Ever walk into a room and forget why you’re there? Or feel like your brain is in a constant haze, no matter how much coffee you drink? You’re not alone.
Many of our clients come to us feeling mentally drained, forgetful, or overwhelmed by stress. They say things like, “I just want to feel sharp again,” or “My brain feels tired all the time.” Sound familiar?
If so, it might be time to give your brain the support it needs—from the inside out. At Body Lab Studio, we’ve seen firsthand how infrared heat therapy, paired with targeted red light wavelengths, can help you feel clearer, calmer, and more cognitively confident.
Let’s break it down.
What Is Brain Fog—And Why Does It Happen?
Brain fog isn’t a medical diagnosis, but it’s very real. It’s that sluggish, scattered, forgetful feeling that makes everyday tasks feel harder than they should be. And while it can be caused by lack of sleep, stress, or hormone shifts, aging is one of the biggest culprits.
As we age, blood flow to the brain can slow down. Oxidative stress increases. The neurons responsible for memory and clarity begin to wear down. That’s where infrared heat therapy comes in.
How Infrared Heat Therapy Helps Your Brain
Infrared therapy isn’t just about physical recovery—it’s a powerful tool for mental rejuvenation. When your body is exposed to infrared heat, your core temperature rises gently. This increase stimulates blood circulation throughout the body, including to the brain, helping deliver more oxygen and vital nutrients to brain cells. With better circulation comes improved cognitive function and sharper mental clarity.
This process also triggers the production of heat shock proteins—molecules that assist in repairing damaged cells, including neurons. These proteins offer protection against oxidative stress, which plays a key role in the development of age-related cognitive decline. Infrared therapy, in essence, helps your brain better protect and heal itself.
Another important benefit? Infrared therapy activates your parasympathetic nervous system, the part of your body responsible for rest and relaxation. This shift helps reduce stress, stabilize mood, and create the ideal environment for deep, restorative sleep—something your brain depends on to function at its best.
What About Red Light Therapy?
While infrared light works deep within the body, we also utilize red light therapy to support overall wellness and brain health. Red light operates at a shallower level, targeting the skin and nearby tissues. But don’t let its surface-level penetration fool you—it plays an essential role in supporting mitochondrial health, reducing inflammation, and potentially even slowing cognitive decline.
In fact, red and near-infrared light have been studied for their effects on conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Researchers have found that these wavelengths may protect brain tissue, preserve memory, and support healthier neural function over time. The combination of red and infrared therapy creates a powerful, holistic approach to mental clarity and longevity.
Long-Term Brain Benefits
Used consistently, this therapy offers more than just temporary relief. Clients often report feeling more alert, focused, and emotionally balanced after regular sessions. Over time, infrared and red light therapy may help improve memory, reduce mental fatigue, and support long-term brain health by nurturing the systems that protect and fuel your mind.
Think of it as a reset for your nervous system—a gentle, natural way to help your brain function better, think faster, and feel calmer. And unlike stimulants or supplements, the effects build over time, providing real, lasting benefits you can feel.
What to Expect in a Session
A typical session at Body Lab Studio is simple and serene. You’ll recline inside our wellness pod, surrounded by gentle warmth and calming light. There’s no effort required on your part—just relaxation. The experience is designed to feel like a full-body exhale. You’re resting, but your body is working behind the scenes to balance, repair, and restore.
Most clients describe the sensation as deeply relaxing, like hitting the reset button after a long day—or week. Whether you’re winding down from stress, lifting the fog after a busy week, or investing in your long-term brain health, infrared therapy makes it feel effortless.
Ready to Clear the Fog?
If you’ve been feeling off your game, forgetful, or just not like yourself, you don’t have to power through it. Your brain deserves support, and we’re here to help. Infrared heat therapy offers a safe, science-backed way to refresh your mind and reclaim your clarity. Let’s help you feel sharper, calmer, and more like you again. Book your session today!
REFERENCE
- Infrared Therapy Enhances Blood Flow and Cognitive Function
Improved circulation enhances oxygen and nutrient delivery to the brain, which supports cognitive clarity.
Beever, R. (2009). Far-infrared saunas for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors. Canadian Family Physician, 55(7), 691–696.
Study size: 20 subjects | Duration: 2 weeks of FIR sauna sessions
Outcome: FIR therapy improved blood pressure and vascular endothelial function, suggesting systemic circulation benefits which may extend to brain health.
https://www.cfp.ca/content/55/7/691 - Infrared Induces Heat Shock Proteins and Protects Neurons
Heat shock proteins (HSPs) repair damaged cells and protect neurons from oxidative stress.
Li, Z., & Srivastava, P. (2004). Heat shock proteins and skin. Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings, 9(3), 241–247.
Summary: HSPs play a key role in cellular repair and stress resistance. Infrared-induced heat stimulates HSP expression, offering neuroprotective effects. - Red and Near-Infrared Light Support Brain Health and May Slow Neurodegeneration
Red/NIR light promotes mitochondrial activity, reduces inflammation, and supports cognitive longevity.
Johnstone, D. M., Moro, C., Stone, J., et al. (2016). Turning on lights to stop neurodegeneration: The potential of near-infrared light therapy in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 9, 500.
Outcome: NIR light therapy reduced neuronal damage and enhanced motor/cognitive function in models of neurodegenerative disease.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2015.00500
Hamblin, M. R. (2023). Therapeutic potential of near-infrared light in Alzheimer’s disease: A review. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 89(2), 451–463.
Outcome: NIR light reduced amyloid plaque accumulation and boosted mitochondrial function in Alzheimer’s models.
Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease - Red Light Enhances Mitochondrial Function and Reduces Brain Inflammation
Mitochondrial health is essential for brain energy, memory, and clarity.
Quirk, B. J., et al. (2012). Mitochondria and the mechanisms of photobiomodulation. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 30(5), 237–245.
Summary: Red and NIR light stimulate cytochrome c oxidase, leading to improved ATP production and cellular repair mechanisms in neural tissues.
Chung, H., et al. (2012). The role of nitric oxide in photobiomodulation. Blood, 119(5), 1128–1135.
Outcome: Infrared light enhances blood flow and reduces inflammation through nitric oxide release, supporting cognitive and vascular health. - Infrared Activates the Parasympathetic Nervous System and Enhances Sleep
A relaxed nervous system supports clearer thinking, memory consolidation, and emotional balance.
Matsushita, K., et al. (2008). Clinical effects of far-infrared therapy in patients with chronic pain. Internal Medicine, 47(16), 1473–1476.
Outcome: FIR sauna therapy improved pain and fatigue scores, and induced deep relaxation by shifting the autonomic nervous system toward parasympathetic dominance.
