Migraines are more than severe headaches. They are neurological episodes that can cause throbbing or pulsating head pain along with nausea, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound, and other symptoms.
Because migraines can interfere with work, sleep, exercise, and everyday activities, many people look for non-drug approaches that may complement their existing migraine management routine. Red light therapy has become one of the approaches attracting attention.
But does red light therapy actually help with migraines?
The answer is more nuanced than some online articles suggest. Photobiomodulation, the scientific term commonly used for therapeutic red and near-infrared light, has been studied for pain and other conditions. However, research specifically investigating photobiomodulation for migraine is still limited.
A 2022 systematic review of randomized clinical trials on photobiomodulation for primary headache identified only four randomized clinical trials and concluded that the available evidence was insufficient to support photobiomodulation as an established treatment for primary headache.
So while red and near-infrared light remain an interesting area of research, they should not currently be presented as a proven migraine treatment.
What Is a Migraine?
A migraine is a neurological condition that can cause moderate to severe headache pain and a range of other symptoms.
A migraine attack may involve:
- Throbbing or pulsating head pain
- Pain that is stronger on one side of the head
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Visual disturbances known as aura
- Dizziness or difficulty concentrating
Migraine symptoms vary between individuals, and potential triggers can include disrupted sleep, stress, hormonal changes, certain foods, and sensory stimuli.
Light is particularly relevant to migraine because photophobia, or increased sensitivity to light, is common during migraine attacks.
A 2023 randomized double-blind study published in the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience notes that approximately 80% of people with migraine report light sensitivity during attacks. The study also investigated how different wavelengths interact with light-sensitive retinal cells and found that green light was generally more comfortable than wavelengths that strongly stimulate intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells.
This is important when discussing red light therapy because not all forms of light exposure have the same effect.
What Is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy is a form of photobiomodulation that uses specific wavelengths of non-ionizing light to interact with biological tissues.
Consumer devices commonly use visible red light in the 600–700 nm range and may also include near-infrared wavelengths around 800–900 nm.
Photobiomodulation has been investigated for a variety of applications because researchers believe certain wavelengths may influence cellular processes related to energy production, oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling, and tissue responses.
One proposed mechanism involves mitochondria, which produce much of the energy used by cells. Researchers have investigated whether red and near-infrared light can influence mitochondrial activity and downstream cellular signaling.
These mechanisms provide a reason to study photobiomodulation for pain and neurological conditions. However, a plausible biological mechanism does not automatically mean that a treatment has been clinically proven to prevent or treat migraine.
Can Red Light Therapy Help With Migraines?
Research specifically examining photobiomodulation for migraine and other primary headaches is still relatively small.
The previously mentioned 2022 systematic review of randomized clinical trials included four randomized trials. The researchers found that some studies reported improvements in pain or other headache-related outcomes, but most of the included studies had methodological limitations and small sample sizes.
The review ultimately rated the certainty of evidence as very low and concluded that the evidence was insufficient to support photobiomodulation as a treatment for primary headache.
That does not mean researchers have ruled out the possibility that photobiomodulation could be useful. It means that there are not yet enough high-quality clinical trials to establish how effective it is, which patients may benefit, or what treatment parameters would be appropriate.
More recent research continues to investigate light-based approaches for migraine. A 2024 review on light therapy in chronic migraine described light therapy, particularly green light therapy, as an emerging non-pharmacological approach while also noting that many existing studies have relatively small sample sizes and that larger clinical trials are needed.
Red Light and Green Light Are Not the Same
One of the most important distinctions to understand is that red light therapy should not be treated as interchangeable with green light therapy.
Green light has received particular attention in migraine research because people with migraine can be highly sensitive to certain wavelengths.
The 2023 randomized double-blind migraine study investigated optical filters designed to reduce stimulation of specific light-sensitive retinal cells. The researchers reported that green light was generally the most comfortable wavelength for participants, while certain other wavelengths could increase light sensitivity.
This is different from localized photobiomodulation using red or near-infrared light.
In other words, looking at a colored light source and applying red or near-infrared light to a particular area of the body are not necessarily the same intervention.
The wavelength, intensity, treatment location, exposure time, and whether the light reaches the eyes can all influence the response.
How Might Photobiomodulation Affect Pain?
Researchers have proposed several mechanisms through which photobiomodulation could influence pain.
One area of interest is mitochondrial activity. Red and near-infrared wavelengths may interact with cellular components involved in energy production and signaling. Researchers have also investigated possible effects on oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling, circulation, and nervous-system activity.
A systematic review of randomized clinical trials on photobiomodulation for primary headache discusses several proposed biological mechanisms, including metabolic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant responses.
However, the same review emphasizes that the clinical evidence for primary headache remains uncertain.
This distinction is important: researchers may have reasonable hypotheses about how photobiomodulation could influence pain without having enough clinical evidence to determine whether a consumer red light therapy device can reliably reduce migraine frequency or severity.
What About Near-Infrared Light?
Near-infrared light is often included in photobiomodulation devices because longer wavelengths can interact with tissue differently from visible red light.
Researchers have also investigated transcranial photobiomodulation, in which light is applied to the head with the goal of delivering light through the scalp and skull toward underlying tissue.
This research is still developing, and transcranial photobiomodulation should not be confused with using a general-purpose red light therapy panel.
Different devices can have very different wavelengths, irradiance, treatment areas, distances, and treatment durations. These differences make it difficult to take the results of one clinical study and apply them directly to every consumer red light device.
Can You Use Red Light Therapy During a Migraine?
This is an area where individual response matters.
If light is one of your migraine triggers, a bright light source positioned close to your eyes or face may be uncomfortable or could potentially aggravate symptoms.
That does not necessarily mean that all forms of photobiomodulation will have the same effect. It simply means that people experiencing photophobia should be cautious about exposing themselves to bright light during an attack.
If you choose to experiment with red light therapy as part of a wellness routine, follow the manufacturer's recommended distance and treatment duration. Avoid looking directly into high-intensity LEDs, and use eye protection if it is recommended for your device.
Starting with a shorter session can also help you determine how your body responds.
If the light appears to make your headache or other migraine symptoms worse, stop the session rather than increasing exposure.
What About Red Light Therapy for Neck and Shoulder Discomfort?
Some people experience neck or shoulder discomfort around migraine episodes. This is one reason localized photobiomodulation may be of interest as a complementary wellness approach.
However, evidence that photobiomodulation may affect muscle or localized pain should not be interpreted as proof that treating the neck or shoulders will prevent migraines.
The distinction is important.
Red light therapy may be used as part of a general wellness or recovery routine, while migraine itself is a neurological condition that may require medical evaluation and established treatment.
How to Use Red Light Therapy More Carefully
There is currently no universally established red light therapy protocol for migraine.
The available studies use different wavelengths, treatment locations, energy levels, treatment durations, and treatment schedules. The 2022 systematic review of photobiomodulation for primary headache specifically noted substantial variation in treatment parameters between studies.
For that reason, it is better to follow the instructions for your particular device rather than copying the treatment schedule from an unrelated study.
If you are trying red light therapy as a complementary wellness approach, keep track of how you respond.
A simple migraine diary can include:
- Migraine days
- Approximate headache severity
- Duration of symptoms
- Sleep quality
- Potential triggers
- Red light therapy sessions
- Any noticeable changes after treatment
Tracking these factors over several weeks can make it easier to identify whether a new routine appears to be helping, having no noticeable effect, or aggravating symptoms.
Choosing a Red Light Therapy Panel
If your goal is general photobiomodulation rather than a device specifically designed for migraine treatment, a red light therapy panel can provide a larger treatment area than a small handheld device.
Comfytemp's Red Light Therapy collection includes at-home photobiomodulation products using red and near-infrared wavelengths.
For people who experience light sensitivity, device control can be particularly important. Being able to adjust your distance from the panel and control your exposure time allows you to follow the manufacturer's instructions and adjust your routine based on your individual tolerance.
The most powerful device is not necessarily the most appropriate choice for someone who is sensitive to light.
Is Red Light Therapy Safe for People With Migraines?
Red light therapy is generally considered non-invasive, but individual tolerance can vary.
People with migraines may be particularly sensitive to bright light. Directly looking into bright LEDs may cause eye discomfort and may aggravate symptoms in some people.
If you use a red light therapy device:
- Do not stare directly into high-intensity LEDs.
- Follow the manufacturer's eye-protection recommendations.
- Use the recommended distance and treatment duration.
- Start conservatively if you are new to light therapy.
- Stop the session if you experience increased headache, eye discomfort, dizziness, or other unusual symptoms.
If you experience frequent or severe migraines, unexplained neurological symptoms, or significant changes in your usual migraine pattern, consult a healthcare professional.
Red light therapy should not be used as a replacement for prescribed migraine treatment without discussing the change with your healthcare provider.
Red Light Therapy for Migraines: What We Know and What We Don't
The current research supports a cautious but interesting view of photobiomodulation.
We know that red and near-infrared photobiomodulation is being investigated for pain and neurological applications. Researchers have also proposed several biological mechanisms through which specific wavelengths of light may influence cellular activity.
We also have clinical research investigating photobiomodulation and migraine-related conditions.
What we do not yet have is strong evidence showing that consumer red light therapy panels can reliably prevent or treat migraines.
The 2022 systematic review of randomized clinical trials identified only four eligible trials and concluded that the available evidence was insufficient to support photobiomodulation as an established treatment for primary headache.
At the same time, newer research continues to investigate light-based approaches. The 2024 review of light therapy in chronic migraine describes light therapy as an emerging area of non-pharmacological migraine research while highlighting the need for larger and better-designed studies.
For now, red light therapy is better viewed as a complementary wellness approach rather than a proven migraine treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Does red light therapy get rid of migraines?
There is currently not enough high-quality evidence to say that red light therapy can reliably stop or cure migraines. Photobiomodulation is being investigated as a potential complementary approach, but more clinical research is needed.
Q2: Can red light trigger a migraine?
Bright light can aggravate migraine symptoms in people who experience photophobia. Research has shown that different wavelengths can produce different responses, so red light should not automatically be assumed to be comfortable for everyone.
Q3: Is red light or green light better for migraines?
Red and green light should not be treated as interchangeable. Green light has received specific attention in migraine research because it may be more comfortable for people with photophobia. Red and near-infrared light are generally studied in the context of photobiomodulation and have a different research base.
Q4: Can I use a red light therapy panel on my head?
It depends on the specific device and its intended use. Consumer panels should be used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Avoid direct exposure to the eyes, particularly if you are sensitive to light.
Q5: How long should I use red light therapy for migraines?
There is no scientifically established universal treatment schedule for using a consumer red light therapy panel specifically for migraines. Published studies use different wavelengths, doses, treatment locations, and schedules. Follow the instructions provided with your specific device.
Q6: Can red light therapy replace migraine medication?
No. There is not enough evidence to use consumer red light therapy as a replacement for established migraine treatment. If you currently use medication or another migraine-management strategy, speak with your healthcare provider before making changes.
The Bottom Line
Red light therapy and photobiomodulation are promising areas of research, but the evidence specifically related to migraines is still developing.
Light can interact with pain and neurological processes in complex ways, and the effects may depend on wavelength, intensity, exposure route, treatment location, and individual sensitivity.
Current research does not establish consumer red light therapy as a proven treatment for migraines. However, photobiomodulation remains an area of ongoing research, and future clinical trials may help clarify whether particular wavelengths, treatment protocols, or delivery methods have a meaningful role in migraine management.
If you choose to try red light therapy as a complementary wellness practice, start conservatively, follow your device instructions, avoid direct eye exposure, and pay attention to how your symptoms respond.
