Red Light Helmet 101

It has been one of the most-asked questions as I’ve documented my integrative cancer healing therapy journey – Give us more information about the Red Light Helmet. So, here is my opportunity to share about the Weber Medical LED Infrared Helmet!

The Weber helmet has been a consistent and powerful piece in my healing therapy plan and for good reason. I used it before surgery to help us shrink the tumor as well as in my recovery to heal from brain surgery. Let’s dive into the science and the how-to’s of the Weber helmet. 

What is the Weber Medical LED Infrared Helmet?

The Weber helmet is an LED near-infrared red light helmet. It is a therapeutic helmet that may be used as a powerful piece in a treatment protocol for various brain and head-related conditions. It is not just for brain tumors or brain surgery. 

What conditions are the helmet most often used for?

The Weber helmet has been suggested by providers to help improve many different head and brain-related conditions including: brain tumors, stroke, concussions, Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain injury (TBI), dementia, PTSD, and more. Due to its powerful healing properties which we will discuss below, it has also been promoted by professionals to improve conditions such as depression and anxiety. 

I also want to point out that the helmet is not just powerful to address specific conditions but is also an effective preventative piece for those who might have concerns about genetic predispositions to things such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, depression, etc. 

What is red light therapy and what are the specifics of the Weber helmet’s red light?

The Weber helmet utilizes transcranial low-level laser therapy, or red light therapy, technology to promote healing and health in the brain. It has 320 diodes (lights) that emit infrared light at 810 nm wavelength. 

The difference between red light and infrared light is in the wavelength. Red light operates at 630-700 nm whereas infrared light (which is a type of red light) is anywhere from 800-1000 nm. Red light is most effective for promoting change at a more surface level (scars, hair growth, skin conditions, etc.) whereas infrared light penetrates deeper into the tissue, including bone. Infrared light can reach 4-5 cm past the skull or 3 cm into the brain tissue, and it is more effective than red light for conditions underneath the skin. 

Infrared light is non-invasive, painless, and non-thermal (does not generate heat).

How does this type of therapy work and what are the benefits?

What exactly does the Weber helmet do?! I’m going to give you a bullet list of benefits. And then for all my fellow nerds out there, I’ll dive into some of the “why” and “how” behind the benefits!

Weber Medical LED Infrared Helmet Benefits:

• increases energy within the brain
• protects neurons
• decreases inflammation
• supports lymphatic flow + circulation
• modulate immune response and allow for new neural pathways
• improve oxygen and nutrient delivery

1. Increases energy within the brain:

The Weber helmet promotes short-term stimulation of the brain tissues. This increases ATP production (aka energy!) in the brain. An increase in energy in the brain results in an increase in healing capacity. 

The brain is one of the most metabolically active tissues in the body. When metabolic activity goes down, we see disease/sickness go up. If we can increase energy (aka metabolic activity) in the brain, we’ll be creating an environment that promotes health and not disease. 

2. Protects neurons:

Infrared light has a neuroprotective aspect, which means it is able to keep brain cells alive and healthier longer. Essentially, it can help sustain neurological cells. With this, we see less excitotoxicity and more robust and longstanding brain health. 

3. Decreases inflammation:

Inflammation is a hallmark of almost any type of brain sickness or dysfunction. The benefits of Photobiomodulation (PBM), including near-infrared light therapy, to stimulate healing are well-documented. Decreasing inflammation is a large part of that healing. 

Of note, the helmet can be particularly helpful for concussions that result in chronic and ongoing symptoms. Why? Because concussions can cause an inflammatory cascade that comes with a whole lot of unwanted symptoms. The red light helmet helps turn “off” the inflammation and all of the symptoms that follow. 

4. Supports lymphatic flow + circulation:

PBM near-infrared therapy has vasodilatory effects, which allow nitric oxide to be used which would otherwise be “stuck” to our blood vessels. This creates an increase in microcirculation. 

Anytime there is disease/sickness, we want to increase circulation because with increased circulation comes more oxygen and nutrients. Disease thrives where oxygen is not present. The increase in circulation also improves lymphatic flow and activates beneficial cellular pathways. 

5. Modulate immune response and allow for new neural pathways:

The Weber helmet facilitates processes that help the brain repair itself. It helps regulate the immune response by decreasing inflammation at the same time as it increases healing potential.  

A particularly noteworthy aspect of transcranial PBM therapy is that it creates a potential for new synaptic pathways in the brain. What does this mean? For those with neurologic impairment, it allows them to have greater potential for regaining functionality when old pathways are damaged by promoting the growth of new pathways. 

6. Improve oxygen and nutrient delivery:

Because the Weber helmet stimulates natural pathways as well as increased blood, lymph and cerebrospinal fluid flow, it’s useful to improve oxygen and nutrient delivery throughout the brain tissue. 

Anytime inflammation is decreased and circulation is increased, oxygen and nutrients are able to more quickly and efficiently be transported throughout. Improved oxygen and nutrient delivery makes for quicker and fuller healing as well as a slower rate of progression of disease. 

While the points above make compelling enough reasons to implement red light helmet therapy, it’s important to point out that research on transcranial application is fairly new. In fact, we know via research it is an effective means of therapy, but we don’t even fully understand why yet. 

Anecdotally, providers have seen reductions in aggressive behavior with consistent helmet therapy usage in those who have Alzheimer’s. I’ve also heard several providers speak to the improvements in mood stability, mood elevation, and general improvement in mental affect in their clients/patients who consistently utilize the Weber helmet. This is not surprising, given the mechanism of the Weber helmet, which reduces inflammation, encourages neuron health, and allows for increased oxygen flow to brain tissue. 

I am aware that many of you know I purchased this helmet (it was not gifted!) as a piece of the puzzle in my cancer healing journey. While it is not explicitly known as a cancer healing modality, my integrative oncology providers and I believe it is beneficial. Continue reading to see exactly how I use it. Spoiler alert, I think working with a provider to craft your protocol is always ideal!

Is the Weber Medical LED Infrared Helmet effective as a preventative measure, a healing modality or to slow the progression of a disease?

The answer is, it depends. But, all three!

Because of the mechanisms above that are associated with the Weber helmet, it has proven to be an effective piece in the therapy puzzle for all three intentions: prevention, healing or slowing the progression of disease. 

Like any therapy, the Weber helmet does not promise guaranteed outcomes. But as many integrative oncology doctors have said – it is nothing that could hurt, but could only help support healing if given a cancer diagnosis. 

I want to empower you that this is a powerful technology, but I do not want to give you a false sense of guaranteed hope for healing. And at the end of the day, light therapy might be more or less powerful for one individual versus another because we are all bio-individually unique! The main thing to remember is that it is powerful and it can only facilitate positive changes such as stronger prevention, healing, or slowed progression.  

What does an example protocol look like?

The Weber helmet comes with a protocol book that suggests protocols based on research. The Weber helmet has 4 intensity levels. Treatment times are from 1-30 minutes. And it is generally recommended to use the helmet for 15-30 minutes, 1-2x/day. 

The Weber helmet operates from frequencies from 1 to 20,000 Hz. It is typically used at either 10 Hz or 40 Hz, as these are the most researched levels. Frequency is the rate at which the light pulses per second. This allows the light to work with natural brain wave patterns and even encourages natural circadian rhythm syncing!

Personally, as part of my cancer healing journey, Dr. Conneally has me do 30 minutes of red light helmet therapy once per day at anywhere between 40-44 Hz. I also take a photosensitizer to activate the red light (such as methylene blue or curcumin) 30 minutes before wearing the helmet. Photosensitizers such as methylene blue, when used together with a light source, have the potential to treat a variety of cancerous and non-cancerous diseases, with low toxicity and no side effects (source).

I believe this device is truly best when used while working alongside a provider who can offer a beneficial protocol plan.

Where/how can I purchase the Weber Medical LED Infrared Helmet?

While you used to have to get it through a provider, it is now available for purchase HERE and you can even have a discount using my code TAYLORDUKESWELLNESS. 

The Weber helmet is a technology that is based out of Germany, but it is sold all over the world and used globally. Weber is the U.S. Distributor of the German company. 

What is the difference between the Weber and V-Lite?

The Weber helmet irradiates the entire brain whereas other ones are more targeted. 

Can you do the Weber helmet alongside other therapies?

Yes! In fact, the Weber helmet is best used as one powerful piece of the therapy puzzle that synergizes with other therapies. It is a uniting therapy that can expedite the healing process by working with other therapies and actually making them more effective. For example, if someone is eating according to a therapeutic diet, the Weber helmet makes that diet more effective and powerful because of its ability to improve nutrient transportation. 

I cannot afford the Weber Medical LED Infrared Light Helmet. Is there anything comparable?

It will not be as powerful, but intranasal application of infrared light can also have a positive impact on the brain. This is an option for those who don’t have the budget for the helmet. Additionally, you may purchase an infrared light pad and hold it to the head as a less effective but still beneficial means of therapy. Both the pad and intranasal application can also be purchased via Weber at a discount using my code TAYLORDUKESWELLNESS. 

Are there any doctors who promote this type of therapy and whose work I might be able to learn from?

Yes! Dr. Conneally, from Cancer Center for Healing  Dr. Jimenez from Hope for Cancer, Dr. James Laporta from the Malachite Centre in South Africa, and Dr. Michael Ellenburg, a German practitioner, are all geniuses in their own right and proponents of transcranial red light therapy. 

Personally, I can speak to my love for this therapy and my deep belief in its effectiveness and benefits. It has been a part of my own healing journey in battling brain cancer, and I am confident it could be a key piece in the healing journeys of those who are battling countless other brain-related diseases, sicknesses, or challenges. 

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