Potential of Non-Invasive Light Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder

This podcast episode explores the potential of non-invasive light therapy for treating major depressive disorder. Laser therapy, which uses safe light to stimulate positive changes in tissues, has traditionally been cleared only for painful conditions in the United States. However, recent research suggests that light therapy could be effective in treating non-painful conditions like major depressive disorder, addiction, and cognitive decline. By delivering specific wavelengths of near infrared light transcranially, light can penetrate the skull and target brain regions associated with emotion regulation, such as the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Studies have shown that light therapy can be a safe and effective treatment option for major depressive disorder, producing minimal to no adverse effects.