Green Light Therapy
Most of the photobiomodulation research is done with red 600-700nm and near infrared 800-1100nm light, but there are many healing effects from other wavelengths as well. Of all these possibilities, green and blue have the most exciting research. We already discussed blue light in chapter 9, so in this appendix, we'll explore the many research-proven benefits of green and why it is good to also add green to a full body red light therapy bed or panel.
Green is the Peak Wavelength of the Sun
While the sun does not - usually - look green, it turns out its peak wavelength IS in fact Green! The color we see is because when all the wavelengths are seen together it has its typical bright whitish yellowish glow (at sunsets it turns more red because a significant amount of higher frequency / shorter wavelengths is filtered out). Occasionally you CAN see a green flash sunset when the conditions are just right!
But in general, the sun, with a surface temperature of approximately 5,780 K, emits radiation with a peak intensity at wavelength of approximately 0.5 μm (500 nm), which is in the green range of the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Because we have co-evolved with the solar and terrestrial energies and elements it makes sense that green would have such a powerful impact being the peak wavelength.
While the sun does not - usually - look green, it turns out its peak wavelength IS in fact Green! The color we see is because when all the wavelengths are seen together it has its typical bright whitish yellowish glow (at sunsets it turns more red because a significant amount of higher frequency / shorter wavelengths is filtered out). Occasionally you CAN see a green flash sunset when the conditions are just right!
But in general, the sun, with a surface temperature of approximately 5,780 K, emits radiation with a peak intensity at wavelength of approximately 0.5 μm (500 nm), which is in the green range of the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Because we have co-evolved with the solar and terrestrial energies and elements it makes sense that green would have such a powerful impact being the peak wavelength.
Green is the Color of Nature
Recently, several studies published over the past few years found that green light has some amazing properties, including not exacerbating migraine headaches as much as other colors of light, and potentially easing the photophobia (extreme sensitivity to light) of migraine sufferers.
It’s no surprise that the color green could impact humans in such positive ways. Green creates an atmosphere of serenity and calmness, drawing from its reflection in the natural world. And a large body of evidence has shown that spending time in nature, where green is prevalent, is responsible for many measurable beneficial changes in the body.
For example, according to Time magazine, in one study, Yoshifumi Miyazaki, a forest-therapy expert and researcher at Chiba University in Japan, found that people who spent 40 minutes walking in a cedar forest had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is involved in blood pressure and immune-system function, compared with when they spent 40 minutes walking in a lab. And spending time outside is also good for the heart, and it helps with depression [1]. A large June 2016 study also found that nearly 10% of people with high blood pressure could get their hypertension under control if they spent just 30 minutes or more in a park each week.
Recently, several studies published over the past few years found that green light has some amazing properties, including not exacerbating migraine headaches as much as other colors of light, and potentially easing the photophobia (extreme sensitivity to light) of migraine sufferers.
It’s no surprise that the color green could impact humans in such positive ways. Green creates an atmosphere of serenity and calmness, drawing from its reflection in the natural world. And a large body of evidence has shown that spending time in nature, where green is prevalent, is responsible for many measurable beneficial changes in the body.
For example, according to Time magazine, in one study, Yoshifumi Miyazaki, a forest-therapy expert and researcher at Chiba University in Japan, found that people who spent 40 minutes walking in a cedar forest had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is involved in blood pressure and immune-system function, compared with when they spent 40 minutes walking in a lab. And spending time outside is also good for the heart, and it helps with depression [1]. A large June 2016 study also found that nearly 10% of people with high blood pressure could get their hypertension under control if they spent just 30 minutes or more in a park each week.
Green Light - Chromophore Hemoglobin?
Visible green (528 nm) light has been shown to stimulate both the quality and quantity of blood flow. Green is considered the safest of colors and recent studies have suggested that it accelerates wound healing by positively affecting hemoglobin. Research of green has found 528nm green to be effective in cases of neuropathy, diabetes, shingles and acne. Blood based diseases may benefit from green. 528 nm is absorbed into the heme and oxyhemoglobin, supercharging the blood.
Here is a study showing green (and blue) is better absorbed by Hemoglobin (but blue does not penetrate as deep) [2]. For wavelengths shorter than 600nm, melanin and hemoglobin are the key chromophores near the surface. Skin chromophores mainly hemogloblin and and melanin along with bilirubin 460nm - blue (secondarily) [3]. Note the characteristic absorption bands of oxyhemoglobin (415, 542, and 577 nm) and deoxyhemoglobin (430 and 555 nm), as well as the relatively smooth and featureless absorption spectrum of melanin. Both papers.
Visible green (528 nm) light has been shown to stimulate both the quality and quantity of blood flow. Green is considered the safest of colors and recent studies have suggested that it accelerates wound healing by positively affecting hemoglobin. Research of green has found 528nm green to be effective in cases of neuropathy, diabetes, shingles and acne. Blood based diseases may benefit from green. 528 nm is absorbed into the heme and oxyhemoglobin, supercharging the blood.
Here is a study showing green (and blue) is better absorbed by Hemoglobin (but blue does not penetrate as deep) [2]. For wavelengths shorter than 600nm, melanin and hemoglobin are the key chromophores near the surface. Skin chromophores mainly hemogloblin and and melanin along with bilirubin 460nm - blue (secondarily) [3]. Note the characteristic absorption bands of oxyhemoglobin (415, 542, and 577 nm) and deoxyhemoglobin (430 and 555 nm), as well as the relatively smooth and featureless absorption spectrum of melanin. Both papers.
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1. Research shows green is more effective than Red in treating wound and skin applications [4].
In LED light therapy for skin, green light targets dark circles, pigmentation, broken capillaries and sunspots, and as a result could have an impact on skin pigmentation. It also calms irritated or over-stimulated skin [5].
2. Green Light Helps Pain - Green light appears to have two mild pain-relieving effects: it is antinociceptive (analgesic, meaning a pain reliever) and antihyperalgesic (reduces sensitivity to input from the nervous system). Research by Mary Heinricher suggests that light has the potential to engage pain-modulating systems such that normally unharmful inputs are perceived as painful. Her experiments documented substantial light intolerance in patients with fibromyalgia, and raised the possibility that this abnormal photosensitivity could be explained by abnormal engagement of pain-facilitating systems by light [6].
3. Green light therapy for improved sleep - Researchers have found that green light promotes sleep while blue light delays it. In a study conducted by Oxford University, green light produced rapid sleep onset in mice - between 1 and 3 minutes [7].
4. Green light therapy for migraines - Dr. Rami Burstein found that a very special narrow band (520nm +/-10) of green light can help people who suffer from migraine by producing smaller electrical signals in the eyes and brain. This precise band of light’s soothing glow can help them get back to their everyday lives, but interestingly any light outside of that band can actually diminish or even negate the effects. (research below).
Now that you know a few ways green light therapy has been used, let’s explore the science behind one of the most promising areas of research: its impact on migraine.
In LED light therapy for skin, green light targets dark circles, pigmentation, broken capillaries and sunspots, and as a result could have an impact on skin pigmentation. It also calms irritated or over-stimulated skin [5].
2. Green Light Helps Pain - Green light appears to have two mild pain-relieving effects: it is antinociceptive (analgesic, meaning a pain reliever) and antihyperalgesic (reduces sensitivity to input from the nervous system). Research by Mary Heinricher suggests that light has the potential to engage pain-modulating systems such that normally unharmful inputs are perceived as painful. Her experiments documented substantial light intolerance in patients with fibromyalgia, and raised the possibility that this abnormal photosensitivity could be explained by abnormal engagement of pain-facilitating systems by light [6].
3. Green light therapy for improved sleep - Researchers have found that green light promotes sleep while blue light delays it. In a study conducted by Oxford University, green light produced rapid sleep onset in mice - between 1 and 3 minutes [7].
4. Green light therapy for migraines - Dr. Rami Burstein found that a very special narrow band (520nm +/-10) of green light can help people who suffer from migraine by producing smaller electrical signals in the eyes and brain. This precise band of light’s soothing glow can help them get back to their everyday lives, but interestingly any light outside of that band can actually diminish or even negate the effects. (research below).
Now that you know a few ways green light therapy has been used, let’s explore the science behind one of the most promising areas of research: its impact on migraine.
Green Light Therapy Migraine Study
The results were as follows: “When seven episodic migraine and 22 chronic migraine patients were analyzed as separate cohorts, white light emitting diodes produced no significant change in headache days in either episodic migraine or chronic migraine patients.
Combining data from the episodic migraine and chronic migraine groups showed that white light-emitting diodes produced a small but statistically significant reduction in headache days from (days ± SEM) 18.2 ∓ 1.8 to 16.5 ∓ 2.01 days.
Green light-emitting diodes significantly decreased headache days from 7.9 ∓ 1.6 to 2.4 ∓ 1.1 and from 22.3 ∓ 1.2 to 9.4 ∓ 1.6 in episodic migraine and chronic migraine patients, respectively. No side effects of light therapy were reported. None of the patients in the study reported initiation of new therapies.” [8]
Conclusion
There are many good reasons to have green in a full body red light panel or bed. Primary it targets another chromophore - hemoglobin which might one day become a major chromophore in photobiomodulation research (along with cytochrome c oxidase and water). The many research-proven benefits of green include (but are not limited to) wound healing, treating skin disorders, pain relief, migraine care, and more. Devices that have red, near infrared, deep near infrared and green target 3 chromophores, not just 1 or 2 giving these devices a broader and deeper therapeutic edge. Our projection is more and more panels and beds will start to include green (as they should!).
[1] https://time.com/4405827/the-healing-power-of-nature/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6431353/
[3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15414836
[4] https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/beauty/skincare/what-are-led-light-therapies-and-do-they-work-16104
[5] Fushimi, T., S. Inui, T. Nakajima et al. 2012. Green light emitting diodes accelerate wound healing: characterization of the effect and its molecular basis in vitro and in vivo. Wound Repair Regen 20:226–235.
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4794405/
[7] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160608154233.htm
[8] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32903062/
The results were as follows: “When seven episodic migraine and 22 chronic migraine patients were analyzed as separate cohorts, white light emitting diodes produced no significant change in headache days in either episodic migraine or chronic migraine patients.
Combining data from the episodic migraine and chronic migraine groups showed that white light-emitting diodes produced a small but statistically significant reduction in headache days from (days ± SEM) 18.2 ∓ 1.8 to 16.5 ∓ 2.01 days.
Green light-emitting diodes significantly decreased headache days from 7.9 ∓ 1.6 to 2.4 ∓ 1.1 and from 22.3 ∓ 1.2 to 9.4 ∓ 1.6 in episodic migraine and chronic migraine patients, respectively. No side effects of light therapy were reported. None of the patients in the study reported initiation of new therapies.” [8]
Conclusion
There are many good reasons to have green in a full body red light panel or bed. Primary it targets another chromophore - hemoglobin which might one day become a major chromophore in photobiomodulation research (along with cytochrome c oxidase and water). The many research-proven benefits of green include (but are not limited to) wound healing, treating skin disorders, pain relief, migraine care, and more. Devices that have red, near infrared, deep near infrared and green target 3 chromophores, not just 1 or 2 giving these devices a broader and deeper therapeutic edge. Our projection is more and more panels and beds will start to include green (as they should!).
[1] https://time.com/4405827/the-healing-power-of-nature/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6431353/
[3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15414836
[4] https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/beauty/skincare/what-are-led-light-therapies-and-do-they-work-16104
[5] Fushimi, T., S. Inui, T. Nakajima et al. 2012. Green light emitting diodes accelerate wound healing: characterization of the effect and its molecular basis in vitro and in vivo. Wound Repair Regen 20:226–235.
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4794405/
[7] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160608154233.htm
[8] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32903062/
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Add in
So Does Green Light Therapy Work?
After going through 80 studies, I can say for a fact that green light therapy works. In a few areas, good human studies are available, making it extremely likely that there's an effect here. These green light therapy effects are:
Countering different types of (chronic) pain
Boosting blood circulation
Enhancing fat loss
And likely increasing muscle mass, speeding up wound healing, and improving skin quality.
https://www.lighttherapyinsiders.com/green-light-therapy-benefits/
So Does Green Light Therapy Work?
After going through 80 studies, I can say for a fact that green light therapy works. In a few areas, good human studies are available, making it extremely likely that there's an effect here. These green light therapy effects are:
Countering different types of (chronic) pain
Boosting blood circulation
Enhancing fat loss
And likely increasing muscle mass, speeding up wound healing, and improving skin quality.
https://www.lighttherapyinsiders.com/green-light-therapy-benefits/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22380691/
Keratinocyte migration and proliferation was shown to be stimulated by LLLT in vitro (Fushimi et al. 2012; Grossman et al. 1998). In vivo migration of epithelial cells was seen by 48 h, and complete regeneration of the epidermis was found to precede that of controls by 24 h (Gal et al. 2006) (see also Section 50.3).
Keratinocyte migration and proliferation was shown to be stimulated by LLLT in vitro (Fushimi et al. 2012; Grossman et al. 1998). In vivo migration of epithelial cells was seen by 48 h, and complete regeneration of the epidermis was found to precede that of controls by 24 h (Gal et al. 2006) (see also Section 50.3).