Deep red (650–670 nm) and Near Infrared (NIR) light components, according to Professor Moore-Ede, should become a standard part of modern electric lighting due to their significant effects on human health. When infrared light penetrates the human body, it provides energy to mitochondria, which power cellular metabolism and help counteract the effects of aging and disease. As people naturally age or fall ill, ATP (energy) production in mitochondria decreases, and reactive oxygen species produced by mitochondria contribute to systemic inflammation. Exposure to red light can reverse this decline in mitochondrial function. The author also shows that animal studies have demonstrated the benefits of correcting mitochondrial dysfunction using near-infrared light in a range of diseases, such as brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
A strong expert consensus was reached on the vast majority of 26 statements from top scientists across disciplines, highlighting the non-visual effects of light
These statements address how the human eye detects and processes light and the effects of light on various physiological and psychological functions, such as circadian rhythm regulation, sleep, mood, and alertness. At the same time, they provide scientifically backed insights into the effects of light and emphasize the need to raise public awareness in order to apply these findings more effectively in everyday practice.
