Essentials: Using Light to Optimize Health

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explore how different wavelengths of light affect the human body and how light exposure can improve sleep quality, mood and daytime alertness while supporting healthy hormone regulation. I also discuss the therapeutic use of ultraviolet and infrared/red light for a wide variety of benefits, including improved skin health and offsetting age-related vision loss. I explain the biological mechanisms behind these light-based therapies and offer practical tools that listeners can use to improve both their mental and physical well-being. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman ROKA: https://roka.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Light (00:00:47) Physics of Light (00:01:57) Light & Body, Rods & Cones, Skin, Seasons & Melatonin (00:05:01) Melatonin Supplements?, Tool: Seasonal Sun Exposure (00:08:32) Sponsor: ROKA (00:09:47) Tool: Melatonin Levels & Reduce Night Light (00:10:31) Light, UVB, Skin Exposure, Testosterone & Estrogen, Fertility (00:13:54) UVB Light & Improved Pain Tolerance (00:16:10) Tool: Daily Sunlight Exposure Protocol; Blue Blockers (00:18:25) Sponsor: AG1 (00:19:16) Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Year-Round Sunlight Exposure (00:21:24) Enhanced Immune Function & UVB Light, Tool: Winter Light Exposure (00:23:45) Light, Wound Healing, Hair & Nail Growth (00:25:11) Tool: Mood, Dopamine & Avoid Nighttime UVB Light (00:27:46) Sponsor: Function (00:29:25) Red Light Therapy, Infrared Light, Acne, Wound Healing & Scars; Mitochondria (00:33:06) Offset Age-Related Eyesight Decline, Red Light (00:37:22) Tool: Red Light Protocol, Frequency & Timing (00:40:02) Red Light for Shift Workers (00:41:42) Recap Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices