Huberman Lab
Using Red Light to Improve Metabolism & the Harmful Effects of LEDs | Dr. Glen Jeffery
· Summarized
Key takeaways
- Long-wavelength light improves mitochondrial function, enhancing metabolism, eyesight, and blood glucose regulation.
- LED lighting may have harmful effects on mitochondrial health, potentially leading to broader public health concerns.
- Supplementing indoor lighting with incandescent or halogen bulbs and spending time outdoors can mitigate negative health impacts.
- Emerging therapies involving light exposure are showing promise for children with mitochondrial diseases.
- Effective architectural design should prioritize natural light and full-spectrum artificial light to support overall health.
Summary
The Importance of Light for Health
Dr. Glenn Jeffrey emphasizes the significance of various wavelengths of light on health, particularly the benefits of long-wavelength light (red, near-infrared, and infrared) for mitochondrial function. He explains that these wavelengths can enhance metabolism, improve eyesight, and regulate blood glucose levels, highlighting how light impacts overall cellular and organ health.
The Detrimental Effects of LED Light
LED lighting, prevalent in modern environments, is shown to impact mitochondrial health negatively. Dr. Jeffrey compares its effects to exposures similar to asbestos, suggesting a public health issue stemming from our increased reliance on short-wavelength enriched artificial lighting. This results in decreased mitochondrial function, increased fat storage, and potential impacts on mood and cognitive performance.
Practical Strategies to Optimize Light Exposure
The conversation shifts to actionable advice for improving light exposure. Dr. Jeffrey recommends supplementing indoor lighting with incandescent or halogen bulbs, using candles in the evening, and getting outside for natural sunlight. He suggests that even placing plants that reflect infrared light can be beneficial in urban environments.
Mitochondrial Diseases and Light Therapy
The podcast also discusses the promising applications of light therapy for children with mitochondrial diseases. Early results show positive responses in mobility and overall health for some children, reinforcing the potential for light exposure to play a critical role in improving mitochondrial function.
The Role of Architecture in Health
Architecture plays a significant role in the quality of light exposure within buildings. Dr. Jeffrey details how modern building designs often utilize LED lights and materials that block useful wavelengths, thereby negatively impacting the occupants' health. He advocates for architects to integrate full-spectrum light into their designs to enhance well-being.
Sponsors
- AG1 · I have been taking AG1 for more than a decade, it's the highest quality and most comprehensive foundational nutritional supplement on the market.
- Wealthfront · Wealthfront helps you take control of your finances while managing risk.
- Joovv · Juve makes medical grade red light and infrared light therapy devices, improving mitochondrial function.
- Rorra · Rorra makes effective water filters that remove harmful substances while preserving beneficial minerals.
- Function · Function provides comprehensive blood testing and analysis of results from expert doctors.
Show notes
Dr. Glen Jeffery, PhD, is a professor of neuroscience at University College London and a leading expert on how different colors (wavelengths) of light impact cellular, organ and overall health. He explains that long-wavelength light (red, near-infrared and infrared) can enter the body and brain to enhance mitochondrial function and thereby improve metabolism, eyesight, blood glucose regulation, mood, hormones and more. We also discuss how short-wavelength light from LED bulbs can impair mitochondrial health and why balanced, full-spectrum light is essential for health. Dr. Jeffery shares simple yet powerful ways to use natural and artificial light sources to enhance your metabolic function, eyesight and longevity.
Sponsors
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman
Wealthfront*: https://wealthfront.com/huberman
Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman
Rorra: https://rorra.com/huberman
Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman
Timestamps
00:00 Glen Jeffery
03:12 Light, Ultraviolet (UV), Visible & Infrared (IR) Light
06:25 Light's Impact on the Body & Light, Sunburn, Cataracts
09:55 UV Light, All-Cause Mortality, Skin Cancer
14:55 Sponsors: Wealthfront & Joovv
17:58 Light Impacts Mitochondria Function & Structure, Long-Wavelength Light (Red/IR), Nano Water
25:00 Long-Wavelength Light Passes Through Clothing & Body; Tissue Scattering
30:08 Long-Wavelength Light & Blood Glucose; Mitochondria
36:19 Red Light, Parkinson's Disease, Cell Death; Eye Rods & Aging; Mitochondria Community
42:46 Red/IR Light, Skull & Brain; Safe Non-Ionizing Radiation
48:22 Sponsors: AG1 & Rorra
51:04 Offsetting Retinal Aging, Improve Vision & Long-Wavelength Light
59:28 Tool: Long-Wavelength Light & Preserve Retinal Mitochondria; Sunlight
1:03:50 Mitochondrial Theory of Aging, Circadian Rhythm & Mitochondria
1:07:57 Tool: Improve Vision with Long-Wavelength Light
1:10:44 Macular Degeneration, Rescuing Vision, Early Intervention
1:13:59 Light Effects at Local vs Distant Tissues, Immune System, Body Communication
1:19:09 Sponsor: Function
1:20:56 Short-Wavelength Light, LED Light, Mitochondria & Serious Health Detriments
1:28:39 Lifespan, LED Lights; Sunlight & Balanced Wavelengths; "Sunlike" Marketing
1:34:45 Fires, Incandescent Lights vs LED Lights, Lasers; Long-Wavelength Devices
1:39:07 Incandescent & Halogen Bulbs, Mitochondria & Built Environments
1:45:19 Windows, Light & Office Work; Screens, Kids & Myopia; Tools: Plants; Lighting
1:55:56 Bring the Outdoors Indoors
2:00:35 Tool: Candlelight; Dim Halogen Lamps
2:05:06 Mitochondrial Diseases, Children & Long-Wavelength Light; Light Bulbs
2:11:53 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
*This experience may not be representative of other Wealthfront clients, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Experiences will vary. The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The base APY is 3.50% on cash deposits as of November 07, 2025, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. If eligible for the overall boosted rate of 4.15% offered in connection with this promo, your boosted rate is also subject to change if the base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to program banks, where it earns the variable APY. New Cash Account deposits are subject to a 2-4 day holding period before becoming available for transfer. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Follow this show on AudioBrevity and new episodes get summarized for you. Create a free account