Red light therapy has moved fast—from a fringe topic known only to researchers into a booming consumer industry. But according to Ari Whitten, much of the conversation has outpaced the science. In this episode of Light Therapy Insiders, Ari joins me, Bart Wolbers, to unpack how red and near-infrared light interact with human biology, why mitochondria are central to health and aging, and where common assumptions about dosing, heat, and device performance break down.
Ari is the author of The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy, recently released in a fully revised and expanded edition co-authored with Dr. Michael Hamblin—one of the most cited photobiomodulation researchers in the world. This conversation goes well beyond surface-level benefits and dives into mechanisms, controversies, and why humility matters in a field that’s still evolving.
Show Notes
In this episode, Ari Whitten shares how his early work on mitochondria led him to red and near-infrared light years before the consumer market exploded. We discuss why photobiomodulation can’t be reduced to a single mechanism, why many device claims are misleading, and how an evolutionary view of sunlight helps explain its role in modern health.
This conversation is ideal for listeners who already know the basics of red light therapy and want a deeper, more nuanced understanding—without hype.
Key Topics Discussed
Ari Whitten’s journey into red light therapy
From competitive athletics and bodybuilding to chronic fatigue after Epstein–Barr virus infection, Ari explains how his focus shifted toward energy metabolism and mitochondrial health—and why that led him to light biology.
Why mitochondria are central to health and aging
We explore how modern research reframes mitochondria as more than “cellular powerhouses,” highlighting their role in immune function, brain health, stress responses, and biological aging.
Red and near-infrared light in an evolutionary context
Humans evolved under the sun, and different wavelengths influence biology in distinct ways—circadian rhythm signaling, vitamin D synthesis, nitric oxide production, heat effects, and more. Red and near-infrared light stand out because human tissue is unusually transparent to these wavelengths.
Moving beyond the cytochrome c oxidase story
Once considered the primary mechanism of photobiomodulation, cytochrome c oxidase is now understood as just one piece of a larger puzzle that includes gene expression, growth factors, immune signaling, and systemic effects.
Heat, dosing, and the biggest PBM controversies
We break down the debate around whether photobiomodulation must be “non-thermal,” why mild tissue warming is often unavoidable, and where the real danger thresholds likely sit.
Systemic vs localized effects
Ari explains why red light therapy doesn’t always need to be applied directly to a target tissue to produce benefits—and how blood, immune, and signaling pathways may play a larger role than many people assume.
Pods vs panels: Is the price difference justified?
We discuss whether full-body red-light pods offer advantages over large-panel setups—and why the lack of direct comparative studies leaves this question open.
Industry transparency and misleading specs
A strong call for third-party testing, honest irradiance data, and higher standards in an industry where exaggerated claims remain common.
Resources Discussed
✨ Purchase The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy, which is a comprehensive science-based guide co-authored with Dr. Michael Hamblin, using this link: https://afred.co/ari-rltbook
✨ Referenced researchers and concepts:
Dr. Michael Hamblin, Dr. Mark Crenshaw, Dr. Robert Naviaux (Cell Danger Response), mitochondrial psychobiology, photobiomodulation dosimetry.
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