Episode Overview
What actually happens inside your body when you use red light therapy? In this episode of the Red Light Therapy Podcast, Mike Volkin and longevity specialist Dr. Alan Inman break down the science of photobiomodulation and how red and near-infrared light stimulate the mitochondria to increase ATP (cellular energy) production. By improving oxygen utilization and supporting mitochondrial function, red light therapy helps address the root cause of fatigue — rather than simply masking it like caffeine. You’ll learn the ideal session length, how often to use red light therapy, and the best time of day to maximize energy, recovery, and performance. Whether you’re trying to beat the afternoon slump, improve workout recovery, or boost overall vitality, this episode provides a clear, science-backed guide to using red light therapy effectively.
Welcome & Introduction
Mike (00:01)
All right. Welcome everybody to the first episode of the Red Light Therapy Podcast. I’m Mike Vulcan, your host. Today joining us is our co-host, longevity and sports performance specialist from West Texas, Dr. Alan Inman. Welcome to the show, Dr. Inman.
Dr. Alan Inman (00:08)
Thank you for this invitation. I think we’re going to be talking about really wonderful topics here that everybody’s going to be interested in, and I think it will affect everyone in a positive way.
Mike (00:32)
I think so. Dr. Inman actually has two clinics in Costa Rica. He’s a medical director of a stem cell clinic, which I know personally, because I just went to him last week for stem cell therapy. Top notch. And he is a red light therapy expert, so he’ll be sharing his wisdom so you can make the most out of your red light therapy devices. Now, just a little housekeeping before we get started. Each episode is designed to be no more than 15 minutes each, so you as a listener can listen on your way to work or at the gym.
Dr. Alan Inman (00:38)
Self-language. Know personally. And it is a… if you show.
Mike (01:02)
Or even ironically during one of your red light therapy sessions. So today we’re going to get started with a topic called the foundation and performance series. Now the main topic today is how exactly light powers your cells. So Dr. Inman, are you ready for me to fire some questions at you related to how red light therapy powers your cells? Okay. By the way, for all you listeners out there, if you want to ask a question,
Dr. Alan Inman (01:18)
Go for it. Yes, sir. Ready to go.
Mike (01:31)
Just go to redlighttherapypodcast.com, submit your question to us and it’ll be answered in a future episode. Okay, so Dr. Inman, let’s go ahead and get started. Why does sitting in front of a red light make us feel less tired?
Dr. Alan Inman (01:47)
Well, we first have to analyze that photobiomodulation, which is also red light therapy. It’s not a placebo effect or a psychological effect. It’s actually promoting the production of energy in your cells. And so if we have this increased energy, then that’s what we’re feeling at the end of the day. And it’s something that one can feel with just one session. It’s important to know that when we’re talking about red light therapy, there is red and infrared red light therapy. And we’re going to find that when we’re looking at these, you’re going to look at between 630 and 660, which is your red, and then your infrared is important to know that it’s between 810 and 880.
This will be different, and we’ll talk about this later in more episodes. But the important component is the fact that what’s going to happen is the red light is going to reach the mitochondria, which is the powerhouse or the motor of that cell. And what it’s going to promote is the production of energy, known as ATP. So it’ll be able to increase the utilization of oxygen. And in turn, you’re going to have the appropriate energy to move.
Is Red Light Therapy Just a Caffeine Alternative?
Mike (03:17)
So is this just a caffeine alternative or is this doing something deeper?
Dr. Alan Inman (03:21)
This is a great question. So when we look at red light therapy versus caffeine, we’re going to look at the fact that the way caffeine works is it blocks adenosine. Adenosine is something that is important for all of you to know. It’s way more important than melatonin for sleep. Adenosine is a byproduct from ATP energy when you’re using it. And when you have this block, that’s why you’re in alert mode.
While in all reality, red light therapy is helping you to improve ATP production. And therefore, you’ll have more efficiency of this production in comparison to caffeine. The other thing is when you start looking at caffeine, you’re going to look at the fact that we have two components of an electrical system called our autonomic nervous system. A lot of us have heard of fight or flight — that’s our sympathetic. And then the vagus nerve is the director of the parasympathetic. What happens is caffeine puts us more towards fight or flight, while red light therapy is more of a calming effect. It’s going to help us also with our mood.
The other thing is caffeine will cause a crash afterwards — you’re not going to have that with red light therapy. And then there’s a component where caffeine can dehydrate you and increase cortisol, whereas red light therapy does not. And then at the end of the day, caffeine is masking fatigue, while red light therapy is reducing the biological cause of fatigue.
How Does Mitochondria Recharge With Light?
Mike (05:18)
You mentioned mitochondria, which is what people refer to as the powerhouse of the cell. So how exactly does light recharge this mitochondria?
Dr. Alan Inman (05:33)
Okay, well under normal conditions, we’re all under inflammation and aging and toxins. And then there’s hypoxia, which is the lack of oxygen. All of these will induce a component of the mitochondria to be blocked by nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide is necessary because it vasodilates — opens up blood vessels so you have more blood flow, nutrients, and oxygen. But when it blocks the mitochondria, that lowers ATP production and oxygen utilization. Red light therapy activates an enzyme called cytochrome c oxidase, which absorbs red light, grabs this nitric oxide, releases it, and allows oxygen to work properly. Then you’ll have all the energy production necessary.
I try to look at it this way: mitochondria weren’t originally part of us — they came from bacteria in a symbiotic relationship to give us more energy. We inherit mitochondria from our mother, and red light therapy induces optimal function.
How Often Should You Use Red Light Therapy?
Mike (07:46)
How many times a day do I need to do red light therapy to really feel a difference?
Dr. Alan Inman (07:49)
Fantastic question. With high-quality lights, just 10–12 minutes per side is more than enough. You only need to do it once a day.
There’s a law called Arndt-Schulz: too little dose won’t stimulate your cells, optimal dose gives peak effect, and too much can reduce effectiveness. So if you overdo it — multiple sessions per day — you might get the opposite effect. Most individuals feel subtle improvement after one session, more noticeable improvement after 5–7 days, and peak adaptation between two to three months.
Can You Use It Midday?
Mike (11:10)
Can I use red light therapy midday to avoid the common afternoon crash?
Dr. Alan Inman (11:10)
It’s a great idea for physicians, CEOs, or anyone with a busy schedule. Doing it between 1:00–3:30 PM helps counter post-meal sleepiness and circadian dips. It increases energy without overstimulating your system.
Is There a Best Time of Day?
Mike (12:23)
Is there a specific time of day that works best for energy?
Dr. Alan Inman (12:31)
It depends on your objective. In the morning, it can help with workouts and circadian alignment. Midday helps prevent the afternoon slump. Evening is not recommended — increasing energy before sleep goes against natural circadian rhythms. I personally like morning use, often after working out.
How Long Do Effects Last?
Mike (13:53)
How long do the energy-boosting effects typically last?
Dr. Alan Inman (13:53)
They can last 4–8 hours, sometimes up to 12 hours depending on the study. Red light therapy stimulates mitochondrial communication across the body. It helps prevent fatigue but does not interfere with sleep like caffeine.
Closing
Mike (15:00)
Dr. Alan, thank you so much for your wisdom on behalf of all our listeners. For those who want their questions answered, go to redlighttherapypodcast.com and submit them. We’ll see you in episode two.
Dr. Alan Inman (15:15)
Of course, great to be here. See you next time.
