What if a specific form of light therapy could help clean your brain ? Well, new 2025 research reveals how this might work, and how you can take advantage of breaking science today.
Thanks! Not ApoE4, but have seen Alzheimer’s devastate my Dad, Grandmother. Dementia my Mom. I pretty much do it all to help fight against these terrible diseases of aging. Although resistance training has fallen by the wayside last 6 months. Turning that around thanks to you.
Ordered Gamma light. Nothing on website on how to use. Can I read with it? 1 hour a day is a lot unless I can multi-task.
Sure you can read with it. 1 hour a day is a lot. I'd guess maybe if there the lamp in your periphery on your desk or a bulb in your periphery. You don't need to blankly stare at it ;)
From an evolutionary perspective why would our brain need a frequency provided by an LED light to flush itself clean? Perhaps it’s as simple as being outside under a blue sky or enjoying the sunshine reflect off a lake or river. Our brain evolved to be in the environment that earth provides us. Sometimes I think the search for the perfect experiment in a lab, takes us away from simpler holistic solutions. It’s alien that we shut older people up in a house, in a chair, and turn on a tv. They are human they need blue sky, fresh air, and sunshine. Please don’t simply add a new light bulb to the corner of their room and think their brain will work better!
Why did they use blue light, as opposed to, i.e., red light (which already has some research behind it)?
And would 40 Hz, i.e., binaural beats or isochronic tones (which have been shown to coax the brain to produce more gamma brainwaves & enhance cognitive performance), also enhance glymphatic drainage? (Perhaps that's the reason cognitive performance improves?)
I don't know of any data on 40 Hz, i.e., binaural beats or isochronic tones re glymphatics... but I don't think so. This mechanism relied on retinal stimulation.
My Gamma Clarity 40 Hz Lamp arrived today. I could not remember why I had ordered it -so maybe I am in cognitive decline. After some Google searching, I came across your SubStack, Nick, and AhHa! Enhanced glymphatic circulation! That is why I was so interested. The instructions that came with the lamp are mostly limited to what not to do. They recommend that you not use the lamp for more than one hour per day. Do not stare directly at the lamp, but place it in your peripheral visual field. Turn off the lamp at dusk so as not to interfere with sleep. The lamp should be the dominant light in the room. Do not use if you have photosensitive epilepsy, a history of seizures, or experience any level of discomfort. Question: This lamp produces "blue" light that many people are trying to avoid before going to sleep. So what time of day would you recommend using the lamp? I did find a scientific publication in which a small number (4) of "healthy", youngish (around 30 years old) people who experienced both 40 Hz light and 40 Hz sound exposure had better sleep quality. They were exposed to these 40 Hz stimuli around mid-day. It seems to me that a convenient time to use the Gamma Clarity 40 Hz Lamp might be upon awakening -as long as sunlight does not stream into your bedroom -so that the lamp can be the "dominant" light. I would appreciate your thoughts, Nick.
I know there’s some evidence around red light therapy and Alzheimer’s- how does that tally with this? Since the sun does everything, I presume that maybe it does some 40Hz stuff too, so couldn’t we just be outside more to get the benefits?
Also, what are we supposed to think about the amyloid hypothesis seeing as how it recently came out that it was fudged data and it can be found in ‘normal’ brains. I’ve read Dale Bredesen’s book and understand his idea of wanting to cleave the Amyloid Precursor Protein in the way that doesn’t produce beta amyloid but I’m confused over why it matters now!
I followed and I am following cosci on the platform :)))) waiting for you and dave on a new podcast!!!!!!!!! my kryptonite is sleep too and this is amazing!
photobiomodulation is so nerdy and let me smile thinking about how many photons runs inside us
my brain is thrilled about blue light news
and remember... go outside first light in the morning too
Interesting! This seems like it could have real potential for depression as well, especially seeing as norepinephrine is such a big part of the glymphatic system.
On your request for feedback. I enjoyed l learning about how and why you went down the rabbit hole and ultimately chose a path of action. It’s refreshing transparency. It would be next level if you’d commit to appending this post if and when you change course with the Gamma bulb. Cheers
Glad you felt it was valuable. What do you mean by "commit to appending this post if and when you change course with the Gamma bulb?" I've ordered mine and they're on their way. Do you mean note if I notice any cognitive changes? TBH, I wouldn't expect that as I'm young and my brain -- sorry to flex -- fires on all cylinders most of the time. So it's more of a preventative.
Oh no, I didn’t mean to sound negative when I used the word ‘commit’ in my last message. I really value your input on how you decided to take action, like buying a product. I totally get it, you’re just trying things out like I am. I was actually talking about making your posts seem more sincere, not in a negative way.
Thanks! Not ApoE4, but have seen Alzheimer’s devastate my Dad, Grandmother. Dementia my Mom. I pretty much do it all to help fight against these terrible diseases of aging. Although resistance training has fallen by the wayside last 6 months. Turning that around thanks to you.
Ordered Gamma light. Nothing on website on how to use. Can I read with it? 1 hour a day is a lot unless I can multi-task.
Sure you can read with it. 1 hour a day is a lot. I'd guess maybe if there the lamp in your periphery on your desk or a bulb in your periphery. You don't need to blankly stare at it ;)
From an evolutionary perspective why would our brain need a frequency provided by an LED light to flush itself clean? Perhaps it’s as simple as being outside under a blue sky or enjoying the sunshine reflect off a lake or river. Our brain evolved to be in the environment that earth provides us. Sometimes I think the search for the perfect experiment in a lab, takes us away from simpler holistic solutions. It’s alien that we shut older people up in a house, in a chair, and turn on a tv. They are human they need blue sky, fresh air, and sunshine. Please don’t simply add a new light bulb to the corner of their room and think their brain will work better!
Yeah, but no!
The range of natural (sky) blue light frequencies is approximately 6.06 × 10¹⁴ to 6.67 × 10¹⁴ Hz. It is continuous light emission.
The research presented here is about 40 Hz of *flickering* blue light, which is a totally different animal.
Why did they use blue light, as opposed to, i.e., red light (which already has some research behind it)?
And would 40 Hz, i.e., binaural beats or isochronic tones (which have been shown to coax the brain to produce more gamma brainwaves & enhance cognitive performance), also enhance glymphatic drainage? (Perhaps that's the reason cognitive performance improves?)
I don't know of any data on 40 Hz, i.e., binaural beats or isochronic tones re glymphatics... but I don't think so. This mechanism relied on retinal stimulation.
Hmmm... Then why do you think they would use blue light (shown to be harmful in some studies) rather then red (some studies show benefits)?
In this case, I don't this the actual wavelength matters a ton. Red and IR and penetrate the skull... but this is about retinal stimulation
My Gamma Clarity 40 Hz Lamp arrived today. I could not remember why I had ordered it -so maybe I am in cognitive decline. After some Google searching, I came across your SubStack, Nick, and AhHa! Enhanced glymphatic circulation! That is why I was so interested. The instructions that came with the lamp are mostly limited to what not to do. They recommend that you not use the lamp for more than one hour per day. Do not stare directly at the lamp, but place it in your peripheral visual field. Turn off the lamp at dusk so as not to interfere with sleep. The lamp should be the dominant light in the room. Do not use if you have photosensitive epilepsy, a history of seizures, or experience any level of discomfort. Question: This lamp produces "blue" light that many people are trying to avoid before going to sleep. So what time of day would you recommend using the lamp? I did find a scientific publication in which a small number (4) of "healthy", youngish (around 30 years old) people who experienced both 40 Hz light and 40 Hz sound exposure had better sleep quality. They were exposed to these 40 Hz stimuli around mid-day. It seems to me that a convenient time to use the Gamma Clarity 40 Hz Lamp might be upon awakening -as long as sunlight does not stream into your bedroom -so that the lamp can be the "dominant" light. I would appreciate your thoughts, Nick.
I agree morning or midday would be best.
Gamma light therapy bulb arrived. My wife already complains about the flicker. So, solo use only.
Timing question.
1 hour before bed? Or, 1 cumulative hour of intermittent exposure throughout the day?
Enjoyed the movie premiere & the hors d'oeuvres. First time ever I dressed up for Keto.
I know there’s some evidence around red light therapy and Alzheimer’s- how does that tally with this? Since the sun does everything, I presume that maybe it does some 40Hz stuff too, so couldn’t we just be outside more to get the benefits?
Also, what are we supposed to think about the amyloid hypothesis seeing as how it recently came out that it was fudged data and it can be found in ‘normal’ brains. I’ve read Dale Bredesen’s book and understand his idea of wanting to cleave the Amyloid Precursor Protein in the way that doesn’t produce beta amyloid but I’m confused over why it matters now!
thank you nick!
I followed and I am following cosci on the platform :)))) waiting for you and dave on a new podcast!!!!!!!!! my kryptonite is sleep too and this is amazing!
photobiomodulation is so nerdy and let me smile thinking about how many photons runs inside us
my brain is thrilled about blue light news
and remember... go outside first light in the morning too
:)))
Our 6 hour podcast will probably drop in June. Glad your brain in thrilled! Ever done 40 hz? Gonna try the Gamma bulb or lamp?
I am trying a blue light torch for my gum injury and it helps // not yet 40 hz on my brain health
Interesting! This seems like it could have real potential for depression as well, especially seeing as norepinephrine is such a big part of the glymphatic system.
On your request for feedback. I enjoyed l learning about how and why you went down the rabbit hole and ultimately chose a path of action. It’s refreshing transparency. It would be next level if you’d commit to appending this post if and when you change course with the Gamma bulb. Cheers
Glad you felt it was valuable. What do you mean by "commit to appending this post if and when you change course with the Gamma bulb?" I've ordered mine and they're on their way. Do you mean note if I notice any cognitive changes? TBH, I wouldn't expect that as I'm young and my brain -- sorry to flex -- fires on all cylinders most of the time. So it's more of a preventative.
Oh no, I didn’t mean to sound negative when I used the word ‘commit’ in my last message. I really value your input on how you decided to take action, like buying a product. I totally get it, you’re just trying things out like I am. I was actually talking about making your posts seem more sincere, not in a negative way.
I didn't take it as negative. I just didn't fully understand the comment.