with habitual exposure to infrared light, especially near infrared light by improving mitochondrial function. Additionally, intentional exposure to infrared light may improve vision, help to regulate glucose levels, as well as counter the negative effects of exposure to blue and LED light.
Mitochondrial Health
The mitochondria exist in every single cell of the human body and are considered to be the energy plant of the cell, or the organelle responsible for energy conversion. Useable energy in the human body is ATP and in order for this to be produced, the mitochondria must be functioning at a high level. As mitochondrial function declines, so too does the health of the whole body. (2)
Dr. Glen Jeffery is the world leading scientist on infrared light and its impact on human health. His research includes decades of work on the visual cortex, light, and mitochondrial health. In his paper ‘Longer wavelengths in sunlight pass through the human body and have a systemic impact which improves vision’ (2) published in July of 2025 he describes the basic relationship between infrared light and mitochondrial succinctly here.
“Long wavelength red light that can extend beyond the human visual range penetrates deeply through biological tissue. Exposure to these longer wavelengths improves mitochondrial function and ATP production. This can translate to improved physiological performance, particularly in the CNS, including the visual system.” (2)
The specific phototherapy involved in positively affecting mitochondrial metabolism with red and near infrared light is called photobiomodulation. When infrared radiation enters the body it scatters, which means that even if only one portion of the body is exposed to infrared light, the entire body will benefit. (2) This is exciting news, for those receiving their infrared light directly from the sun, or in an infrared sauna or any other artificial manner.
Furthermore, enhancing the health of the mitochondria who receive infrared light easily into their cytoplasm are able to convert this light energy into real usable energy for the body in the form of ATP. The better the mitochondria function, the healthier the whole body will be.
It happens that in the retina there is a higher density of mitochondria than in any other portion of the body. This indicates that exposure to the correct range of radiation has an even higher benefit to the visual cortex than other organs in the body potentially.
Improve Visual Health With Exposure to Infrared Radiation
Among the first signs of aging is macular degeneration, or worsening of the ability to see, particularly for the purposes of reading. Surprisingly, exposure to dose appropriate infrared light can actually reverse the effects of age related vision loss. As we learned earlier the density of mitochondria in the retina is higher than in any other area of the body. Given how well mitochondria respond to red and near infrared light it makes sense that vision, after exposure to infrared light can actually be improved!
According to the paper ‘Longer wavelengths in sunlight pass through the human body and have a systemic impact which improves vision’ (2) the authors write this about infrared light’s positive effects on macular degeneration.
“We then select a prominent transmitted solar wavelength range (830-860 nm) and deliver this to the thorax of subjects in the lab in controlled 15 min exposures with and without ocular involvement. Clothing reduced wavelength intensity but was not a barrier. These exposures were associated with significantly improved visual function when measured 24 h later even in subjects in which light was blocked from the eyes.” (2)
This means that even if their eyes are covered, exposure to infrared light can positively improve vision. Why? Once infrared light enters the body it begins to scatter, and since there are mitochondria in every cell, each cell benefits from the scattered particles of infrared light.
If you ever felt that losing your eyesight was an inevitable portion of the aging process then remember that even a short amount of exposure to infrared light can positively affect eyesight and potentially reverse age related eyesight decline!
Balance Glucose Levels With Infrared Radiation
Shockingly, it is possible to balance glucose levels with exposure to infrared radiation. This is yet another reason to not fear non-ionizing radiation, but rather to seek it out in appropriate doses. Exposure to near infrared light is an excellent non-pharmacological means of balancing glucose levels.
In a paper published by the University College of London entitled ‘Red light can reduce blood glucose levels’ (3) the authors describe the incredible findings; that it is possible to regulate glucose levels through near infrared light alone.
“The researchers found that 670 nm red light stimulated energy production within mitochondria, the tiny powerhouses within cells, leading to increased consumption of glucose. In particular, it led to a 27.7% reduction in blood glucose levels following glucose intake, and it reduced maximum glucose spiking by 7.5%.” (3)
Not only did the research find that near infrared light was successfully able to regulate glucose levels in healthy individuals, it also appears to help in some cases of diabetics.
“While the study was conducted in healthy individuals, the non-invasive, non-pharmacological technique has the potential to have an impact on diabetes control after meals, as it can reduce damaging fluctuations of blood glucose in the body that contribute to ageing.” (3)
Beyond improving glucose levels for those living with diabetes, it appears that exposure to near infrared light can also improve longevity and healthspan, as well as lifespan.
“Mitochondria provide energy for vital cellular processes, using oxygen and glucose to produce the energy-rich nucleoside adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Previous research has established that long wavelength light between approximately 650-900 nm (spanning the visible through to the near-infrared range) can increase mitochondrial production of ATP which reduces blood glucose and also improves health/lifespan in animals.”
Just small doses of infrared light may potentially improve both healthspan and lifespan. Rather than fearing all radiation, learn to discern between the healthy kinds that will elongate your life and the unhealthy kinds that may shorten it.
Reverse the Negative Effects of LED Light with Exposure to Infrared Light
Sadly, LED lights are used ubiquitously in businesses, schools, and even homes in our present day. This particular frequency of light in small doses is not hugely detrimental to health, however many hours a day can begin to damage health in a myriad of ways. If you are unable to use halogen lights in your office at work, school, or in your home, then remember that it is possible to reverse the damaging effects of ‘blue light’ to the retina, with exposure to infrared light.
According to a paper published in the Journal Biophotonics entitled ‘Near infrared spectroscopy reveals instability in retinal mitochondrial metabolism and haemodynamics with blue light exposure at environmental levels’ (3).
Even a small amount of exposure to blue light as seen in the common LED lights in businesses and homes can cause retinal damage. The authors of the above mentioned paper write this.
“One hour environmental exposure to 420 nm induces significant metabolic instability in retinal mitochondria and blood signals, which continues for up to 1 h post blue exposure.” (3)
While many people must fight the uphill battle against LED light, the very good news is that it takes minimal exposure to infrared light to reverse the damage of this short wavelength light on vision as well as other aspects of health.
Spending just 15-20 minutes in the direct sunlight at the end of the day when infrared light is at its highest, or time in an infrared sauna can so positively affect the mitochondria that it is possible to reverse the damage caused by exposure to LED lights.
Infrared Radiation is Not Microwave lengths
While ionizing radiation can be dangerous to the skin, most non-ionizing radiation from the visible color spectrum through far infrared light is more than safe, it actually enhances health. Some non-ionizing radiation such as that found in a microwave is not healthy for humans. Infrared light is not in the category of microwave heat and cannot damage cells nor the body in the same way. Even when infrared light is synthesized into an artificial container the finger print of infrared light remains safe for humans. So, if you are afraid of microwave energy you probably have good reason, but remember infrared light has shorter frequencies of wavelengths than microwaves.
Take a look at this pictorial demonstration again so that you have a visual context:
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Using Infrared Radiation From Home To Enhance Health
Remember, like water, radiation is a necessary portion of life on planet earth. Without it human life would not be possible, but like water at times radiation can be dangerous. Learn to discern between healthy radiation and unhealthy radiation. Limit exposure to unhealthy radiation such as too much UV light or hours under LED light, and enhance your exposure to infrared light.
By spending more time with infrared light you can improve overall energy production in the cells by supporting mitochondrial health, improve vision, balance glucose levels, and repair damage caused by unhealthy forms of radiation.
You can receive your infrared light naturally from the sun by going outside in the direct line of the sun in the morning or in the evening (once the UV light is low) and spend 20 minutes bathing in the sunlight. You can also use a near infrared light device, or a full spectrum infrared sauna. This type of sauna uses both red, near infrared, as well as far infrared light and ensures that you will be capitalizing on the healthiest band of radiation available to humans.
If you choose to use a full spectrum infrared sauna to improve your health, remember that you do not need to set the temperature very high to benefit from infrared light. It is fine to set the temperature from 105-120 degrees Fahrenheit and spend 20-40 minutes inside your sauna.
Do not fear the radiation, just learn about what types are healthy for humans and what types may harm humans.
If you are living with any specific health concerns then please consult your primary care practitioner before using a full spectrum infrared sauna.
Sources Cited:
- https://www.cdc.gov/radiation-health/about/non-ionizing-radiation.html
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/393511800_Longer_wavelengths_in_sunlight_pass_through_the_human_body_and_have_a_systemic_impact_which_improves_vision
- https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2024/feb/red-light-can-reduce-blood-glucose-levels
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S019745801200262X
- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Pardis-Kaynezhad/publication/357784285_Near_infrared_spectroscopy_reveals_instability_in_retinal_mitochondrial_metabolism_and_haemodynamics_with_blue_light_exposure_at_environmental_levels/links/61efcc2e8d338833e3944d89/Near-infrared-spectroscopy-reveals-instability-in-retinal-mitochondrial-metabolism-and-haemodynamics-with-blue-light-exposure-at-environmental-levels.pdf