Unlocking Brain Health with Photobiomodulation:

A Deep Dive with Liam Pingree, CEO of NeuronicBy Lisa Tamati, Science Writer and Host of Pushing the LimitsIn a recent episode of Pushing the Limits, I had the privilege of reconnecting with Liam Pingree, CEO and co-founder of Neuronic, a company at the forefront of photobiomodulation (PBM) technology.

Our conversation explored the transformative potential of PBM, specifically Neuronic’s innovative devices designed to enhance brain health, combat neurodegeneration, and optimize cognitive performance. Pingree shared updates on Neuronic’s latest product, the Neuronic Light, and provided insights into the science behind PBM, its applications, and its role in addressing the global rise in neurodegenerative diseases.

This article, crafted for an educated audience, distills our discussion, weaving in detailed scientific context and practical implications.

The Genesis of Neuronic:

A Vision Born from Personal ExperienceNeuronic’s journey began over five years ago, sparked by Pingree’s encounter with a compelling story.

A Facebook video featuring Max Burr, a Parkinson’s patient, caught his attention. Burr, frustrated by the diminishing efficacy of his medications, stumbled upon a study where mice with Parkinson’s-like symptoms improved after exposure to near-infrared light.

Defying his doctor’s warnings about the lack of human trials, Burr experimented with light therapy and reported significant symptom relief, regaining abilities like playing the piano. Initially skeptical, Pingree dove into the scientific literature on Google Scholar and was astonished to find a wealth of research supporting PBM’s efficacy across various conditions, from Parkinson’s to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Alzheimer’s disease.

This discovery coincided with a personal tragedy: a family member’s battle with cancer led to severe memory loss, leaving her unable to recognize loved ones. This experience, coupled with the burgeoning research on PBM, ignited Pingree’s entrepreneurial spirit.

Partnering with co-founder Marvin Shoner, he founded Neuronic to develop accessible, affordable PBM devices for brain health. Their flagship product, the Neuradiant 1070, and its successor, the Neuronic Light, aim to democratize access to this cutting-edge therapy, addressing the urgent need for non-invasive solutions to neurodegenerative diseases.

The Science of Photobiomodulation: How Light Heals the BrainPhotobiomodulation, often referred to as red light therapy or low-level laser therapy, involves the application of specific wavelengths of light—typically in the red (600–700 nm) and near-infrared (700–1100 nm) ranges—to stimulate cellular function.

Unlike pharmaceutical interventions, PBM is non-invasive, with minimal side effects, making it an attractive option for brain health.

At the cellular level, PBM targets the mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells, to enhance energy production.

Near-infrared light, particularly at 1064–1070 nm, penetrates the skull and interacts with cytochrome c oxidase, a key enzyme in the mitochondrial electron transport chain.

This interaction boosts adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, the cell’s primary energy currency, by facilitating electron transfer. Additionally, PBM reduces oxidative stress and inflammation by modulating reactive oxygen species and pro-inflammatory cytokines, addressing core pathological mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases.

Pingree explained that 50% of sunlight comprises near-infrared light, which historically provided humans with natural PBM exposure, especially at sunrise and sunset when atmospheric penetration is optimal. Modern lifestyles, however, limit outdoor time, leading to a “light deficiency” that may exacerbate conditions like seasonal affective disorder and chronic inflammation. Neuronic’s devices mimic this natural light, delivering concentrated doses directly to the brain.

The 1064–1070 nm wavelength used in Neuronic’s devices is particularly effective due to its deep tissue penetration.

Research, such as a study by Hanley Lou and T.L. (referenced by Pingree), demonstrates that 1070 nm light not only reaches deeper brain structures but also sustains therapeutic effects longer than shorter wavelengths like 810 nm.

This penetration is enhanced by the brain’s water content, which acts as a “magnifying glass,” amplifying light delivery to neural tissues, as noted by Professor Paul Chazot.PBM also influences the glymphatic system, the brain’s waste-clearance mechanism, which operates primarily during sleep.

Recent studies suggest that near-infrared light widens glymphatic vessels, accelerating the removal of toxins and debris, including amyloid-beta plaques associated with Alzheimer’s.

This finding is particularly exciting for conditions like hydrocephalus, where impaired glymphatic drainage contributes to cognitive and motor deficits.Neuronic’s Devices: Engineering Brain HealthNeuronic’s mission is to make PBM accessible, and their two primary devices—the Neuradiant 1070 and the newly launched Neuronic Light—reflect this commitment.Neuradiant 1070: Precision and PowerPriced at $3,400, the Neuradiant 1070 is designed for clinicians and advanced home users.

It features 256 LEDs emitting 1070 nm light and a control box allowing targeted activation of specific brain regions (e.g., frontal, occipital, left, or right).

This sectional control is ideal for tailored therapies, such as targeting areas identified through quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) or neurofeedback. The device includes a 30-minute consultation, making it a favorite among practitioners treating conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and post-concussion syndrome.Neuronic Light: Accessibility and InnovationLaunched in March 2025, the Neuronic Light is a game-changer at $1,795, nearly half the price of its predecessor.

This device, described as “space-age” in appearance, features 300 LEDs, including nine “Ultra LEDs” with 20 times the power of standard LEDs, delivering two to three times the potency of the Neuradiant 1070. Its design prioritizes portability and ease of use, with a USB-C-powered battery pack, adjustable head frame, and foam pads for comfort.

Users can wear it during daily activities, from chores to yoga, without cumbersome wires or a bulky control box.

The Neuronic Light covers the entire brain, including the cerebellum, a critical region for motor coordination and balance, which is often affected in neurodegenerative diseases. It integrates with a smartphone app that logs sessions, tracks progress, and allows customization of session duration, intensity, and pulse rate.

Preset protocols—

Focus, Balance, Peace, and Glow—cater to specific goals, such as enhancing concentration or promoting relaxation, with sessions lasting 3–10 minutes.

The app also includes a PROMIS-10 questionnaire, a standardized tool to assess users’ health outcomes weekly. This data collection enables Neuronic to gather real-world evidence, informing future product development and clinical research.

The device’s sustainable packaging, made from recycled cardboard and minimal plastic, reflects Neuronic’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

Pulsing and Brain Entrainment: Fine-Tuning TherapyA key feature of Neuronic’s devices is their ability to pulse light at specific frequencies, leveraging brain entrainment to modulate neural activity.

Pulse rates, measured in Hertz (Hz), align with brainwave frequencies associated with different mental states:

• 4–10 Hz (Theta/Alpha): Promotes relaxation and sleep, ideal for reducing stress or enhancing glymphatic clearance before bed.

• 40 Hz (Gamma): Linked to cognitive focus and memory consolidation, with emerging research suggesting benefits for Alzheimer’s by disrupting amyloid-beta aggregation.

Pingree noted that pulsing mimics external stimuli like binaural beats, subtly influencing brain activity without overriding it.

For example, a 40 Hz pulse may enhance attention in healthy individuals or support cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients, while a 10 Hz pulse fosters a calm, restorative state.

Clinicians using qEEG can further customize pulse rates to target specific neural deficits, creating personalized protocols via the Neuronic Light’s app.Applications and Real-World ImpactPBM’s versatility makes it a powerful tool for both clinical and preventive applications. Neuronic’s devices are used for:

• Neurodegenerative Diseases: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis, where PBM reduces inflammation, boosts ATP production, and enhances glymphatic clearance.

• Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Concussion Syndrome: By improving cerebral blood flow and reducing neuroinflammation, PBM accelerates recovery.

• Cognitive Optimization: Healthy individuals use PBM to enhance focus, memory, and mental clarity, particularly at 40 Hz.

• Post-Surgical Cognitive Decline: Pingree shared a testimonial about an 89-year-old man who, after back surgery, experienced severe cognitive impairment. After three months of using the Neuradiant 1070, he regained independence, managing his own treatment and engaging socially.

My personal experience with PBM mirrors these outcomes.

My mother, who has endured multiple brain injuries from aneurysms, strokes, brain cancer, and sepsis, has shown remarkable resilience using a combination of PBM, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, plasmalogens, and methylene blue.

Despite recent sepsis episodes, her cognitive function remained intact, a testament to the brain’s plasticity when supported by integrative therapies.

Synergies with Other TherapiesPBM’s strength lies in its compatibility with other interventions. I discussed stacking PBM with:

• Methylene Blue: Like PBM, it enhances ATP production by bypassing dysfunctional mitochondrial complexes, offering antibacterial and neuroprotective benefits. It’s particularly effective for urinary tract infections in the elderly.

• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Increases oxygen delivery to hypoxic brain regions, complementing PBM’s energy boost.

• Plasmalogens and Peptides: Support neuronal repair and myelination, enhancing PBM’s regenerative effects.

These synergies underscore PBM’s role as a cornerstone of integrative brain health protocols, amplifying outcomes without adverse interactions.

Challenges and Future Directions Despite its promise,

PBM faces challenges. Measuring light output accurately remains difficult, as Pingree noted during a workshop where five devices yielded inconsistent readings. Standardizing dosimetry—wavelength, intensity, pulse rate, and duration—is critical for optimizing outcomes.

Additionally, while over 10,000 PBM studies exist, translating this research into clinical practice lags, leaving patients and families unaware of its potential.Neuronic is addressing these gaps through ongoing clinical trials, with results expected later in 2025, and partnerships with clinics to generate robust data.

The company’s app-based data collection will further refine protocols, tailoring treatments to individual needs.

Pingree envisions further price reductions and new product iterations, potentially targeting specific brain regions or integrating advanced neurofeedback.A Call to ActionThe global surge in neurodegenerative diseases—Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia—demands innovative solutions. With billions spent on ineffective pharmaceuticals, PBM offers a cost-effective, non-invasive alternative.

At $1,795 (with a $100 discount using code Tamati100), the Neuronic Light is an investment in brain health, far less than the $8,000 monthly cost of dementia care in New Zealand.

For those with loved ones facing cognitive decline, or individuals seeking to optimize their mental performance, PBM is a no-brainer.

As Pingree’s journey and my own experience with my mother illustrate (more on her incredible progress later in another post), this technology can restore quality of life, offering hope where conventional medicine often falls short.

Visit Neuronic’s website or my platform and use code "Tamati100" to get $100 USD off the device.

neuronic website 

Watch the video interview here