Red Light Therapy and ADHD: A New Approach to Improving Focus

These days, people are hearing the term ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) more and more often.
But ADHD is not simply a matter of “being unable to sit still” or “being easily distracted.”
It can affect:
✓ Concentration and sustained attention
✓ Working memory and learning efficiency
✓ Emotional control and impulsive behavior
✓ Sleep quality and daily functioning

In addition to medication and behavioral therapy, the scientific community has recently begun researching a new complementary approach—red and near-infrared light therapy (Photobiomodulation, PBM).

The core issue of ADHD may be related to brain energy

Research has found that many people with ADHD have lower activity in the prefrontal cortex.
The prefrontal cortex is a critical region responsible for:

Attention
Decision-making
Memory management
Self-control
Emotional regulation.

When the brain lacks sufficient energy, the following issues may arise:

Inability to concentrate
Procrastination
Memory decline
Easily distracted
Significant mood swings, and other related problems.

How does red light therapy work on the brain?

Red light therapy is not a medication.
It uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to penetrate the scalp and stimulate the mitochondria within cells.
Mitochondria are known as the body’s “powerhouses.”
When mitochondria absorb light energy, they help:
✓ Boost ATP energy production
✓ Improve blood circulation in the brain
✓ Reduce oxidative stress
✓ Support nerve cell repair
✓ Enhance the efficiency of neural network function

This process is known as:

Photobiomodulation.

What have current studies found?

Although red light therapy has not yet been approved as an official treatment for ADHD, the results of early studies are quite promising.

Research indicates:

Improved working memory

After near-infrared light was applied to the prefrontal cortex, participants’ working memory performance improved significantly.

Improved attention

Some studies have found that transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) can improve sustained attention and reaction time.

Improved Sleep Quality

Many individuals with ADHD also experience sleep problems. Red light therapy helps support melatonin rhythms and sleep quality, and good sleep itself can enhance daytime focus and emotional stability.

Emotional and Stress Management

Research indicates that photobiomodulation may help reduce neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, further supporting emotional regulation and mental health.

Med Glow LED Recommended Treatment Protocol

Step 1
Cleanse the skin
Remove:
• Sunscreen
• Foundation
• Makeup
• Heavy skincare products

Step 2
Apply light directly
Recommended duration: 10–20 minutes
Maintain the distance specified in the device instructions.

Step 3
Apply skincare after the treatment
You may then:
✓ Moisturizer
✓ Serum
✓ Sunscreen

Why Do Modern People Need Red Light More Than Ever?

The lifestyles of modern people are vastly different from those of our ancestors:

Spending long hours indoors

Lack of natural sunlight

Prolonged use of smartphones and computers

Exposure to large amounts of blue light at night

These factors can all affect:

The body’s internal clock

Sleep quality

Brain energy metabolism

Red light and near-infrared light can supplement the important spectrum missing from modern life, helping the body return to a more natural operating mode.

Med Glow LED’s Perspective:
Red light therapy is not a “treatment” for ADHD. Nor can it replace:
A doctor’s diagnosis
Medication
Behavioral training
Psychotherapy

However, as a safe, non-invasive, and non-medication-dependent complementary tool, red light therapy has the potential to support focus, sleep quality, and overall brain health by “boosting the brain’s energy metabolism.”

Who Should Consider This?
✔ Easily distracted
✔ Declining work efficiency
✔ Chronic brain fog
✔ Poor sleep quality
✔ High-stress office workers
✔ Students
✔ ADHD patients as a complementary treatment