# Episode 378: Red Light Therapy: Sunlight, Mitochondria, Sleep, and How to Use Devices Correctly with Ari Whitten

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/flex-diet-podcast-880226/episode-378-red-light-therapy-sunlight-mitochondria-sleep-and-how-to-use-devices-correctly-with-ari-whitten
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/flex-diet-podcast-880226/episode-378-red-light-therapy-sunlight-mitochondria-sleep-and-how-to-use-devices-correctly-with-ari-whitten.md
Podcast: [Flex Diet Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/flex-diet-podcast-880226)
Published: 2026-04-13T19:37:52+00:00
Episode link: https://flex-diet-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/episode-378-red-light-therapy-sunlight-mitochondria-sleep-and-how-to-use-devices-correctly-with-ari-whitten-0jtoLJ3S
Audio file: https://cdn.simplecast.com/media/audio/transcoded/53e3d261-c5f9-44f9-a22d-bab6ffed6551/2ea3e4d9-cc52-4227-aaaf-5243dca4406b/episodes/audio/group/6cb36003-6f36-4654-86ee-4b55ef673634/group-item/db383927-593f-4cf4-a217-80df735da3db/128_default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=_12E74LS
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/flex-diet-podcast-880226/episodes/episode-378-red-light-therapy-sunlight-mitochondria-sleep-and-how-to-use-devices-correctly-with-ari-whitten
Duration seconds: 3486

## Resource

In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I sit down with my good buddy Ari Whitten to talk all about red light therapy (photobiomodulation) and why it’s become so popular lately. We dig into how red and near-infrared light fits into an evolutionary sunlight context, why those wavelengths penetrate tissue differently, and how they can influence mitochondria, recovery, and performance. Ari also breaks down the confusing part most people miss: device choice and dosing aren’t one-size-fits-all, and “more power” isn’t always better, especially for sensitive areas like facial skin and the eyes. We also get into emerging research on sleep and melatonin (including intracellular melatonin), as well as practical considerations such as clothing and light penetration. Ari’s updated book, The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy (2.0), is out now. Sponsors: Daily Fitness Insider Newsletter: https://flex-diet.kit.com/bfa1510fa8

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## Transcript

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