☆ Higher global efficiency ➜ greater communication between all brain regions
☆ Higher local efficiency ➜ greater communication between nearby brain regions
These metrics decline in aging + depression. (5/7)
Infrared light also improved functional connectivity in the brain.
This represents how synchronized remote brain regions are metabolically.
This was especially apparent in the frontoparietal network (FPN) - involved in:
➞ Attention
➞ Complex problem-solving
➞ Working memory
(6/7)
How does near infrared light therapy work?
The body contains molecules designed to absorb light.
Some major ones:
➤ Cytochrome c oxidase - an energy-producing enzyme inside mitochondria
➤ Water
➤ TRPV channels
When light hits cytochrome c oxidase, it boosts the efficiency of mitochondrial energy production.
Virtually every cognitive or mental disorder involves impaired mitochondrial function.
Energy production powers:
◇ Brain cell growth, survival, and regeneration
◇ Neurotransmitter synthesis
◇ Immune and inflammatory regulation in the brain
◇ Defense against oxidative stress
◇ Stem cell activity and health
◇ Intracellular signaling
◇ Gene expression
Basically: everything.
And water? When it absorbs certain wavelengths of light, it transforms - becoming a more structured, crystalline form.
This “structured water” is vital for healthy cell function. Without it, nothing works quite right.
It’s the biological difference between a glass of water and a gummy bear.
Finally, TRPV channels can allow calcium into cells or into mitochondria, which activates certain transcription cascades that regulate various genes in brain cells.
If you're tired of guessing about your health - you'll want to do some advanced testing.
Here's 5 of the best ones to get:
#1 Mitochondrial performance analysis
Health issues often stem from poor mitochondrial function - and we can measure exactly where they are struggling⬇️
Over 90% of the energy in your body is produced through the electron transport chain in your mitochondria.
If it's not working properly, it can result in any number of health issues, since all health issues are downstream of impaired mitochondrial function.
Thankfully, we can test for the functioning of each enzyme.
Each of these enzymes is disproportionately involved in the metabolism of certain nutrients (i.e. carbs or fat),
and also require nutrients to function properly.
Things like red light, methylene blue, PQQ, and various other tools can also plug in and support the functioning of these enzymes or increase their expression.
Thus, you have a powerful and applicable tool.
This is available direct to consumer at mito.me by @chrismasterjohn
It can also be ordered by a practitioner through other means like mitoswab.
#2 Urinary organic acids + plasma amino acids
Your body is constantly performing chemical reactions to suit its needs for:
If your body cannot make these conversions properly, your health will thus suffer.
These conversions can be inhibited by:
➠ Nutrient deficiencies
➠ Inflammation
➠ Toxins
among other things, all unique to the reaction, so its helpful to know exactly where things break down.
Urinary organic acids + plasma amino acids measures the amounts of over 100 of these chemicals, providing deep insight into where your body may not be making a conversion properly.
You can use this information to better design your diet, lifestyle and supplements to balance everything out or address certain inhibitions.
The key to understand is the serotonin vs dopamine balance.
Too much serotonin and our brains shut down creative processes, go into conservation mode and stop risk taking.
Dopamine is a cue to approach, explore and create.
Dopamine and serotonin not only functionally oppose each other, but they directly lower the synthesis of the other.
High brain serotonin prevents exploration and promotes playing it safe.
“activation of serotonergic neurons during foraging in mice promote exploitation of a rewarding patch rather than exploration of an alternative action,”