Lasers vs Painkillers: Deep-dive into Photobiomodulation

Guest: Forrest Smith — serial founder bringing clinic-grade photobiomodulation to a safe, wearable form factor. Theme: Why dose and delivery matter more than raw wattage for red light therapy. Key takeawaysWavelengths that work: Deep red 660 nm (blood flow, NO release, shallow penetration) + 808 nm near-IR (deeper tissues/joints).Mechanisms: Hemoglobin photodissociates NO → vasodilation + better O₂ delivery; mitochondria’s cytochrome c oxidase bottleneck relieved → higher ATP output; downstream: resilience to oxidative stress.Performance & recovery: Overnight reductions in CK and CRP let athletes train sooner; UFC PI and USA Weightlifting use cases mentioned.Brains & microvessels: Near-IR protocols tied to BDNF and microvascular improvements—an emerging Alzheimer’s angle.Dosing > device hype: Class-1 lasers allow precise, reproducible dosing to deeper targets; panels/LEDs spread light too broadly and shift dose by distance (inverse-square).Safety & contraindications: Class-1 lasers are eye-safe in normal use; titanium implants OK (osseointegration may improve). Pregnancy and active cancer: regulatory contraindications despite encouraging early data.Personal protocol (example): 15 min over carotids + 15 min lower abdomen (gut) upon waking; higher-melanin skin generally needs longer time at same power. Resources & links (from interview)Kineon: kineon.io Chapter markers (approx.) 00:00 Why red light now?  00:34 Mission: measurable QoL at scale  03:02 Risks of NSAIDs vs alternatives  03:34 660 nm + 808 nm explained  05:34 Newer NIR bands (905–1064 nm)  07:39 Penetration depth: red vs NIR  08:34 Photoacceptors & evolution (melanin)  10:28 Hemoglobin, NO, and O₂ delivery  12:02 Mitochondria & ATP bottleneck  14:06 Brain protection & TBI athletes  14:34 CK/CRP drops & faster training  15:55 Dosing by melanin level  17:49 Implants, pregnancy, cancer notes  21:22 Biphasic dose curve; laser classes  25:26 LEDs vs lasers; panels’ dose drift  27:50 Strongest evidence areas (wound, knee OA)  29:33 Gut–brain, BDNF, microvasc/Alzheimer’s  31:46 Forrest’s daily protocol (neck + gut)  34:00 Systemic effects; fertil Lies I Taught In Medical School : Free sample chapter- https://www.robertlufkinmd.com/lies/ Complete Metabolic Heart Scan (LUFKIN20 for 20% off) https://www.innerscopic.com/ Fasting Mimicking Diet (20% off) https://prolonlife.com/Lufkin At home blood testing (20% off) https://siphoxhealth.com/lufkin Mimio Health (LUFKIN for 15% off) https://mimiohealth.sjv.io/c/5810114/2745519/30611 Web: https://robertlufkinmd.com/ X: https://x.com/robertlufkinmd Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/robertLufkinmd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertlufkinmd/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertlufkinmd/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@robertlufkin Threads: https://www.threads.net/@robertlufkinmd Facebook: ...