#45: Infrared & Red Light Therapy, Joovv co-founder Melissa Strahan

This is episode #45 and we’re chatting with Melissa Strahan a co-founder of Joovv Red Light Therapy to dive into a very confusing, but totally NOW topic that is infrared saunas and red light therapy.

Joovv is taking the wellness space by storm thanks to famous biohacker Ben Greenfield, and even Dr. Sarah Ballantyne who you hear us quote research from quite regularly on our podcast. Dr Ballantyne endorses Joovv and swears by the positive effects it has had on her fibromyalgia pain.

Joovv is huge with athletes everywhere ranging from the Olympians and NFL, NBA, UFC athletes, and more. And we think the biggest reason Joovv is gaining immense popularity is because it is extremely customizable and modular and affordable. They have tabletop and back-of-the-door models, they’ve got it all. AND, Joovv uses a special LED coating that helps you achieve the best results in a shorter amount of time.

For professional Inquiries contact - Jessica Dogert, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist: jessdogert@gmail.com; or Marisa Moon, Certified Primal Health Coach: marisa@marisamoon.com

Disclaimer: Consult with your doctor, a biological dentist, or functional medicine practitioner before trying any of the remedies or protocols mentioned in this episode. This information and recording is for informational and educational purposes only.

Points of Discussion:
In 2014 Melissa started light treatment at a spa. Engineer husband Justin, made infrared at home.
- Warning “pet shop” red heat lamp bulbs don’t work
Science:
- NASA funded Red light therapy research for astronaut health
- Light therapy is all about the wavelengths, and LED allows that specific wavelength to be achieved
- Red light is in the mid-600 nanometer range
- Near infrared is in mid-800 nanometer range
- Therapeutic wavelengths help mitochondria, ATP cellular energy, and anti-aging mechanisms
- Joovv combines red light and near infrared
Joovv Tips:
- Full body treatment or rotate to expose entire body
- Joovv is more customizable and affordable compared to other brands, and it allows you to work your way up to a full-body treatment center.
Red Light Vs Infrared:
- The red color and lack of heat is anti-aging but doesn’t penetrate the body as deeply
- Near infrared penetrates deeper, helps organs and muscle recovery.
- Not targeted results, the body decides what to work on first (seeking homeostasis)
Story #1: how infrared Joovv lights helped a family member gain peripheral eyesight
What can you expect?
- Benefits are instinctual and feel good
- Journaling to track changes over time
- Relaxation and better sleep, but everyone’s different deepening what their body needs
Why Light, Why Now:
- Most American’s spend 90% of their life indoors
- infrared and red light therapy help to counteract blue light (indoor lighting and electronics), & provide more wavelengths like sunlight. (learn about blue light in our podcast episode #22)
- Red Light/Infrared primes skin to help sunburn prevention and boost vitamin D
- Families like using Joovv for evening lighting at home, circadian rhythm and sleep better.
Kids:
- Considered safe for children, no studies done on that yet. Ask your pediatrician.
- Kids benefit from wearing orange/red/amber glasses (AKA blue-light-blocking glasses) at night when they watch TV or electronics.
Safety & Guidelines:
- Start out slow, like 3 minutes per day, to avoid abrupt detox symptoms.
- 10-minutes per treatment area per day, at a distance of 6 inches or more, try to treat as much of your body as you can
- Can replace pre-workout drinks) and after workouts to regenerate and prevent injuries
Interesting rumor:
- NFL might have considered banning infrared therapy because it gives players such a performance advantage.
Hot Sauna Vs Infrared Light Therapy
- Sauna therapy uses heat, getting a cardiovascular response via heat shock proteins in the body.
- Sauna is completely different therapy from red light therapy (AKA photobiomodulation) where there is no heat.
Story #2: Mother who used Joovv light on her child who has downs syndrome helped him walk after a week.
Story #3: friends who use cold red light laser therapy to heal from arthritis in the knee and neck injury from car accident.
Facts:
- Joovv is FDA approved to be used on humans (others are intended for plants)
- Now considering red and near infrared light therapy to act as an anti-fungal in the gut (may help with candida or SIBO in the gut) in the field of medicine.
Melissa’s results & final tips:
- Melissa’s eczema is gone and never came back, no stress-induced flareups. She thanks Joovv and primal living principles like *grounding*.
- As a mother of 6, light therapy helps her to look young in her late 30’s. She suggests taking photos once a month to track your improvements.

Resources: 
Joovv.com
Check out Joovv’s learning section to continue the education or start a live chat with a representative and ask questions. Also see the hundreds of reviews to learn what others are experiencing.

Take home message:
Seek bulbs with wavelengths in the 600 nm range and 800 nm range; shorter treatment time is ideal; heat is not necessary or better, a smaller device at home is better than nothing; Joovv helps you work your way up to full body over time and offers 60-day money back guarantee.

Jessica's site: https://www.jessicadogert.com
Marisa's site: https://www.marisamoon.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundationofWellnessPodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundationofwellness_podcast

Intro/Exit Music  - "Ukulele Whistle" by Scott Holmes