Dr. Glen Jeffery on Huberman Lab: Why LEDs harm mitochondria

Red and near-infrared wavelengths restore ATP in aging mitochondria; brief morning exposure blunts sugar spikes and slows vision decline with age.

Andrew HubermanhostDr. Glen Jefferyguest

Dec 1, 20252h 14mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: December 1, 2025
Duration: 2h 14m
Channel: Huberman Lab
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Dr. Glen Jeffery, PhD, is a professor of neuroscience at University College London and a leading expert on how different colors (wavelengths) of light impact cellular, organ and overall health. He explains that long-wavelength light (red, near-infrared and infrared) can enter the body and brain to enhance mitochondrial function and thereby improve metabolism, eyesight, blood glucose regulation, mood, hormones and more. We also discuss how short-wavelength light from LED bulbs can impair mitochondrial health and why balanced, full-spectrum light is essential for health. Dr. Jeffery shares simple yet powerful ways to use natural and artificial light sources to enhance your metabolic function, eyesight and longevity. Show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/gwX6N6d *Thank you to our sponsors* AG1: ⁠https://drinkag1.com/huberman Wealthfront*: ⁠https://wealthfront.com/huberman Joovv: ⁠https://joovv.com/huberman Rorra: ⁠https://rorra.com/huberman Function: ⁠https://functionhealth.com/huberman *Dr. Glen Jeffery* Academic profile: https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/7465 University College London Research Domains: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/research/domains/food-metabolism-society/experts/glen-jeffery Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=UYlObKkAAAAJ&hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glen-jeffery-441a2b1b *Timestamps* 00:00:00 Glen Jeffery 00:03:12 Light, Ultraviolet (UV), Visible & Infrared (IR) Light 00:06:25 Light's Impact on the Body & Light, Sunburn, Cataracts 00:09:55 UV Light, All-Cause Mortality, Skin Cancer 00:14:55 Sponsors: Wealthfront & Joovv 00:17:58 Light Impacts Mitochondria Function & Structure, Long-Wavelength Light (Red/IR), Nano Water 00:25:00 Long-Wavelength Light Passes Through Clothing & Body; Tissue Scattering 00:30:08 Long-Wavelength Light & Blood Glucose; Mitochondria 00:36:19 Red Light, Parkinson's Disease, Cell Death; Eye Rods & Aging; Mitochondria Community 00:42:46 Red/IR Light, Skull & Brain; Safe Non-Ionizing Radiation 00:48:22 Sponsors: AG1 & Rorra 00:51:04 Offsetting Retinal Aging, Improve Vision & Long-Wavelength Light 00:59:28 Tool: Long-Wavelength Light & Preserve Retinal Mitochondria; Sunlight 01:03:50 Mitochondrial Theory of Aging, Circadian Rhythm & Mitochondria 01:07:57 Tool: Improve Vision with Long-Wavelength Light 01:10:44 Macular Degeneration, Rescuing Vision, Early Intervention 01:13:59 Light Effects at Local vs Distant Tissues, Immune System, Body Communication 01:19:09 Sponsor: Function 01:20:56 Short-Wavelength Light, LED Light, Mitochondria & Serious Health Detriments 01:28:39 Lifespan, LED Lights; Sunlight & Balanced Wavelengths; "Sunlike" Marketing 01:34:45 Fires, Incandescent Lights vs LED Lights, Lasers; Long-Wavelength Devices 01:39:07 Incandescent & Halogen Bulbs, Mitochondria & Built Environments 01:45:19 Windows, Light & Office Work; Screens, Kids & Myopia; Tools: Plants; Lighting 01:55:56 Bring the Outdoors Indoors 02:00:35 Tool: Candlelight; Dim Halogen Lamps 02:05:06 Mitochondrial Diseases, Children & Long-Wavelength Light; Light Bulbs 02:11:53 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter _*This experience may not be representative of other Wealthfront clients, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Experiences will vary. Andrew Huberman receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage for paid testimonials in his podcast, creating a conflict of interest. The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The base APY is 3.50% on cash deposits as of November 07, 2025, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. If eligible for the overall boosted rate of 4.15% offered in connection with this promo, your boosted rate is also subject to change if the base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to program banks, where it earns the variable APY. Same-day withdrawal or instant payment transfers may be limited by destination institutions, daily transaction caps, and by participating entities such as Wells Fargo, the RTP® Network, and FedNow® Service. New Cash Account deposits are subject to a 2-4 day holding period before becoming available for transfer. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value._ #HubermanLab #Science #Health Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

SPEAKERS

Andrew Huberman
host
Dr. Glen Jeffery
guest

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Huberman Lab, featuring Andrew Huberman and Dr. Glen Jeffery, Dr. Glen Jeffery on Huberman Lab: Why LEDs harm mitochondria explores red Light, Sick Mitochondria: Fixing Modern Lighting To Save Health Andrew Huberman and neuroscientist Dr. Glen Jeffery explain how long‑wavelength light (red, near‑infrared, infrared) directly improves mitochondrial function across the body, enhancing ATP production, vision, metabolism, and even systemic disease states. They contrast our evolutionary history under full‑spectrum sunlight and fire with today’s LED‑dominant indoor lighting, which is heavily short‑wavelength shifted and largely devoid of beneficial long wavelengths. Animal and human data show that blue‑weighted LEDs impair mitochondria, raise blood glucose, drive weight gain and fatty liver, and likely contribute to broader health decline, while brief red/near‑IR exposures can acutely and lastingly improve vision and blunt glucose spikes. They argue that re‑engineering indoor light—via sunlight, halogen/incandescent sources, and inexpensive changes in schools, hospitals, and homes—is a major, underappreciated public‑health opportunity, especially for children and the elderly.

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