Bjorn Ekeberg: Red light therapy is gaining traction among athletes, many devices are ineffective or harmful, and scientific principles validate its therapeutic benefits | Jordan Harbinger

Red light therapy's scientific backing faces credibility challenges amid a surge of ineffective and misleading products.

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Add us on Google by Editorial Team Apr. 10, 2026

Key takeaways

• Red light therapy has scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness for various health benefits.
• The therapy is gaining mainstream awareness, especially among athletes in the US.
• Red light therapy works at a physical level, contributing to its traction in the wellness industry.
• Many red light therapy devices on the market are ineffective and can potentially be harmful.
• The proliferation of ineffective products threatens the credibility of red light therapy technology.
• Some red light therapy products are scams lacking scientific backing.
• Red light therapy is primarily used for recovery from muscular and skeletal conditions.
• Red and near infrared light therapy can significantly reduce muscular skeletal pain and inflammation.
• The design of certain devices allows for deeper penetration of light therapy compared to traditional panels.
• Near infrared light penetrates the skin and is crucial for cellular energy conversion.
• The effectiveness of red light therapy is supported by its ability to reduce pain and inflammation.
• The market is saturated with misleading products, emphasizing the need for scientifically-backed therapies.
• Consumer skepticism is a risk due to the prevalence of ineffective red light therapy products.
• The scientific principles behind red light therapy are key to understanding its physiological effects.
• The adoption of red light therapy in sports and wellness reflects its growing relevance.

Guest intro

Bjorn Ekeberg is co-founder and CEO of Recharge Health, a health technology company focused on red and near-infrared light therapy devices. He holds a PhD in the philosophy of science and has dedicated his career to separating evidence-backed benefits from marketing hype in the photobiomodulation space. His work bridges rigorous scientific research with practical applications, including recent observational studies demonstrating improved mitochondrial efficiency and reduced fatigue markers in users of targeted light therapy.

The rise of red light therapy in mainstream health

• Red light therapy is becoming more mainstream, especially in the US, with athletes showing significant interest. – Bjorn Ekeberg

• It’s become closer to mainstream awareness especially in the US… athletes are into it

  — Bjorn Ekeberg

• The therapy is recognized for its physical benefits, contributing to its popularity.

• The reason… why you’re saying it still has a moment I think is because at the core it is something that fundamentally works at a physical level.

  — Bjorn Ekeberg

• The growing acceptance in sports and wellness highlights its relevance.
• Understanding the evolution of red light therapy is crucial for appreciating its current status.
• The trend reflects a significant shift in how alternative therapies are perceived.
• The therapy’s effectiveness is a driving force behind its mainstream adoption.

The science behind red light therapy

• Red light therapy operates at a physical level, which is why it is effective.

• The reason… why you’re saying it still has a moment I think is because at the core it is something that fundamentally works at a physical level.

  — Bjorn Ekeberg

• Near infrared light is critical for cellular energy conversion.

• The special thing about near infrared light is that the wavelength is just long enough that it penetrates the skin… your cells convert it into energy.

  — Bjorn Ekeberg

• The therapy’s ability to reduce pain and inflammation is well-documented.

• Muscular skeletal types of pain can be significantly reduced and this is also true of inflammation which is often linked to pain.

  — Bjorn Ekeberg

• The design of devices affects the penetration and effectiveness of light therapy.

• If you have a device that you can use straight on the skin that has a similar kind of power density… then this is gonna penetrate more deeply.

  — Bjorn Ekeberg

• Understanding the scientific principles is key to evaluating red light therapy’s legitimacy.
• The biological mechanisms of near infrared light are crucial for its therapeutic effects.

The credibility crisis in red light therapy products

• Many red light therapy devices on the market are ineffective and can be harmful.

• I’ve seen people say oh you know I’d use red light therapy for this I use red light therapy for that and it almost turned into a kind of like spray some windex on it… at best placebo and at worst you’re putting some weird thing on your arm that’s giving you a light sunburn or just not doing anything at all.

  — Bjorn Ekeberg

• The proliferation of ineffective products threatens the technology’s credibility.

• My source of irritation is that it threatens the whole potential of the technology that people say oh yeah this is bullshit this is another hype thing.

  — Bjorn Ekeberg

• Some products are scams without scientific backing.

• It’s just dumb… it’s just another scam it’s snake oil but it’s light.

  — Bjorn Ekeberg

• Consumer skepticism is a risk due to misleading products.
• The market’s saturation with ineffective products emphasizes the need for quality control.
• Maintaining scientific integrity is crucial to prevent consumer skepticism.

The therapeutic benefits of red light therapy

• Red light therapy is primarily used for recovery from muscular and skeletal conditions.

• The three main parts I would say anything muscular skeletal pains inflammations recovery of muscular skeletal conditions.

  — Bjorn Ekeberg

• The therapy can significantly reduce pain and inflammation.

• Muscular skeletal types of pain can be significantly reduced and this is also true of inflammation which is often linked to pain.

  — Bjorn Ekeberg

• The effectiveness of the therapy is supported by scientific evidence.
• Understanding the intended applications is crucial for evaluating its benefits.
• The therapy’s ability to reduce inflammation is a key benefit.
• The focus on recovery highlights its relevance in sports and wellness.

The design and efficacy of red light therapy devices

• The design of devices affects the penetration and effectiveness of light therapy.

• The whole purpose the way you usually use a red light therapy panel is you stand at a distance… 80% of the light is gone before it reaches your skin.

  — Bjorn Ekeberg

• Devices that allow for deeper penetration are more effective.

• If you have a device that you can use straight on the skin that has a similar kind of power density… then this is gonna penetrate more deeply.

  — Bjorn Ekeberg

• The mechanics of light therapy are crucial for understanding its efficacy.
• The distance from the skin affects the therapy’s effectiveness.
• The design improvements enhance the therapeutic benefits of light therapy.
• Evaluating device design is key to understanding its effectiveness.

The biological mechanisms of near infrared light

• Near infrared light penetrates the skin and is crucial for cellular energy conversion.

• The special thing about near infrared light is that the wavelength is just long enough that it penetrates the skin… your cells convert it into energy.

  — Bjorn Ekeberg

• The biological mechanisms are key to understanding the therapy’s effects.
• Cellular energy conversion is a critical aspect of near infrared light therapy.
• The wavelength of near infrared light is essential for its penetration.
• The therapy’s effectiveness is linked to its impact on cellular function.
• Understanding the biological basis is crucial for evaluating its benefits.

The market challenges of red light therapy

• The market is saturated with misleading products, emphasizing the need for scientifically-backed therapies.
• Many devices are ineffective and can be harmful, posing a risk to credibility.
• The proliferation of scams threatens the potential of the technology.
• Consumer skepticism is a risk due to the prevalence of ineffective products.
• The need for quality control is highlighted by the market’s saturation.
• Maintaining scientific integrity is crucial to prevent consumer skepticism.
• The market challenges underscore the importance of evidence-based practices.

The future of red light therapy in wellness

• The growing acceptance in sports and wellness highlights its relevance.
• The therapy’s effectiveness is a driving force behind its mainstream adoption.
• Understanding the evolution of red light therapy is crucial for appreciating its current status.
• The trend reflects a significant shift in how alternative therapies are perceived.
• The rise of red light therapy indicates its potential in the wellness industry.
• The focus on recovery and pain management is key to its future relevance.
• The therapy’s scientific backing supports its continued adoption in wellness.

The importance of scientific integrity in wellness products

• Maintaining scientific integrity is crucial to prevent consumer skepticism.
• The market’s saturation with ineffective products emphasizes the need for quality control.
• The proliferation of scams threatens the potential of the technology.
• Consumer skepticism is a risk due to the prevalence of misleading products.
• The need for evidence-based practices is highlighted by the market challenges.
• Understanding the scientific principles is key to evaluating red light therapy’s legitimacy.
• The importance of scientific integrity underscores the need for credible wellness products.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.