Can red light therapy go beyond skin and joint health to influence your brain and gut connection?

In this feature, we explore the evolving science behind red light therapy for the brain–gut axis through three in-depth conversations with Sarah Turner, researcher and co-founder of CeraThrive. Across these interviews, she discusses the development of the CERA system, new insights into photobiomodulation mechanisms, and how red light may influence both cognitive and gut health. Together, these interviews highlight the fast-moving intersection of light therapy, neuroscience, and gut–brain research.

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Resources and my review of the CeraThrive are at the end of the article.

CeraThrive CEO: Brain-Gut Axis And Red Light Therapy?

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I’m affiliated with some of the companies mentioned here, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through my links or use the discount codes provided. This device was provided to me free of charge, but all opinions are my own. This is not medical advice.

In this episode, I sit down with researcher and entrepreneur Sarah Turner to explore how photobiomodulation may support brain performance, gut health, and even mood regulation. We also dive into her new CERA device from CeraThrive—designed to target the brain–gut axis with a forehead and gut application.Show Notes

Sarah shares her journey from pharmaceutical science into neuroscience, biohacking, and light therapy research. We break down how pulsed red and near-infrared light interacts with mitochondria, structured water, and the gut microbiome—and why targeting both brain and gut at once could amplify results.

Key Topics

From Pharma to Photobiomodulation – Sarah’s research background and why she left drug development for neuroscience and light biology.
Brain-Gut Axis & Red Light – How gut health influences neurodegeneration, and why dual brain/gut light application makes sense.
CERA Device Technology – Forehead band and gut pad with multiple wavelengths (630, 850, 940, 1070nm) and pulsing options.
Pulsed Frequencies & Brain States – Using shamanic, alpha, gamma, and 100Hz pulsing for focus, meditation, and neuroplasticity.
Systemic Benefits of Light – Why local application (gut, skin, teeth, joints) may still create body-wide improvements.
Future of Brain Light Therapy – Clinical applications, EEG-based personalization, and Sarah’s postgraduate diploma in photobiomodulation.

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My team and I have extensively researched the benefits of red light therapy. Be sure to check out the articles on my website. Here's one article: Gut Health & Red Light: A Surprising Connection

CeraThrive CEO: Red Light Therapy Brain-Gut Axis UPDATE:

Introduction

At the Biohacker Summit in Amsterdam, I caught up again with Sarah Turner, CEO and co-founder of CeraThrive, to get an update on her groundbreaking red light therapy system designed to target both the brain and the gut. We talked about new firmware upgrades, clinician training programs, and how light may influence the gut–brain axis through microbiome modulation and neuroplasticity.

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Here's another article from my website: Red Light Therapy For Upgrading Your Brain Health

Show Notes

Sarah reveals exciting milestones for CeraThrive — including production readiness, over-the-air software updates, and upcoming brain coaching courses for both users and practitioners. She also shares what she learned from completing one of the world’s first accredited university diplomas in photobiomodulation. She explains why the microbiome might hold the key to mood and mental health benefits from red light therapy.

Key Topics

CeraThrive Product Updates: Test batches complete, whole production beginning soon, and firmware now supports remote updates.
Clinician Coaching Courses: A new CeraThrive coaching certification to train practitioners on individualized light therapy protocols.
Brain–Gut Axis Focus: The CERA system delivers dual red and near-infrared wavelengths (630, 850, 940, and 1070 nm for the brain; 630 and 850 nm for the gut).
Photobiomodulation Studies: Sarah recently completed an accredited photobiomodulation diploma at Mélier University in France — one of the first of its kind.
Gut–Microbiome Research: New findings suggest specific gut bacteria profiles may correlate with psychiatric conditions like addiction — reinforcing the gut–brain connection.
Personalized Light Therapy: Future CeraThrive programs aim to tailor pulse rates, session timing, and wavelength selection to individual needs and circadian biology.

⭐ My Website ⭐

Find your red light therapy resources here:

Reviews Science & Benefits Health & Wellness Beauty & Anti-Aging Guides & How To Brain & Cognition Expert Interviews Discounts Shopping Tool

CERA: Light For UPGRADING Your Brain & Gut Health Link!

Introduction

At the PBM 2024 conference, I caught up again with Sarah Turner, neuroscientist and CEO of CeraThrive, to explore what’s new in red light therapy for the brain–gut axis. CeraThrive has now officially shipped, and Sarah shares how users are already reporting benefits for everything from cognition to gut health — plus how she’s using new data platforms and QEEG tracking to make light therapy more measurable than ever.

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Be sure to check out my website for all our research articles: Red Light Therapy For Traumatic Brain Injury Science: Speed Up Recovery Significantly!

Show Notes

Sarah and I dive into the latest photobiomodulation science, including research on the 1060–1070nm wavelength and its potential interaction with structured water in tissues. We discuss why new mechanisms — beyond cytochrome c oxidase — are emerging, how fat tissue and hydration affect light penetration, and why individualized protocols may be the future. Sarah also talks about her new neurology teaching module in France and how “citizen science” could accelerate discoveries faster than traditional clinical trials.

Key Topics

CeraThrive Product Launch: All pre-orders fulfilled and new stock now available — the dual brain–gut device is live.
Next-Gen Wavelength Research: The 1060–1070nm range may influence structured water and protein function, not just mitochondria.
Light & Brain Health: How short, targeted sessions can shift brainwave activity within minutes.
Dosing Complexity: Why skin tone, hydration, and body fat alter penetration and effectiveness.
Potential Side Effects: Sarah emphasizes safety and moderation — less is often more when it comes to brain light dosing.
Real-World Testing: QEEG brainwave tracking and HRV monitoring are used to quantify emotional and cognitive changes after red light exposure.
The Gut–Brain Connection: New research shows how photobiomodulation may influence microbiome metabolites and brain signaling.
Future of PBM: From opioid recovery to fertility and mood — light-based neuroplasticity is expanding beyond traditional medicine.

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Make sure to join my Facebook group. We have more in-depth discussions there. I hope you’ll join us in the interesting conversations. Members share their ideas, observations, experiences, questions, and review requests. It’s an interactive group!