The Influence of Red Light Therapy on Mitochondrial Function

We aren’t making any claims in this article; we are simply sharing research. 

Discover how red light therapy enhances mitochondrial function to improve cellular health and energy plus a few fascinating caveats along the way. You’ve likely heard how red light therapy interacts with mitochondria. The basic explanation usually goes something like this: red and near-infrared light both of which are used in red light therapy enter the body, enter the cells, and once inside improves energy production.

As a result, the cells function more efficiently, and inflammation—especially chronic inflammation—can decrease. Both effects contribute to increased energy production within the cell.

But here’s the thing: while that explanation sounds neat and tidy, it’s also a bit too simple. Red light therapy likely influences the body through several different pathways, not just mitochondria. Focusing solely on that one aspect can lead to an incomplete or misleading understanding.

So, if we only focus on that one mechanism, we risk telling a story that leaves out important pieces of the puzzle.

Still, it’s helpful to start with the basics—what exactly are mitochondria, often referred to as the “energy-producing factories” of your cells?

Understanding the Function and Significance of Mitochondria

Over the past two decades, mitochondria have emerged as a central focus in the fields of health and wellness—a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. Much of this shift can be traced back to the groundbreaking work of Doug Wallace, whose research fundamentally changed how we view mitochondrial function in human health (1,2,3,4,5).

In the early 2000s, Doug Wallace proposed that many chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and neurodegenerative conditions stem from mitochondrial dysfunction. These illnesses tend to appear later in life, meaning the risk increases as we age.

In addition to the nuclear DNA housed in your cell’s nucleus, you also have mitochondrial DNA. Over time, factors like stress, inadequate recovery, poor sleep, and natural aging can cause changes in that mitochondrial DNA. As a result, it becomes less uniform, a process known as the "heteroplasmy rate." As this rate increases with age, so does the risk of developing disease.

In your 20s, avoiding conditions like diabetes or Alzheimer’s is relatively easy your heteroplasmy rate is low, and your cells are producing energy efficiently. But by the time you reach your 60s or 70s, the risk of disease increases significantly. Staying healthy becomes more challenging, and your energy levels typically aren’t what they were in your younger years.

Mitochondria play a central role in this process. While they're best known for producing energy, research over time has revealed that their functions go far beyond that. Mitochondria also contribute to immune responses and cellular survival mechanisms (6,7,8). One example is the “cell danger response”—an ancient protective reaction that shifts the body into a low-energy state to help with recovery.

The cell danger response is an adaptive mechanism; it helps the body survive by conserving energy during times of stress. However, when this state persists, it's been linked to conditions like chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. Recovery involves eliminating ongoing stressors and gradually reintroducing healthy challenges over time. As balance is restored, mitochondrial function can return to normal.

Despite their complexity, mitochondria are closely tied to both health and disease (9,10,11,12,13,14,15). The more numerous, healthier, and larger your mitochondria are, the more energy your cells can produce. As you age, however, mitochondria tend to become fewer in number, smaller in size, and less efficient factors that contribute to a higher risk of disease.

Mitochondria are deeply involved in both anabolism (building tissues) and catabolism (breaking them down). They also play a key role in producing melatonin, the sleep-regulating hormone that’s found in much higher concentrations inside cells than in the bloodstream. Beyond energy, mitochondria actively communicate with other cellular systems, including circadian clocks, the gut, and the immune system. They also influence the body’s mineral balance, affecting levels of calcium and iron. So, when mitochondrial function breaks down, it’s no surprise that it can lead to widespread dysfunction throughout the entire body.

Next, let’s explore how red light therapy supports mitochondrial function and how it can play a key role in maintaining their health.

The Impact of Red Light on Mitochondrial Function

Red light therapy primarily influences mitochondria through a process known as the activation of Cytochrome C Oxidase (CCO) (16; 17; 18). This step occurs near the end of the mitochondrial energy production cycle and plays a key role in generating Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), the main energy currency of the cell. In simple terms, the more ATP your cells produce, the more energy your body has to function at its best.

Put simply, when red light activates CCO, it boosts the energy production in your cells. And with more cellular energy, your body is better equipped to heal and stay healthy.

That said, there is not yet a universal consensus on this mechanism in the scientific literature.

Quoting Bart Wolbers in 2018, he wrote,

“Some highly regarded (but also highly controversial) scientists, such as Albert Szent-Györgyi, Gilbert Ling, and Gerald Pollack, have suggested through their work a very different conception of the primary role of ATP in the cell than the conventional model, an idea which is slowly garnering support among scientists. This idea involves ATP facilitating the flow of energy in biological tissues through its unique structure and molecular distribution of electric charge rather than acting solely as a simple carrier of chemical bond energy as "currency", as is the current highly-simplified conception.[333-335]" (19)

Recently, some leading voices in the red light therapy field have proposed additional mechanisms behind its effects. One such expert is Prof. Dr. Michael Hamblin who suggested at the Photobiomodulation 2024 event that red light therapy may reduce the viscosity of interfacial water, allowing ATP synthase to rotate more quickly ultimately leading to increased ATP production. While still under investigation, this idea is supported by emerging research and published studies (20; 21; 22).

As one recent publication explains:

"Despite the immense literature on the involvement of cytochrome c oxidase (COX) in LLLT, the assumption that COX is the main mitochondrial photoacceptor for R-NIR photons no longer can be counted as part of the theoretical framework proper, at least not after we have addressed the misleading points in the literature. Here, we report the discovery of a coupled system in mitochondria whose working principle corresponds to that of a field-effect transistor (FET). The functional interplay of cytochrome c (emitter) and COX (drain) with a nanoscopic interfacial water layer (gate) between the two enzymes forms a biological FET in which the gate is controlled by R-NIR photons. By reducing the viscosity of the nanoscopic interfacial water layers within and around the mitochondrial rotary motor in oxidatively stressed cells R-NIR light promotes the synthesis of extra adenosine triphosphate (ATP)." (22).

(Others are more critical of Ling (23)).

While there isn’t universal agreement about CCO’s role in mitochondrial energy production, it remains the most widely accepted mechanism within the field.

Beyond that, red light therapy also triggers a range of downstream effects on mitochondrial function:

• Lower your overall oxidative stress - which is a byproduct of energy production and harmful in excess(24; 25; 26).
• Lowers chronic inflammation, which in turn increases energy production (27; 28; 29).
• Helps create new mitochondria through a process called "mitochondrial biogenesis" (30; 31; 32).
• Could aid in the fission and fusion of mitochondria, so the breakup of mitochondria and two or more mitochondria coming together (33; 34; 35).
• Influences what's known as "gene expression” the process by which certain parts of your DNA are activated, often through transcription factors (36; 37; 38). This effect may help explain why just one session can sometimes lead to noticeable improvements that last for days or even weeks, particularly in conditions like depression.

Current Studies and Emerging Insights

Our understanding of mitochondria and how the body creates energy is constantly evolving. Ongoing research continues to reshape what we know, and much of what was believed 20 or even 50 years ago has significantly changed.

It’s clear we don’t have all the answers yet. Our scientific understanding of mitochondria will likely look very different 50 or 100 years from now. So, in the meantime, let’s follow the research and see what it tells us.

Over the past decade, our understanding of mitochondria has undergone major paradigm shifts such as the discovery of the cell danger response and new insights into the ATP synthase mechanism. What we knew 15 years ago is quite different from what we know today, and it’s likely that 15 years from now, the picture will evolve even further. Still, these advancements are incredibly exciting, as they open the door to more effective ways of supporting and managing our health.

It's important to remember that red light therapy is just one of many tools for supporting mitochondrial health. Quality sleep is essential, as are regular movement and exercise. Other targeted strategies like cold exposure (through cold showers or ice baths) and heat therapy (such as infrared saunas)—can also help strengthen mitochondrial function. Additionally, many steps in the mitochondrial energy-production process rely on key vitamins and minerals, making a nutrient-rich, balanced diet just as critical.

Fasting can also be a valuable tool for enhancing mitochondrial function. However, it’s important to approach it mindfully—monitor your progress closely and make sure you’re preserving lean muscle mass to gain the most health benefits.

Conclusion: Red Light Therapy Truly Supports Energy Production

Many people who use red light therapy report noticeable increases in physical energy. While mitochondria are believed to be central to this effect, the full picture of how they work is still unfolding.