Exploring Red Light Therapy as a Tool for Faster COVID Recovery

Red light therapy is now being explored as a supportive approach for COVID-19. COVID, or COVID-19, has undeniably reshaped daily life across the globe over the past several years, affecting health, routines, and long-term well-being for millions of people.

The fantastic news is that emerging research shows us that red light therapy offers meaningful benefits in this context. A growing body of scientific evidence is examining its role in COVID support, including applications for long COVID, lung health, recovery processes, and overall resilience.

This article walks through the current science, practical considerations, and available studies on red light therapy in relation to COVID—starting with the essential background.

What exactly is Covid / Covid-19 / Corona Virus?

COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which first emerged in late 2019 in China. Since then, an enormous body of scientific research has been published to better understand the virus, its progression, and its effects on human health. To frame this discussion accurately, recent scientific reviews—studies that analyze and synthesize earlier research—provide valuable insight into COVID-19 pathology and mechanisms (1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6).

Over time, SARS-CoV-2 has continued to evolve, giving rise to multiple variants. Early in the pandemic, variants such as Alpha dominated, while later stages were largely shaped by the Omicron variant, which marked a shift in how the disease presented and spread globally (1). A recent review summarizes the health effects of COVID-19 as follows:

"Infected subjects that can mount an appropriate host immune response can quickly inhibit the spread of infection into the lower respiratory system and the disease may remain asymptomatic or a mild infection. The inability to mount a strong initial response can allow the virus to replicate unchecked and manifest as severe acute pneumonia or prolonged disease that may manifest as systemic disease manifested as viremia, excessive inflammation, multiple organ failure, and secondary bacterial infection among others, leading to delayed recovery, hospitalization, and even life-threatening consequences." (3)

For most individuals—particularly younger and otherwise healthy people—COVID-19 tends to present as a mild illness (4). The SARS-CoV-2 virus primarily spreads through airborne transmission, entering the body when viral particles are inhaled (6).

Importantly, many risk factors associated with more severe outcomes are modifiable. Strong cardiorespiratory fitness, a nutrient-dense diet, and maintaining a healthy body weight are all linked to greater resilience and improved outcomes following infection (7, 8, 9).

Long COVID Explained: What Happens After the Acute Phase

Some individuals develop long COVID following a SARS-CoV-2 infection (10; 11; 12; 13; 14). While the clinical definition of long COVID is still being refined (10), it is generally associated with symptoms such as cognitive difficulties (“brain fog”), cardiovascular issues, shortness of breath, persistent fatigue, pain, and exercise intolerance (11). Importantly, long COVID can affect multiple organ systems throughout the body, not just the lungs (13). In some cases, symptoms persist for months or even years after the initial infection (14).

Certain factors increase the likelihood of developing long COVID, including higher body weight, smoking, older age, and female sex (11). Still, this is far from a hopeless picture. Emerging research suggests that red light therapy may offer meaningful support by targeting several of the underlying biological processes involved in long COVID, making it a promising option worth exploring.

The Role of Red Light Therapy in Supporting COVID Recovery

As research into long COVID continues to evolve, photobiomodulation is steadily gaining attention as a supportive, non-invasive approach for post-viral recovery. Long COVID is complex and multifactorial, involving persistent inflammation, immune dysregulation, neurological symptoms, and sensory disturbances. PBM’s well-documented effects on mitochondrial function, inflammation modulation, circulation, and cellular signaling make it a compelling area of investigation for addressing these lingering effects.

Supporting Taste and Smell Recovery

Loss or alteration of taste (dysgeusia/ageusia) and smell (anosmia) remains one of the most disruptive long-term symptoms reported after COVID-19 infection. Several clinical investigations now suggest PBM may help support recovery of these senses.

A pilot clinical study evaluating intranasal and intraoral PBM using dual wavelengths of 660 nm and 808 nm demonstrated significant improvement in both olfactory and gustatory function following treatment, supporting PBM’s potential role in sensory nerve and mucosal recovery (41).

Further evidence comes from a double-blind randomized clinical trial assessing COVID-19 related long-term taste impairment. Participants received PBM applied to the tongue using 660 nm, 808 nm, or combined wavelengths, as well as alternative interventions such as transmucosal laser irradiation of blood (TLIB) and B-complex supplementation. While complete remission was not achieved in all participants, PBM showed measurable benefits and was identified as a viable therapeutic option for managing persistent taste dysfunction (42).

Additional support comes from a randomized controlled trial focused on dysgeusia in long COVID patients. This study found that combined local and systemic PBM significantly improved taste function, reinforcing the idea that PBM may influence both local tissue health and systemic recovery mechanisms (43).

Case-level evidence also points in a positive direction. In one detailed report, a patient with COVID-19-related anosmia and ageusia experienced full restoration of smell and taste after ten PBM sessions. The authors emphasized PBM’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects as likely contributors to recovery, especially given the inflammatory nature of SARS-CoV-2 sequelae (44).

Addressing Inflammation, Immune Dysregulation, and Systemic Effects

Inflammation appears to be one of the key pathways through which red light therapy may meaningfully support COVID recovery. In more severe cases of COVID, the immune system can enter a so-called cytokine storm, a state of excessive and dysregulated inflammation that contributes to tissue damage and worse outcomes (20; 21; 22; 23).

Research suggests that red light therapy can help modulate this response. By dampening excessive cytokine signaling, it may reduce the risk of runaway inflammation and help restore a more balanced immune reaction. This immunomodulatory effect is especially relevant in COVID, where immune overactivation, rather than the virus itself, often drives complications.

In addition, COVID is associated with impaired endothelial function, meaning the inner lining of blood vessels becomes inflamed and dysfunctional (21). Red light therapy has been shown to support endothelial health, offering a protective effect against this vascular stress.

Supporting evidence also comes from numerous animal studies examining red light therapy and inflammation in COVID-related models (24; 25). These studies indicate that light-based interventions may help limit lung inflammation and reduce tissue damage, highlighting another promising mechanism through which red light therapy could aid recovery.

Foundational research exploring PBM’s interaction with biological chromophores highlights the red to near-infrared spectrum, particularly between ~640 nm and 900 nm, as optimal for influencing cytochrome c oxidase, hemoglobin, and cellular respiration. These mechanisms underpin the hypothesis that PBM could reduce COVID-19 severity and improve recovery by enhancing cellular energy production and oxygen utilization (45).

A comprehensive review examining PBM as a potential treatment modality for COVID-19 emphasized its ability to reduce pulmonary inflammation and influence immune responses, particularly relevant to cytokine-driven complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (46).

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses further support PBM’s anti-inflammatory role. Evidence suggests PBM and related light-based therapies may improve inflammatory markers, respiratory function, and tissue healing in both acute and post-acute COVID-19 contexts, while maintaining a strong safety profile (47, 48, 49, 50).

Neurological Recovery, Brain Fog, and the Gut-Brain Axis

Neurological symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, and cognitive slowing are among the most persistent complaints in long COVID. Emerging research suggests PBM may help support neurological recovery through improved cerebral blood flow, mitochondrial efficiency, and neuroimmune regulation.

A growing body of evidence also points to the microbiome-gut-brain axis as a key factor in long COVID-related neurological symptoms (51). Dysbiosis has been associated with neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunction, and long COVID is now being considered alongside other potentially reversible neurological conditions linked to gut-brain signaling (51). PBM’s systemic effects, including immune modulation and potential influence on autonomic and vascular function, may intersect with these pathways in meaningful ways.

Notably, clinical observations indicate that both transcranial and whole-body PBM approaches may improve symptoms of long COVID brain fog and chronic fatigue, offering a promising, low-risk strategy for neurological support during recovery (52).

Where Research Meets Real-World Results: Tips for Boosting Recovery

Red light therapy can be a helpful tool, but it works best as part of a broader, supportive strategy. Here are several evidence-based ways to strengthen resilience against COVID and improve recovery potential:

• Address excess body fat.Being overweight or obese significantly increases the risk of hospitalization and mortality from COVID-19 (26; 27; 28; 29). While weight loss doesn’t happen overnight, improving body composition over time is one of the most impactful ways to reduce risk.
• Strengthen heart, blood vessels, and lung health.Higher cardiorespiratory fitness and VO₂ max are associated with a lower risk of severe COVID outcomes (30; 31). Regular movement, aerobic exercise, and breathing capacity all matter here.
• Optimize vitamin D status.Vitamin D deficiency is strongly linked to worse COVID outcomes (32; 33; 34; 35; 36). Supplementation can raise levels relatively quickly, while sunlight exposure remains the most comprehensive option due to its additional physiological benefits.
• Get regular sunlight exposure.Sunlight may help reduce COVID risk directly and indirectly (37; 38). It supports vitamin D production, circadian rhythm alignment, immune regulation, and even environmental viral decontamination in air and on surfaces.
• Support immunity with a nutrient-dense diet.Adequate intake of vitamins, minerals, and protein is essential for proper immune function. Nutritional deficiencies weaken immune defenses and reduce the body’s ability to respond effectively to infections.

Taken together, these strategies create a stronger foundation for immune health, recovery, and resilience. Red light therapy can complement this foundation, but the biggest gains come from addressing the full picture.

Application with the LZR Ultrabright

For individuals dealing with long COVID, the existing evidence suggests a practical and accessible approach: applying the red light therapy LED directly to the skin while focusing on these areas: forehead, carotid artery, ear/temple region, intestines, solar plexus, liver, and any other affected areas (lungs, etc). Using the LZR Ultrabright, you will have the ideal wavelength and dosage needed for improvement on overall symptoms of long covid. Short sessions using direct skin contact may be a sensible starting point based on current findings.

For acute COVID-19, seeking appropriate medical care should always be the first step. Red light therapy is not a replacement for medical treatment.

Conclusion: A Promising Supportive Tool in Long COVID Care

Taken together, the growing body of research paints an encouraging picture. While photobiomodulation is not positioned as a cure for long COVID, the evidence increasingly supports its role as a supportive, adjunctive therapy. Its ability to address inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, sensory nerve recovery, and neurological symptoms align closely with the underlying mechanisms thought to drive long COVID.

As research continues to expand, PBM stands out for its non-invasive nature, favorable safety profile, and broad biological effects. For individuals navigating prolonged recovery after COVID-19, photobiomodulation represents a hopeful and scientifically grounded avenue worthy of continued exploration.