Red Light Therapy ADHD: What New Brain Research Reveals

Red Light Therapy for ADHD: What Brain Research Says About Photobiomodulation

Red Light Therapy for ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder affects the brain systems that manage focus, impulse control, and working memory. The most common treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is medication that is a stimulant. This type of medication works by increasing the levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This improves focus for most people. This treatment does not work for everyone, nor does it address the side effects that often occur.

In response to these issues, scientists have started to explore other methods that could affect attention networks without medication. Red light therapy for ADHD has become a focus for scientists. This type of therapy is known as transcranial photobiomodulation.

The basis for this therapy is based on the metabolism of the brain. The different wavelengths of light interact with the enzymes that manage the metabolism of the cell. This could affect the tissue in the brain that manages attention networks. Research on this type of therapy has just started.

How Red Light Therapy May Change Brain Activity

Red light therapy, often called photobiomodulation (PBM), uses wavelengths of visible red and near-infrared light to influence biological processes in tissue.

When applied to the scalp in transcranial treatments, these wavelengths can penetrate the skull and reach the outer layers of the brain. The goal is not heat or tissue destruction. Instead, the light interacts with cellular structures that regulate energy production.

The primary biological target appears to be cytochrome c oxidase, a component of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. When this enzyme absorbs light in the red or near-infrared spectrum, several processes may occur:

• Increased mitochondrial ATP production
  
  
• Improved cellular oxygen utilization
  
  
• Changes in nitric oxide signaling
  
  
• Increased regional blood flow
  
  

Neurons require large amounts of energy to maintain electrical signaling. Because of this high metabolic demand, therapies that support mitochondrial activity are being studied for neurological conditions ranging from traumatic brain injury to cognitive decline.

ADHD researchers have begun asking a related question. If photobiomodulation can influence energy metabolism and blood flow in the brain, could it also affect networks that regulate attention?

Why ADHD Research Focuses on the Prefrontal Cortex

Lots of ADHD studies zero in on the prefrontal cortex - and with good reason. This part of the brain plays a huge part in helping us get our acts together, aka executive function. Of all the areas within the prefrontal cortex, researchers are particularly keen on looking at the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) because it helps take charge of a bunch of cognitive processes linked to attention - that's to say, getting the right focus on the right thing at the right time.

Specifically, they're interested in:

• being able to tune in (or out) when you need to
• remembering things in the short term (that's working memory)
• making sensible decisions
• having some control over your thoughts

When they use brain imaging to take a closer look at how these networks work in people with ADHD, they often notice some pretty big differences in how they fire up. In some cases, activity in parts of the prefrontal cortex seems to be backed off on when you need to concentrate for a bit or otherwise keep your wits about you. And to some researchers, that problem looks like a sign that the metabolism in those circuits might be running a bit lower or less effectively.

That's one of the reasons why transcranial photobiomodulation has started to get some serious attention. You see, if you stick a light source to your scalp that's aimed at the prefrontal cortex and use the right wavelengths (in this case, red or near-infrared), that can send some of that light energy right into the tissue under the scalp and maybe influence how the cells in the prefrontal cortex are working - or how much blood is flowing in there.

If this sort of thing does manage to tweak the way the neural circuits in the dlPFC work, that could have a pretty big impact on the ability to pay attention.

What Early Studies Show About Red Light Therapy for ADHD

There was an early look at this idea in a 2022 paper that came out in the World Journal of Neuroscience. Researchers were trying to figure out whether low level laser therapy, a type of photobiomodulation, could be used to help people with ADHD.

The results from that study showed that some participants did see real improvements in their attention and behavior after getting treatment with the light therapy. To be honest, it didn't take too long for some folks to start noticing the effects of the treatment.

It's worth noting that the study isn't conclusive for one main reason - it only had a handful of subjects, and it didn't have the kind of design that scientists normally use when they're trying to prove a point in clinical trials.

Case studies, on the other hand, are usually designed to do something a bit different. They help scientists spot patterns or trends that could be worth looking into more closely. In this instance, the results suggested that it might actually be possible to influence how the brain works - specifically when it comes to attention - using photobiomodulation.

What New Research Reveals About Light Therapy for ADHD

A bunch of fairly solid research has started rolling out on this idea in recent times.

A 2025 study that was pre-printed, looked at transcranial photobiomodulation targeting the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in kids with ADHD. This one used a triple blind randomized crossover design which thats quite a bit more robust than the earlier exploratory work that had been done.

The participants got either the real deal - active light stimulation or a dummy treatment - in different sessions. The researchers then checked out the changes in attention using both behavioural tests and electrophysiological measurements.

Several points really stood out though.

People who got the active photobiomodulation saw improvements in selective attention markers compared to when they were in the control group. Reaction times improved in the attention tasks and the brain activity measurements said that there'd been a change in the way the things associated with attention control were working in the brain.

The parents reported improvements too in some of the behavioural indicators of inattention.

Because of how the study was laid out - with blinding and randomized conditions - this makes for a slightly more controlled look than we've seen before on how light stimulation might be working with the attention networks in the brain. In fairness though, the research is still pretty early on and hasn't had a full peer review yet.

Still even so, this adds to all the other research that's been going on looking into targeted light exposure and its potential to affect cognitive function.

Four Ways Light Therapy May Influence ADHD Attention Networks

These light effects are still being studied and understood as to the true mechanisms of how these effects are produced. Multiple biological pathways have been identified as plausible based on the existing literature regarding neuroscience. Some of the putative mechanisms are as follows:

1. Increased mitochondrial energy production

Photobiomodulation can produce increased mitochondria activity within a neuron. Because of the heavy reliance of the electrical signaling across neurons on ATP, an increase in the availability of energy would suggest that the communication between the brain will be done more efficiently.

2. Changes in cerebral blood flow

Applying near infrared light to a specific area of the brain may result in modifications of nitric oxide signaling which would alter the availability of vasodilation from blood vessels. The improved blood flow could also increase the oxygen supply to the areas of the brain that are highly metabolically active, such as the prefrontal cortex.

3. Modulation of neural network activity

Numerous imaging investigations suggest that photobiomodulation can impact the large scale neural networks involved in attention/executive control. The dlPFC is at the centre of multiple large scale neural networks related to attention/executive control.

4. Reduced oxidative stress and inflammation

The mitochondria mediate signaling pathways throughout the cell which modulate cell stress pathways. If photobiomodulation is effective in increasing the functionality of the mitochondria, there exists the potential for modulation via photobiomodulation of the inflammatory processes purveying on neuronal signaling. 

None of the above pathways have been validated within ADHD populations. However, there have been observations of any/all of the above pathways in a broader target population based upon the investigations from photobiomodulation with healthy brain tissue.

What Cognitive Effects Researchers Are Studying

Researchers studying transcranial photobiomodulation for attention disorders are generally interested in several measurable outcomes.

These include improvements in:

• sustained attention
  
  
• selective attention
  
  
• working memory performance
  
  
• reaction time during cognitive tasks
  
  
• behavioral measures of inattention
  
  

Some studies also measure event related potentials (ERPs) in brain recordings. These electrical signals reflect how the brain processes attention and sensory information. Changes in ERP patterns can indicate altered neural processing even before behavioral improvements appear.

The 2025 study mentioned earlier reported improvements in both behavioral performance and ERP markers associated with attention.

Is Red Light Therapy Safe for ADHD?

Photobiomodulation is commonly regarded as a non-invasive therapeutic treatment. Unlike some modalities that use electrical stimulation or surgical intervention, PBM uses low-intensity light and does not typically injure tissues if applied as intended. 

So far in the neurosciences, side effects from PBM have been few. The most frequently reported side effects are mild scalp warming and temporary fatigue after PBM applications; however, few serious adverse events have been reported in the literature. 

There are still several important caveats. 

1. Protocols used to ascertain the effects of PBM on different populations and applications differ greatly in terms of wavelength, power density, duration of exposure and frequency of treatment. Thus, the amount of light that actually enters the brain tissue varies according to these variables. 

2. The field of photobiomodulation is still maturing, and as a result,there is no generally accepted standard dose for BPB in the neurological field. 

3. For people with ADHD, PBM should be considered an investigational or experimental treatment and not intended to replace present medical treatment.

Who Is Studying Red Light Therapy for ADHD

There are several different groups who have an interest in photobiomodulation and attention disorders.

Research scientists (specifically, neuroscientists) have been investigating the interaction between light and mitochondrial metabolism in neurons. Clinicians have been looking at whether or not targeted light stimulation could enhance cognitive performance related to disorders involving executive dysfunction.

Parents of children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) often seek alternative treatment options, in addition to medication to improve their child’s ability to concentrate and focus. Adults interested in cognitive enhancement also want to understand how non-invasive neuromodulation technologies can potentially help them optimize their own cognitive abilities.

Each of these perspectives contributed to increased research activity within this area over the past 10 years.

Where ADHD Light Therapy Research Is Heading

Several developments could shape the next stage of research on light-based therapies for ADHD. One priority is larger randomized clinical trials. Many current studies involve small participant groups, so larger trials will be necessary to determine whether early results can be reproduced across broader populations.

Scientists are also working to refine how light is delivered to the brain. The exact placement of a light source on the scalp may influence which neural pathways receive stimulation, making precise targeting an important area of investigation.

Wearable photobiomodulation devices may help standardize treatment protocols for both researchers and clinicians. Future studies may also examine whether combining photobiomodulation with existing interventions, such as behavioral therapy, cognitive training, or medication, produces stronger improvements in attention.

Because ADHD affects multiple brain systems, treatment often involves several approaches. Neuromodulation techniques like photobiomodulation may eventually become another tool clinicians can use to support attention and cognitive function.

Can Red Light Therapy Help ADHD?

Overall, red light therapy for ADHD is still an area of research rather than an established treatment.

According to early studies, transcranial photobiomodulation appears to have an impact on a portion of the brain responsible for attention, mainly the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which may support research findings regarding improvements in selective attention and/or reaction time from some experimental studies conducted at various locations.

In spite of the above studies and supporting data, numerous studies have focused on a limited number of subjects and there is no standardization between trial intensity or treatment duration to date.

Current research shows that neural tissue responds to light in specific measurable ways; continued investigation by neuroscientists of mitochondrial metabolism as well as neural networks will support a better understanding of how photon energy modulates attention within the central nervous system.

Photobiomodulation therapy is currently a developing field that should be monitored closely.

References

This article references peer-reviewed research and clinical studies on photobiomodulation and brain function.

1. Hamblin, M. R. (2016). Shining light on the head: Photobiomodulation for brain disorders. BBA Clinical, 6, 113–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbacli.2016.09.002
2. Hennessy, M., & Hamblin, M. R. (2017). Photobiomodulation and the brain: A new paradigm. Journal of Optics, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/2040-8986/19/1/013003
3. Salehpour, F., et al. (2018). Transcranial photobiomodulation therapy for cognitive enhancement and neurological disorders. BMC Neuroscience, 19, 1–14.
4. Rojas, J. C., & Gonzalez-Lima, F. (2013). Low-level light therapy of the eye and brain. Eye and Brain, 5, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.2147/EB.S21391
5. Gonzalez-Lima, F., & Barrett, D. W. (2014). Augmentation of cognitive brain functions with transcranial lasers. Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnsys.2014.00036
6. World Journal of Neuroscience Study (2022) – Low level laser therapy for ADHD symptoms. https://doi.org/10.4236/wjns.2022.123015
7. Transcranial Photobiomodulation and Attention Study (2025 Preprint) https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.09.18.25335086