The US military has been pouring a lot of money into PTSD research, and especially non-chemical treatments. The official estimates, which are likely downsized due to political concerns, are that about 25% - 30% of combat veterans suffer from some stage of PTSD. The prescribed SSRI drugs are (obviously) woefully ineffective and a significant percentage of those veterans end up committing suicide as a result of the trauma (and probably due to the SSRI exposure as well).
This study shows that PTSD, like all other diseases, is energetic in origin and can be treated with red light exposure of the forehead. This specific study used LLLT but I have seen plenty of study showing regular red light from a bulb is just as effective. The main mechanisms of action for the beneficial effects of red light therapy is the increased levels and function of the mitochondrial enzyme cytochrome C oxidase, and the increased oxygenation of the hemoglobin in a person's blood caused by said red light. This immediately suggests methylene blue and T3 as alternative therapies to red light, as both have the same effects on cytochrome C and hemoglobin oxygenation, with methylene blue probably being more effective on the latter.
Prefrontal responses to Stroop tasks in subjects with post-traumatic stress disorder assessed by functional near infrared spectroscopy : Scientific Reports
Scientists could one day use near-infrared light to treat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder | PsyPost
"...After years of studying the effects of near-infrared light on veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injuries, a team led by a University of Texas at Arlington bioengineer has published groundbreaking research in Nature’s Scientific Reports that could result in an effective, long-term treatment for brain disorders."
"...With the UT System’s support, Liu’s interdisciplinary collaborative team has not only investigated the brain imaging capability of light but also revealed the therapeutic rationale for potentially improving cognitive functions of patients with PTSD. The first paper resulting from the seed funding is published online and titled, “Interplay between up-regulation of cytochrome-c-oxidase and hemoglobin oxygenation induced by near-infrared laser.”
"...As in the first study, the team used a human forearm as a biological model instead of the human brain to avoid confounding factors due to such anatomical structures as the scalp and skull. The paper outlines their discovery that shining near-infrared light on the subject’s forearm increases production of cytochrome-c-oxydase, a protein inside the neurons that stimulates blood flow. This discovery shows great potential that NIR or infrared light also will work within the brain."
"...She has studied PTSD extensively with Smith-Osborne and Tian, and they have applied a portable brain-mapping device that allows them to “see” where memory fails student veterans with PTSD. That research led the team to connect with Gonzalez-Limam and further discovered that shining low-level light on the brain by placing the light source on the forehead can stimulate and energize neurons to function more effectively. When cells are stimulated with light, they remain stimulated for a lengthy period of time even after the light is removed. The approach differs from other therapies that use magnets or electric shocks and has the potential to yield effective, longer-lasting treatments."
This study shows that PTSD, like all other diseases, is energetic in origin and can be treated with red light exposure of the forehead. This specific study used LLLT but I have seen plenty of study showing regular red light from a bulb is just as effective. The main mechanisms of action for the beneficial effects of red light therapy is the increased levels and function of the mitochondrial enzyme cytochrome C oxidase, and the increased oxygenation of the hemoglobin in a person's blood caused by said red light. This immediately suggests methylene blue and T3 as alternative therapies to red light, as both have the same effects on cytochrome C and hemoglobin oxygenation, with methylene blue probably being more effective on the latter.
Prefrontal responses to Stroop tasks in subjects with post-traumatic stress disorder assessed by functional near infrared spectroscopy : Scientific Reports
Scientists could one day use near-infrared light to treat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder | PsyPost
"...After years of studying the effects of near-infrared light on veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injuries, a team led by a University of Texas at Arlington bioengineer has published groundbreaking research in Nature’s Scientific Reports that could result in an effective, long-term treatment for brain disorders."
"...With the UT System’s support, Liu’s interdisciplinary collaborative team has not only investigated the brain imaging capability of light but also revealed the therapeutic rationale for potentially improving cognitive functions of patients with PTSD. The first paper resulting from the seed funding is published online and titled, “Interplay between up-regulation of cytochrome-c-oxidase and hemoglobin oxygenation induced by near-infrared laser.”
"...As in the first study, the team used a human forearm as a biological model instead of the human brain to avoid confounding factors due to such anatomical structures as the scalp and skull. The paper outlines their discovery that shining near-infrared light on the subject’s forearm increases production of cytochrome-c-oxydase, a protein inside the neurons that stimulates blood flow. This discovery shows great potential that NIR or infrared light also will work within the brain."
"...She has studied PTSD extensively with Smith-Osborne and Tian, and they have applied a portable brain-mapping device that allows them to “see” where memory fails student veterans with PTSD. That research led the team to connect with Gonzalez-Limam and further discovered that shining low-level light on the brain by placing the light source on the forehead can stimulate and energize neurons to function more effectively. When cells are stimulated with light, they remain stimulated for a lengthy period of time even after the light is removed. The approach differs from other therapies that use magnets or electric shocks and has the potential to yield effective, longer-lasting treatments."