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Huberman Lab

Using Red Light to Improve Metabolism & the Harmful Effects of LEDs | Dr. Glen Jeffery

Huberman Lab

Scicomm Media

Life Sciences, Science, Health & Fitness

4.826.2K Ratings

🗓️ 1 December 2025

⏱️ 134 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Dr. Glen Jeffery, PhD, is a professor of neuroscience at University College London and a leading expert on how different colors (wavelengths) of light impact cellular, organ and overall health. He explains that long-wavelength light (red, near-infrared and infrared) can enter the body and brain to enhance mitochondrial function and thereby improve metabolism, eyesight, blood glucose regulation, mood, hormones and more. We also discuss how short-wavelength light from LED bulbs can impair mitochondrial health and why balanced, full-spectrum light is essential for health. Dr. Jeffery shares simple yet powerful ways to use natural and artificial light sources to enhance your metabolic function, eyesight and longevity. Sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Wealthfront*: https://wealthfront.com/huberman Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman Rorra: https://rorra.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00 Glen Jeffery 03:12 Light, Ultraviolet (UV), Visible & Infrared (IR) Light 06:25 Light's Impact on the Body & Light, Sunburn, Cataracts 09:55 UV Light, All-Cause Mortality, Skin Cancer 14:55 Sponsors: Wealthfront & Joovv 17:58 Light Impacts Mitochondria Function & Structure, Long-Wavelength Light (Red/IR), Nano Water 25:00 Long-Wavelength Light Passes Through Clothing & Body; Tissue Scattering 30:08 Long-Wavelength Light & Blood Glucose; Mitochondria 36:19 Red Light, Parkinson's Disease, Cell Death; Eye Rods & Aging; Mitochondria Community 42:46 Red/IR Light, Skull & Brain; Safe Non-Ionizing Radiation 48:22 Sponsors: AG1 & Rorra 51:04 Offsetting Retinal Aging, Improve Vision & Long-Wavelength Light 59:28 Tool: Long-Wavelength Light & Preserve Retinal Mitochondria; Sunlight 1:03:50 Mitochondrial Theory of Aging, Circadian Rhythm & Mitochondria 1:07:57 Tool: Improve Vision with Long-Wavelength Light 1:10:44 Macular Degeneration, Rescuing Vision, Early Intervention 1:13:59 Light Effects at Local vs Distant Tissues, Immune System, Body Communication 1:19:09 Sponsor: Function 1:20:56 Short-Wavelength Light, LED Light, Mitochondria & Serious Health Detriments 1:28:39 Lifespan, LED Lights; Sunlight & Balanced Wavelengths; "Sunlike" Marketing 1:34:45 Fires, Incandescent Lights vs LED Lights, Lasers; Long-Wavelength Devices 1:39:07 Incandescent & Halogen Bulbs, Mitochondria & Built Environments 1:45:19 Windows, Light & Office Work; Screens, Kids & Myopia; Tools: Plants; Lighting 1:55:56 Bring the Outdoors Indoors 2:00:35 Tool: Candlelight; Dim Halogen Lamps 2:05:06 Mitochondrial Diseases, Children & Long-Wavelength Light; Light Bulbs 2:11:53 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter *This experience may not be representative of other Wealthfront clients, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Experiences will vary. The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.  Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The base APY is 3.50% on cash deposits as of November 07, 2025, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. If eligible for the overall boosted rate of 4.15% offered in connection with this promo, your boosted rate is also subject to change if the base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to program banks, where it earns the variable APY. New Cash Account deposits are subject to a 2-4 day holding period before becoming available for transfer. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Let's talk about indoor lighting because I am very concerned about the amount of short wavelength light that people are exposed to nowadays, especially kids.

0:08.0

This is an issue on the same level as asbestos.

0:11.6

This is a public health issue and it's big.

0:15.4

And I think it's one of the reasons why I'm really happy to come here and talk because it's time to talk.

0:21.5

When we use LEDs, the light found in LEDs, when we use them, certainly we use them on the

0:28.6

retinny looking at mice, we can watch the mitochondria gently go downhill. They're far less

0:35.8

responsive. They, their membrane potentials are coming down.

0:40.3

The mitochondria are not breathing very well. Watch that in real time.

0:44.6

Welcome to the Huberman Lab podcast where we discuss science and science-based tools for everyday life.

0:53.3

I'm Andrew Huberman and I'm a professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine.

0:59.0

My guest today is Dr. Glenn Jeffrey, a professor of neuroscience at University College London.

1:05.0

In today's episode, we discuss how you can use light, in particular red, near-infrared, and infrared light to improve your health.

1:12.5

And no, not just by getting sunlight. Although we do talk about sunlight, Dr. Jeffrey's lab has

1:18.0

discovered that certain wavelengths or colors of light can be used to improve your skin,

1:22.6

your eyesight, even your blood sugar regulation, and metabolism. Dr. Jeffrey explains how light

1:27.4

is absorbed by the water in your mitochondria,

1:29.8

the energy-producing organelles within your cells,

1:32.3

to allow them to function better by producing more ATP.

1:35.9

He also explains how long-wave-length light, things like red light,

1:39.1

can be protective against mitochondrial damage caused by excessive exposure

1:42.6

to things like LED bulbs and screens,

1:45.0

which of course we are all exposed to pretty much all day long

...

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