# Red Light Therapy for the Brain: Can it Protect Football Players From Head Injuries & Improve ADHD Impulse Control in Adults?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-energy-code-2136601/red-light-therapy-for-the-brain-can-it-protect-football-players-from-head-injuries-improve-adhd-impulse-control-in-adults
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-energy-code-2136601/red-light-therapy-for-the-brain-can-it-protect-football-players-from-head-injuries-improve-adhd-impulse-control-in-adults.md
Podcast: [The Energy Code](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-energy-code-2136601)
Published: 2026-07-20T10:45:00+00:00
Episode link: https://theenergycode.podbean.com/e/red-light-therapy-for-the-brain-can-it-protect-football-players-from-head-injuries-improve-adhd-impulse-control-in-adults/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/6z8dm7p9zt4q9tgx/tPBM_for_football_ADHD_finoal_8u0n4.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-energy-code-2136601/episodes/red-light-therapy-for-the-brain-can-it-protect-football-players-from-head-injuries-improve-adhd-impulse-control-in-adults
Duration seconds: 1687

## Resource

In this Deep Dive, Dr. Mike Belkowski examines two new studies exploring transcranial photobiomodulation from completely different angles: protecting collegiate football players from the cumulative effects of repetitive head impacts and improving impulse control in adults with ADHD. The first study followed Division I football players across a full season and found that athletes using 810-nanometer transcranial and intranasal light maintained greater stability in MRI markers associated with neuroinflammation and axonal stress. The second study used 1,064-nanometer light over the right prefrontal cortex and reported improved impulse control, increased prefrontal oxygenation, and a 51% improvement in correct response inhibition among participants with ADHD after a single session. Although both studies are early and carry important limitations, they point toward the same underlying principle: brain health, resilience, and cognitive performance are deeply dependent on bioenergetics. Whether the goal is protecting the brain from repeated trauma or improving executive function, supporting mitochondrial energy production, oxygenation, and inflammatory balance may be the common lever. (Educational content only, not medical advice.) - Articles Discussed in Episode: Transcranial Photobiomodulation Promotes Neurological Resilience in Current Collegiate American Football Players Exposed to Repetitive Head Acceleration Events Transcranial photobiomodulation improves prefrontal oxygenation and impulse control in adults with ADHD: a randomized controlled trial - Key Quotes From Dr. Mike: “So much of brain health traces back to whether cells and mitochondria can make and utilize energy efficiently. “For every diagnosed concussion, hundreds of additional head-acceleration events may be…

## Actions

- request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-energy-code-2136601/episodes/red-light-therapy-for-the-brain-can-it-protect-football-players-from-head-injuries-improve-adhd-impulse-control-in-adults/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.
- read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-energy-code-2136601/red-light-therapy-for-the-brain-can-it-protect-football-players-from-head-injuries-improve-adhd-impulse-control-in-adults.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.

A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed.

## Transcript

Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.