At Apex Wellness, we believe that true wellness starts with supporting the body at the cellular level. One area of growing scientific interest is the relationship between red and near-infrared light therapy — also known as photobiomodulation — and brain function.

A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Lasers in Medical Science examined randomized controlled trials on photobiomodulation and cognitive performance. The review included 24 randomized trials with 820 participants and found that photobiomodulation produced measurable benefits in several areas of cognition, including global cognitive function, working memory, attention, and executive-function reaction time.

What Is Photobiomodulation?

Photobiomodulation uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to stimulate biological activity in the body. These wavelengths interact with cells in ways that support energy production, circulation, and cellular signaling.

In brain-focused research, this is often studied as transcranial photobiomodulation, where targeted red or near-infrared light is applied near the head. This is different from general wellness use, but the underlying principle is similar: light interacts with the body in a way that supports cellular function.

Research suggests that red and near-infrared light can influence mitochondrial activity, oxygen use, and blood-flow-related responses. Mitochondria are often described as the energy centers of the cell, and brain cells are especially energy-dependent. When cellular energy systems work more efficiently, the brain is better supported in performing demanding tasks such as memory, focus, and decision-making.

What the Study Found

The 2025 review looked at clinical randomized controlled trials comparing photobiomodulation with placebo or sham treatment. This matters because randomized controlled trials are a stronger form of evidence than opinion pieces, testimonials, or isolated case reports.

Across the reviewed studies, photobiomodulation showed positive effects in several areas:

Global cognitive function
Participants receiving photobiomodulation showed improvements in overall cognitive performance compared with control groups.

Working memory
Working memory is the brain’s ability to temporarily hold and use information. This supports everyday tasks like following instructions, organizing thoughts, problem-solving, and staying mentally engaged.

Attention
The review found improvements in attention-related measures, especially in healthy participants.

Executive function reaction time
Executive function includes higher-level thinking skills such as planning, decision-making, mental flexibility, and task switching. The review found that photobiomodulation improved reaction time in executive-function tasks.

These findings support a growing body of research showing that light-based therapies can play a meaningful role in cognitive wellness. The authors also noted that results should be interpreted with care because the studies varied in design, population, treatment method, and protocol.

Why This Matters for Everyday Wellness

Brain health is not separate from whole-body wellness. Focus, memory, mental clarity, and resilience are influenced by sleep, stress, inflammation, circulation, nutrition, movement, and cellular energy.

Red and near-infrared light therapy fits into this bigger picture because it supports the body’s natural energy and repair systems. The brain uses a large amount of the body’s energy, so supporting cellular energy production is an important part of maintaining cognitive vitality.

This does not mean red light therapy is a cure for cognitive decline or a treatment for neurological disease. It means the science is showing a clear and promising connection between photobiomodulation and cognitive support.

The Apex Wellness Perspective

At Apex Wellness, we view red light therapy as part of a proactive wellness lifestyle. Rather than waiting until the body feels depleted, we believe in creating daily routines that support restoration, recovery, circulation, and cellular health.

The latest research reinforces what makes photobiomodulation so compelling: it works with the body rather than against it. It supports natural biological processes that are already central to health and vitality.

For individuals focused on long-term wellness, red and near-infrared light therapy offers a practical way to support the body’s foundation — including the systems that influence energy, recovery, and mental performance.

What to Keep in Mind

The quality of the device, wavelength, intensity, distance, session length, and consistency all matter. Research protocols are controlled and specific, so results from clinical studies should not be treated as identical to every consumer device or every home routine.

That said, this study adds meaningful scientific support to the growing conversation around light therapy and cognitive wellness. Photobiomodulation is not just a beauty trend or a recovery tool. It is an emerging area of wellness science with measurable effects on how the body and brain function.

Final Takeaway

The 2025 review found that photobiomodulation supports key areas of cognitive performance, including global cognition, working memory, attention, and executive-function reaction time. These findings strengthen the case for red and near-infrared light therapy as a valuable part of a modern wellness routine.

At Apex Wellness, our mission is to help people take a more active role in their health by bringing advanced, restorative wellness solutions into everyday spaces. Supporting the body at the cellular level is one of the most powerful places to begin.

Source: Zhu, Z., Zhang, R., Chi, Y. et al. “Photobiomodulation effects on cognitive function — a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Lasers in Medical Science, 2025.

Wellness note: This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning a new wellness therapy, especially if you have a medical condition or are under medical care.