Is it true?
In today’s blog we are going to cover the topic of Red Light Therapy for Testosterone.
- The Context
- Studies & Science
- Explanation
- Conclusion
The Context
In October 2017, the internationally recognized biohacker Ben Greenfield, wrote a blog titled: ‘I Put a Giant Red Light on My Balls to Triple My Testosterone Levels’ (1). Right after that, everyone went crazy and started pointing lasers at their genitals, hoping to boost testosterone, sex drive, and fertility.
Including Dr. Saladino, a former medical doctor, and Jay Wiles, a clinical psychologist, who also claimed great benefits.
The truth is, red light therapy for testosterone benefits has not been studied extensively on humans.
Dr. Hamblin, whom we have previously mentioned in other blogs due to his extensive work with red light therapy, says:
“The impact of red light therapy on sexual health is an emerging field, but I see its potential to improve sexual function and libido with recent studies.”
Studies & Science
Research on sexual health applications of red light therapy is very small in men. A couple of animal studies do suggest that red light therapy might influence leydig cells, which are the body’s sperm producers located in the testicles.
There is also one study in humans that suggests light therapy can increase testosterone levels and sexual satisfaction. (2) (3)
Despite all the promising research, the truth is that there is no scientific evidence of these benefits in humans, yet.
There just hasn’t been any controlled studies that prove all the benefits people like Ben Greenfield, Dr. Saladino and Jay Wiles claim.
Explanation
To start, if we look at the profiles of the men that talk about all these great benefits, we can clearly see that all of them eat very healthy, work out regularly, practice proven biohacks such as cold therapy, saunas and fasting, and have a very low carb diet.
Red light therapy is known for boosting blood circulation. In healthy individuals, it does make sense that the erectile quality will be better after light exposure, due to the increase in blood flow in the area.
A well as with circulation, red light therapy is also proven to boost mood and energy. As a result of that, it makes sense that men would feel more aroused and ready for intercourse.
We will have to wait a couple of years until scientists perform proper controlled studies in humans, to verify all these promises and benefits that particularly healthy men, are experiencing.
Conclusion
To conclude, red light therapy definitely has got all the potential to be very beneficial in boosting testosterone and general sexual drive but we will have to wait a bit to be able to claim that.
What we do know is that red light is very useful for the testicles in that it improves sperm motility and therefore the likelihood of falling pregnant. In other words, if the testicles function better in terms of fertility, we might assume there is a positive correlation with regards to testosterone.
Please note – there seems to be more evidence that red light only is useful for the testicles, with much more limited positive studies on the near infrared light. Best to use red light only for testicles.
With such notable individuals as Ben Greenfield and Paul Saladino swearing by it, it’s certainly worth a try!
Our top pick for mens health – The Target Light 2.0 or any of the larger panels.
*Sources of information:
- https://www.menshealth.com/health/a19539973/i-put-a-giant-red-light-on-my-balls-to-triple-my-testosterone-levels/
- https://www.alliedacademies.org/articles/the-effects-of-low-level-laser-therapy-lllt-on-the-testis-in-elevatingserum-testosterone-level-in-rats.pdf
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160918214443.htm