New Insights into Brain Protection for Athletes
Forget about creams for wrinkles or treatments for thinning hair. Recent findings indicate that some popular therapies in the U.S., originally aimed at skin health and pain relief, might also play a surprising role in protecting soccer players’ brains from inflammation due to repeated head impacts.
Dr. Shay Dutta, co-director of the Concussion Center at NYU Langone, expressed enthusiasm about this research. “I think this is incredibly groundbreaking,” she mentioned, highlighting its potential impact.
While still untested, experts are hopeful that red light therapy could eventually become a significant advancement in combating chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a serious brain condition linked to repetitive head trauma. Common among athletes in contact sports and military personnel, CTE manifests through symptoms like confusion and memory deterioration, and unfortunately, there’s currently no cure.
Preventing CTE primarily involves minimizing head injuries, typically via helmets. However, with over 100 former NFL players diagnosed posthumously with CTE, there’s a growing call for alternative protective measures.
Dr. Dutta pointed out, “We don’t have enough information to say that using this will prevent CTE. But if you reduce neuroinflammation, that might help, since it’s associated with the long-term effects.”
Exploring Innovative Approaches for Brain Safety
Red light therapy, or photobiomodulation, has been shown in previous studies to reduce inflammation, boost cellular energy, enhance blood flow, and aid in tissue recovery. Researchers at the University of Utah Health examined whether this therapy could also decrease brain inflammation linked to repeated head impacts.
They conducted a study with 26 college football players who received either red light therapy from a special headset or a placebo treatment. Each athlete underwent these sessions three times a week for 20 minutes throughout the season. By the end, MRI scans revealed significant inflammation increases in those receiving the placebo, while the red light therapy group showed no such increase, suggesting protection across multiple brain areas.
Dr. Hannah Lindsay, the study’s lead author, shared her astonishment: “My first reaction was, ‘There’s no way this could be real.'” However, Dr. Dutta, who has researched red light therapy extensively, found the results impressive but anticipated them given the body’s response.
Despite researchers acknowledging that the field of red light therapy is still developing, earlier studies on head injuries have led to growing belief in its effectiveness.
Dr. Elizabeth Wilde, a senior author on the study, admitted to initial skepticism but now sees compelling evidence from various studies. “It’s starting to look very convincing,” she noted. Plus, the non-invasive nature of this therapy is a significant advantage, according to Dr. Dutta, who remarked on the minimal side effects reported.
Yet, before anyone rushes to buy a red light therapy device, Dr. Dutta cautioned that the specific wavelength of red light used in studies is crucial—something not found in typical store-bought products.
As research continues and confirms these findings, specialized red light technologies may find their way into professional sports training regimens.
The researchers are currently pursuing further studies to ensure there are no long-term adverse effects while also exploring broader applications for athletes across all sports. Funded by the Department of Defense, their upcoming trial aims to examine the effects of red light therapy on individuals facing persistent brain injury symptoms, with recruitment set to begin in early 2026.
Dr. Carrie Esopenko expressed optimism that the study’s findings could eventually benefit athletes in various sports, emphasizing a commitment to enhancing safety in sports for all ages. “This feels like part of the hope of protecting the brain that we’ve been looking for,” she concluded.
