Cited by 32Pain Mechanisms and TreatmentsLaser Applications in Dentistry and MedicinePain Management and Treatment

Green light exposure elicits anti-inflammation, endogenous opioid release and dampens synaptic potentiation to relieve post-surgical pain.

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Martin, Laurent F., Cheng, Kevin, Washington, Stephanie M., Denton, Millie, Goel, Vasudha, Khandekar, Maithili, Largent-Milnes, Tally M., Patwardhan, Amol +1 more·2023·The Journal of Pain

Abstract

Light therapy improves multiple conditions such as seasonal affective disorders, circadian rhythm dysregulations, and neurodegenerative diseases. However, little is known about its potential benefits in pain management. While current pharmacologic methods are effective in many cases, the associated side effects can limit their use. Non-pharmacological methods would minimize drug dependence, facilitating a reduction of the opioid burden. Green light therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing chronic pain in humans and rodents. However, its underlying mechanisms remain incompletely defined. In this study, we demonstrate that green light exposure reduced postsurgical hypersensitivity in rats. Moreover, this therapy potentiated the antinociceptive effects of morphine and ibuprofen on mechanical allodynia in male rats. Importantly, in female rats, GLED potentiated the antinociceptive effects of morphine but did not affect that of ibuprofen. We showed that green light increases endogenous opioid levels while lessening synaptic plasticity and neuroinflammation. Importantly, this study reveals new insights into how light exposure can affect neuroinflammation and plasticity in both genders. Clinical translation of these results could provide patients with improved pain control and decrease opioid consumption. Given the noninvasive nature of green light, this innovative therapy would be readily implementable in hospitals. PERSPECTIVE: This study provides a potential additional therapy to decrease postsurgical pain. Given the safety, availability, and the efficacy of green light therapy, there is a significant potential for advancing the green light therapy to clinical trials and eventual translation to clinical settings.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jpain.2022.10.011

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  • Green light can reduce neuroinflammation and neuroplasticity in patients.

    “However, Martin research indicates that green light can reduce neuroinflammation and neuroplasticity in patients,[43]”

    From Effectiveness of visible light for seasonal affective disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [43]

    The Abstract reports that green light lessened neuroinflammation and synaptic plasticity, but the study tested rats, not patients. The Results section likewise reports reduced inflammatory markers in the spinal fluid of male rats. The claim extends those findings to patients without evidence from this study. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  1. [71]Malenka RC, Bear MF. LTP and LTD: an embarrassment of riches. Neuron. 44: 5– 21, 2004 15450156

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Authors
Martin, L. F., Cheng, K., Washington, S. M., Denton, M., Goel, V., Khandekar, M., Largent-Milnes, T. M., Patwardhan, A., & Ibrahim, M. M.
Affiliations
  • University of Arizona (US)
  • University of Minnesota (US)
Corresponding author
Ibrahim, Mohab M.
Venue
The Journal of Pain
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2023-03
Volume
24
Issue
3
Pages
509-529
ISSN
1526-5900 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4307112005
Cited by
32
References
105
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 4
FWCI
3.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Pain (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • UA Campus Repository (The University of Arizona) (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (K08 NS104272)
  • University of Arizona
  • National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (R01AT009716)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Laser Applications in Dentistry and Medicine
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine › Pain Management and Treatment
Keywords
low-level laser therapy, postoperative pain, mechanical allodynia, endogenous opioid release, neuroinflammation, synaptic plasticity, morphine potentiation, ibuprofen, sex differences, opioid-sparing analgesia, antinociception
MeSH terms
Neuroinflammatory Diseases, Analgesics, Opioid, Animals, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Female, Humans, Ibuprofen, Male, Morphine, Postoperative Pain, Pain, Postoperative, Opioid Peptides, Rats

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