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The Importance of Cognitive Function in Everyday Life:
Cognitive function is the action of using your brain to think and acquire knowledge. It allows us to process information, solve problems, and make decisions. Attention to details, memory, language skills, and perception are other important functions our brains need to accomplish. Clearly, achieving optimal brain health is of significant importance.
It’s vital to maintain the best possible cognitive health to accomplish daily tasks efficiently, engage in meaningful relationships, pursue our goals and aspirations, and adapt to the many types of situations we face in this life. We need our cognitive abilities to process important information for school, work, to maintain our focus, and to make sound judgments.
Brain health is especially important as we age. Just as physical exercise keeps our bodies healthy and fit; staying active stimulates cognitive function and can help preserve mental sharpness. Regular exercise, a balanced diet rich in nutrients that support brain health (like omega-3 fatty acids), adequate sleep, and managing stress also contribute to better brain function.
The Fascinating Connection Between Red Light Therapy and the Brain:
The connection between Red Light Therapy and the brain is a fascinating one, where specific wavelengths of red light stimulate cellular activity and promote healing. It has shown promising effects on cognitive function. A Randomized controlled trial from February 2019 suggests that Red Light Therapy “may enhance the frontal brain functions of older adults in a safe and cost-effective manner.”
Harnessing the power of Red Light Therapy allows you to experience a therapy that is non-invasive and drug-free to improve brain function and unlock your full cognitive potential.
Here are a few ways Red Light Therapy can be helpful when caring for your cognitive health:
Provides support to our brain’s health and performance.
Stimulates the neurons (brain cells) and mitochondria.
Can help improve mental clarity.
Contributes to reducing brain fog.
Several drugs have been approved for cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s Disease, Vascular Dementia, and Mild Cognitive Impairment with few providing significant benefits.
Our Whole Body Pods use low energy and high wavelengths that are emitted by red and near-infrared (NIR) light that penetrates the skin and goes deep into the cells. This differs from blue light, which emits higher energy (which can have harmful effects on the retina) and a low wavelength.
Changes in cognitive function can be a normal sign of aging, but there are several conditions that can have an impact on cognitive health, which are listed below:
Traumatic Brain Injury: Traumatic brain injury (TBI), also known as concussion, is a serious medical condition that impacts the brain when there has been a sudden jolt or blow to the head. This can happen as a result of incidents like car accidents, a fall, sports injuries, or a physical assault. TBI can range from mild to severe and can have a significant impact on an individual's physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. Common symptoms of TBI include headaches, dizziness, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, and changes in sleep patterns.
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) impacts 10-20% of the adult population age 65 and older, and reveals signs that are noticeable, but do not actually impede activities of daily living.
Alzheimer’s Disease: The most common form of dementia that affects thinking, memory, and behavior. One study acknowledges that current treatments are relatively ineffective when treating conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease. A report from the Journal of Physics found on PubMed from June 21, 2021 reveals while further studies are needed, Red Light Therapy shows great promise with regards to treating Alzheimer’s Disease.
Vascular dementia: This occurs mainly in elderly adults for which the cause is often related to arterial blockage or leakage in the brain due to a heart condition or stroke, and the flow of blood is impacted.
Parkinson’s Disease: Some reports say the cause is unknown, while others report the primary cause of Parkinson’s Disease is dopaminergic neuronal loss. This disease has impacted more than one million people in the United States alone.
Red Light Therapy is a promising therapeutic method for boosting cognitive health. It can improve mental agility, enhance memory, boost overall brain function, and is paving the way for a new approach to cognitive wellness. When looking to improve your cognitive health in general or protect your brain function as you age, Red Light Therapy could be a viable therapeutic option for you!
Contact The Wellness Center to discuss a complementary care plan that fits your needs!
A.J. Harewood
Contact The Wellness Center today to explore your options to start feeling better! We’re here to help!
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The information contained in this article, and information curated from third-party links are for informational purposes only and should not be used or interpreted as diagnosis or medial advice. It is your sole responsibility to consult with your medical doctor regarding any therapy plans or complementary care you might be considering for your personal medical care.
Source(s):
Chen L, Jiao J, Zhang Y. Therapeutic approaches for improving cognitive function in the aging brain. Front Neurosci. 2022 Dec 8;16:1060556. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1060556. PMID: 36570840; PMCID: PMC9773601.
Chan AS, Lee TL, Yeung MK, Hamblin MR. Photobiomodulation improves the frontal cognitive function of older adults. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2019 Feb;34(2):369-377. doi: 10.1002/gps.5039. Epub 2018 Dec 10. PMID: 30474306; PMCID: PMC6333495.
Mohamed SMH, Butzbach M, Fuermaier ABM, Weisbrod M, Aschenbrenner S, Tucha L, Tucha O. Basic and complex cognitive functions in Adult ADHD. PLoS One. 2021 Sep 2;16(9):e0256228. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256228. PMID: 34473722; PMCID: PMC8412315.
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