The Laser Light Show

If you wanted to improve running endurance, where would you apply laser therapy? The legs seem like an obvious choice. But what happens when researchers treat the abdomen instead? In this episode of The Laser Light Show, Dr. Chad Woolner explores a 2025 study published in Advanced Science investigating photobiomodulation and the gut-muscle connection. He walks through the experimental treatment groups and their endurance results, then examines the biological findings behind the performance measurements. The discussion connects intestinal tissue, microbial changes, circulating metabolites, and muscle mitochondrial markers. Chad also considers how these findings might inform new questions about local and systemic responses to light-based interventions. In this episode: Why researchers compared leg treatment, abdominal treatment, and a combination. What they measured beyond treadmill time to exhaustion. Why the abdomen-only results challenge an intuitive treatment choice. The proposed roles of the gut lining, microbiome, and chemical messengers. Where butyrate, spermidine, and carnitine enter the conversation. What remains unknown about the mechanisms and translation to human care. Research context: This was a 980 nm laser study in antibiotic-pretreated mice. It does not establish a human performance or injury-treatment protocol or equivalent effects from a different device. The clinical applications discussed in the episode are exploratory interpretations. Read the study: https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202511582 Free full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12697884/ Subscribe to The Laser Light Show for more conversations about low-level laser therapy, photobiomodulation, and emerging research. YouTube description Could treating the gut change how long the legs can keep going? Dr. Chad Woolner breaks down a mouse study exploring laser therapy and the gut-muscle connection, including endurance results, microbiome changes, and muscle metabolism. He discusses what the findings suggest and the questions they raise for future human research. CHAPTERS 00:00 A new study asks whether laser therapy can improve endurance 01:58 What the study measured beyond treadmill endurance 02:23 Endurance results: abdomen treatment outperforms legs alone 03:43 Why the gut result challenges the obvious treatment choice 05:03 Mouse findings are not human evidence 05:56 Gut lining, microbiome, and systemic effects 08:17 Butyrate, spermidine, carnitine, and muscle metabolism 10:03 How gut changes might complement direct muscle treatment 10:53 The clinical takeaway for performance and injury protocols 12:16 Study context and closing STUDY Upadhyay P, Banstola A, Bhayana B, Wu MX. Photobiomodulation Strengthens Muscles via Its Dual Functions in Gut Microbiota. Advanced Science. 2025;12:e11582. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202511582 Free full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12697884/ This research used 980 nm laser light in antibiotic-pretreated mice. It does not establish clinical effectiveness for human endurance or injury care. Clinical applications discussed are exploratory. Subscribe for more episodes of The Laser Light Show. #LaserTherapy #Photobiomodulation #GutHealth  

The Science of Light: How Laser Therapy Influences the Brain and Body The Laser Light Show | Dr. Chad Woolner & Dr. Trevor Berry What if light does far more than help us see? What if specific wavelengths could influence cellular activity, nervous system function, and the way our bodies respond to the world around us? In this episode of The Laser Light Show, Dr. Chad Woolner and Dr. Trevor Berry explore the evolving science of low-level laser therapy (LLLT), also known as photobiomodulation (PBM), and the remarkable ways light interacts with human physiology. The conversation begins with an examination of laser therapy research, FDA clearances, and why understanding the differences between medical devices matters. The discussion then moves into the fascinating field of optogenetics, where researchers have demonstrated how genetically introduced light-sensitive proteins can be used to control the activity of specific neurons. Chad and Trevor also explore the relationship between light and mitochondrial function, the emerging research surrounding neuroplasticity and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and the potential role of photobiomodulation in supporting brain health. Beyond the laboratory, they discuss the importance of movement, exercise, nutrition, and the brain–gut connection, including a clinical experience that illustrates why nervous system function deserves attention as part of a comprehensive approach to health. In this episode, you'll discover: Why research quality and FDA-cleared indications matter when evaluating laser therapy devices. The difference between FDA clearance based on substantial equivalence and evidence from device-specific clinical trials. How light-sensitive cellular receptors interact with different wavelengths. What optogenetics reveals about the relationship between light and nervous system activity. Why mitochondria and cytochrome c oxidase are important in photobiomodulation research. How scientists are studying light therapy in relation to neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, and BDNF. Why exercise and movement remain essential components of brain health. How the brain–gut axis and autonomic nervous system influence digestive function. Why nutrition, supplementation, and nervous system rehabilitation may need to work together. How mindset and expectations can influence measurable physiological responses. The bigger picture One of the central themes of this episode is that health is not simply a matter of supplying the body with the right chemicals or nutrients. The body also depends on energy production, neural communication, movement, and appropriate environmental signals. Photobiomodulation is an emerging area of research investigating how targeted light exposure may influence some of these processes. Join Dr. Woolner and Dr. Berry for an engaging discussion of the science, clinical possibilities, and unanswered questions surrounding light-based therapies. Learn more: Erchonia: https://www.erchonia.com Brain Restore Centers: https://www.brainrestorecenters.com About the hosts Dr. Chad Woolner and Dr. Trevor Berry are chiropractic physicians and clinical educators who explore research, applications, and developments in low-level laser therapy and photobiomodulation. Educational disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Research into several neurological applications of photobiomodulation remains preliminary. Device clearance applies to specific devices and indications, not to every proposed use of laser therapy.

The Hidden Effects of Concussions: Can Laser Therapy Help the Brain Heal? The Laser Light Show | Featuring Dr. Chad Woolner and Dr. Trevor Berry What if the brain fog, dizziness, fatigue, or mood changes someone is experiencing today could be connected to a head injury they suffered years ago? Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) aren't always obvious. A person doesn't necessarily have to lose consciousness, require hospitalization, or have an abnormal conventional brain scan to experience a concussion. And for some patients, symptoms can persist long after the initial injury. In this episode of The Laser Light Show, Dr. Chad Woolner sits down with Dr. Trevor Berry to explore the complex neurological consequences of traumatic brain injuries—and the emerging research surrounding low-level laser therapy, also known as photobiomodulation (PBM), as a potential therapeutic approach. Drawing on clinical experiences and scientific research, they discuss how brain injuries may affect far more than memory and concentration, why comprehensive neurological assessments matter, and how light-based therapies are being investigated for their effects on cellular energy, neuroinflammation, and brain network function. What You'll Discover Why "mild" doesn't always mean insignificant: Understanding the difference between the initial severity of a brain injury and the symptoms that may follow. The hidden symptoms of concussion: How brain injuries can be associated with dizziness, balance difficulties, fatigue, mood changes, and other neurological complaints. Neuroinflammation and recovery: The role of microglia, inflammatory signaling, and the brain's response to injury. The brain-body connection: Exploring the autonomic nervous system, vagus nerve, digestive function, and hormonal changes that may occur after TBI. Beyond traditional imaging: Why neurological examination, symptom assessment, balance testing, and other carefully selected evaluations can provide additional clinical information. The potential of photobiomodulation: What researchers are investigating about light therapy, mitochondrial activity, and neurological recovery. Why laser parameters matter: The importance of wavelength, irradiance, treatment dose, device characteristics, and appropriate safety precautions. Individualized rehabilitation: Why different patients with persistent post-concussion symptoms may require different assessment and management strategies. A Clinical Perspective on Brain Recovery One of the central themes of this conversation is that successful neurological rehabilitation requires looking beyond a single symptom or diagnosis. Dr. Berry discusses the importance of understanding how traumatic injuries may affect interconnected brain networks and physiological systems. Dr. Woolner explores the importance of creating an environment that supports recovery through appropriate assessment, nutrition, activity, rehabilitation, and individualized care. They also examine the promise—and current limitations—of photobiomodulation research for traumatic brain injury. Who Should Listen? This episode is especially relevant for chiropractors, functional neurology practitioners, rehabilitation professionals, laser therapy providers, and other healthcare professionals interested in concussion management and emerging neurological therapies. It's also an educational resource for patients and families seeking a better understanding of persistent symptoms following a head injury. About the Speakers Dr. Chad Woolner is a chiropractic physician, educator, and healthcare entrepreneur with extensive experience in integrated clinical care and low-level laser therapy. Dr. Trevor Berry is a chiropractic physician, functional neurology educator, and experienced lecturer on photobiomodulation and neurological rehabilitation. Learn More Brain Restore Centers: https://brainrestorecenters.com Erchonia Corporation: https://www.erchonia.com For additional information about concussion diagnosis, management, and recovery, visit the CDC's HEADS UP resources: https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/ Subscribe to The Laser Light Show for more conversations about photobiomodulation, laser therapy research, clinical applications, and emerging approaches to patient care. Important Medical Disclaimer This podcast is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute individualized medical advice. Photobiomodulation for traumatic brain injury remains an investigational application, and clinical effectiveness, optimal dosing, and long-term outcomes require further research. Individuals with suspected concussion or persistent neurological symptoms should seek evaluation from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Decisions about return to sports or other activities should follow established concussion management guidelines.

About the Guest: Dr. Trevor Berry, DC, DACNB, is the Chief Clinical Officer and co-founder of Brain Restore Centers and the architect of its four-pillar clinical model. He has been in practice for more than 30 years, has used low level laser therapy for over 20, and has lectured on integrative neurology for about 15 years, including teaching for Erchonia. He has served as a principal investigator on Erchonia clinical research, including a published randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study of low level laser for low back pain. About the Host: Dr. Chad Woolner is a healthcare practitioner, consultant and clinical educator, co-host of the Laser Light Show with Dr. Andrew Wells, and a co-founder of Brain Restore Centers. Episode Summary: Dr. Trevor Berry is back on the Laser Light Show, this time recorded at his clinic in Arizona. It has been years since his first interview (Episode #10) and the late-night session with Dr. Brandon Brock (Episode #22), and a lot has happened since: a friendship and a shared vision that grew into Brain Restore Centers, a network of roughly 25 to 30 clinics, established or in development, built around a multi-pillar approach to brain health. Dr. Woolner and Dr. Berry talk about why, when Dr. Berry cross-references the research and multiple AI research tools, movement and transcranial photobiomodulation keep rising to the top for protecting the brain, and why low level laser is the one tool he would not give up. They walk through what Dr. Berry sees clinically, a cognitive score that moved from 22 to 28 over about 90 days, and why the network leans on several objective markers (computerized balance testing, a bedside neurological exam, symptom indexes and qEEG) instead of any single test. The highlight: a live seminar demonstration with Dr. Michael Trayford, where real-time 3D brain mapping (sLORETA) was projected for the audience while Erchonia handheld lasers were applied, and overactive "hot spots" visibly calmed. The conversation closes on dose (more is not better), the push to collect and publish outcome data across the network, and why every practitioner should be protecting their own brain. Key Takeaways: Two inputs keep rising to the top: When Dr. Berry cross-references the literature and several AI research tools on what best protects and repairs the brain, movement/exercise and transcranial photobiomodulation consistently top the list. The modality he won't give up: Of everything in his clinic (neurofeedback, oxygen therapies, functional neurology and more), low level laser is the one tool Dr. Berry says he would keep above all. One score is a data point; several are a trend: A MoCA improvement from 22 to 28 is meaningful, but confidence comes from multiple markers moving together: balance, bedside neuro exam, symptom index and qEEG. Function, not just structure: MRI and CT are essential for ruling out fractures or bleeds, but many people with a "normal" scan still feel far from normal. Functional testing helps map where network interference is happening. You can watch the brain respond: In a live sLORETA demonstration with Dr. Michael Trayford, overactive regions visibly calmed when Erchonia handheld lasers were applied. Dose matters: More is not better with the brain. Dr. Berry describes a hormetic "sweet spot" and a true, low-powered laser as the combination that matters. Protect your own brain: Whatever your specialty, brain health interests every patient, and the first brain worth protecting is your own. Notable Quotes: “If you said, "Trevor, what's the one that you don't want to give up?" It's going to be low-level laser therapy.” – Dr. Trevor Berry “When you start to see multiple things improving together from a functional standpoint, you can have a much higher level of confidence in terms of your outcomes.” – Dr. Chad Woolner “Our number one job in healthcare is do no harm.” – Dr. Trevor Berry “Brain health is on everyone's mind, no pun intended.” – Dr. Trevor Berry “You don't buy a laser for your practice. You buy it for your own brain and your family members, and your patients just get to be the benefactor of that.” – Dr. Trevor Berry In This Episode: [00:00] Welcome, recorded at Dr. Berry's clinic in Arizona [01:20] Catching up since Episode #10 and the late-night Episode #22 [02:38] The introduction that started it all, and the origins of Brain Restore Centers [05:21] Cross-referencing the research: movement and photobiomodulation keep coming out on top [06:55] The one modality Dr. Berry won't give up, and why Erchonia [07:59] The most exciting things seen clinically across the network [11:40] A MoCA score from 22 to 28: what that actually means [13:47] Why multiple objective markers matter: balance, bedside neuro exam, symptoms, qEEG [17:00] Structural vs. functional testing and network interference [18:06] Watching brain activity change in real time: the sLORETA demo with Dr. Michael Trayford [20:41] Penetration myths, the Erchonia fMRI pilot and the dose "sweet spot" [22:46] Building a network that collects and publishes outcome data [23:49] Making brain-based care learnable for non-specialists [25:55] Protect your own brain [26:57] Wrap-up and what's coming next Resources and References: Episode #10: Low Level Lasers and the Future of Brain Health with Dr. Trevor Berry Episode #22: Late Night Discussion with Dr. Trevor Berry and Dr. Brandon Brock Dr. Michael Trayford, APEX Brain Centers (Asheville, NC) Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Erchonia FDA clearances Erchonia EVRL (red/violet handheld laser) Erchonia GVL (green/violet handheld laser) Berry TS et al. (2020). A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study evaluating the effectiveness of a low-level laser device for treating lower back pain. Carrick Institute The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) Erchonia About Lasers (Erchonia) Brain Restore Centers Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who could benefit. Healthcare practitioners: join our free Facebook group, Functional Health Mastery (facebook.com/groups/FunctionalHealthMastery), to learn more about low level laser therapy and the tools and techniques we use to help patients.

About the Guest(s): Dr. Chad Woolner is a healthcare practitioner, consultant, and clinical educator with significant expertise in the field of low level laser therapy (LLLT). As the host of the Laser Light Show podcast, Dr. Woolner shares his knowledge and passion for advanced therapeutic techniques, which have significantly impacted his practice in helping patients with various health challenges. His background includes integrating laser therapy into clinical practices to enhance patient outcomes and improve the range of cases he can address. Episode Summary: In this illuminating episode of the Laser Light Show, Dr. Chad Woolner dives deep into the art of explaining low level laser therapy (LLLT) to patients and the general public. Drawing on his extensive experience as a healthcare practitioner and educator, Dr. Woolner provides listeners with practical strategies and valuable insights into communicating the benefits, scientific foundation, and applications of laser therapy. This episode serves as a comprehensive resource for healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their patient education on this transformative technology. Throughout the podcast, Dr. Woolner emphasizes the biological importance of light in human health and explores how LLLT leverages this connection. He tackles common questions about laser therapy, such as how wavelengths affect therapeutic outcomes, and addresses misconceptions about the technology. Dr. Woolner shares his personal journey with LLLT and outlines real-world scenarios where practitioners can demonstrate its effectiveness to patients. With actionable advice, this episode demystifies LLLT, making it accessible and understandable for both practitioners and patients. Key Takeaways: Understanding Light and Biology: Our biological systems are inherently responsive to light, which is pivotal in governing various bodily rhythms and processes, such as circadian cycles and hormone regulation. Laser Therapy's Mechanism: Low level laser therapy works by delivering non-thermal, coherent light that influences cellular function, particularly enhancing mitochondria activity and ATP synthesis. Practical Demonstrations: Demonstrating LLLT's efficacy through pre-and post-treatment functional tests can effectively communicate its benefits to patients. Integrative Approach: Combining LLLT with other therapies, such as chiropractic adjustments and corrective exercises, can greatly enhance patient outcomes. Scientific Foundation: Dr. Woolner underscores the robust research backing LLLT, emphasizing its proven clinical benefits and dispelling myths about penetration and power requirements. Notable Quotes: "Biologically speaking, we are as human beings driven by light." "Photon energy is what largely drives those things, both biologically and hormonally." "Lasers are the single most effective tool that I have ever integrated into my practice." "When you're not necessarily going to feel it, a picture is worth a thousand words." "We are channeling and using light energy to influence our body's biochemistry." Resources: About Lasers Facebook Group: Functional Health Mastery Join Dr. Chad Woolner's captivating exploration of low level laser therapy and discover how these powerful tools are revolutionizing healthcare. Listen to the full episode for a deeper understanding and stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Laser Light Show.