Claims surrounding so-called "Med Beds" remain highly speculative, but red light and near-infrared therapy are increasingly being studied for their effects on cellular function, tissue repair and inflammation.
The discussion examines where established research ends, where emerging science begins, and why interest in photobiomodulation continues to grow among researchers, clinicians and patients alike
INR Report: Based on reporting from the Redacted podcast HERE.
From "Med Beds" to modern science
The interview opens with discussion of an AI-generated video briefly shared by US President Donald Trump depicting futuristic "Med Beds" — devices often described online as capable of rapidly regenerating damaged tissue and reversing disease.
Although the video was later deleted, host Clayton Morris asks why such technology continues to capture public attention.
The conversation quickly shifts away from speculative "Med Beds" toward a technology that already exists today: red light therapy, also known scientifically as photobiomodulation.
Guest Jonathan Otto argues that while futuristic healing pods remain unproven, many of the biological principles attributed to them are already being investigated through light-based therapies.
What is photobiomodulation?
Photobiomodulation uses carefully selected wavelengths of visible red and near-infrared light to expose tissues to low-energy light.
Researchers have investigated whether these wavelengths may influence:
- mitochondrial energy production;
- cellular metabolism;
- inflammation;
- wound healing;
- circulation;
- pain reduction;
- tissue repair.
Unlike lasers used in surgery, photobiomodulation generally employs low-energy light that does not burn tissue.
During the interview, Otto argues that these biological effects have been documented for more than a century, referencing the Nobel Prize awarded in 1903 to Danish physician Niels Ryberg Finsen for therapeutic light treatments.
The claims made during the interview
Throughout the discussion, Otto cites numerous published studies and clinical papers that he says demonstrate significant biological effects from red light therapy.
Among the claims discussed are improvements in:
- eyesight;
- thyroid function;
- chronic pain;
- inflammation;
- stem cell mobilisation;
- cellular repair;
- fatigue;
- recovery from certain chronic conditions.
He also references experimental studies involving cancer models, stem cell activity, exosomes and mitochondrial function.
Host Clayton Morris supplements the discussion with his own personal experience, describing improvements in his vision after several weeks of using a commercial red light panel.
He also recounts similar experiences reported by members of his family.
These experiences are presented as personal anecdotes rather than controlled scientific evidence.
Where science currently stands
Photobiomodulation is no longer considered a fringe topic within medical research.
Thousands of laboratory and clinical studies have investigated its potential applications across multiple fields, including sports medicine, rehabilitation, dermatology and wound care.
Researchers generally agree that light can influence cellular processes, particularly within mitochondria—the structures responsible for producing cellular energy.
However, many of the broader therapeutic claims discussed during the interview remain the subject of ongoing research.
The effectiveness of red light therapy varies depending on the condition being treated, treatment protocols, wavelength, dosage and patient characteristics.
Many experts argue that stronger evidence from larger randomised controlled clinical trials is still needed before some proposed uses become standard medical practice.
Separating established research from speculation
One of the recurring themes throughout the interview is distinguishing between measurable biological effects and broader claims surrounding "Med Beds."
While Otto argues that modern red light therapy represents the early stages of regenerative technologies often associated with "Med Beds," the futuristic healing devices frequently described online remain unsupported by publicly available scientific evidence.
The interview therefore combines two distinct subjects:
- established research into photobiomodulation;
- speculative claims regarding advanced regenerative technologies.
Understanding that distinction is important when assessing the discussion.
A challenge to conventional medicine
The interview also raises broader questions about healthcare innovation.
Otto argues that inexpensive therapies capable of improving chronic health conditions receive less attention because they compete with profitable pharmaceutical treatments.
He suggests that commercial incentives have slowed wider adoption of photobiomodulation despite growing research.
Supporters of conventional medicine respond that new therapies—regardless of cost—must demonstrate safety and effectiveness through rigorous clinical trials before becoming accepted standards of care.
The debate reflects a wider conversation about how emerging medical technologies are evaluated, funded and ultimately adopted.
Does This Affect New Zealand?
Interest in red light therapy is growing in New Zealand, where physiotherapists, sports medicine practitioners, chiropractors, wellness clinics and some medical professionals already incorporate forms of photobiomodulation into treatment programmes for selected conditions. At the same time, New Zealand's regulatory framework requires therapeutic claims to be supported by appropriate evidence, meaning devices cannot legally be marketed as proven cures for diseases without sufficient scientific validation.
The broader discussion highlighted by the Redacted interview is likely to continue as research expands. Advances in regenerative medicine, stem cell biology, photobiomodulation and bioelectronic therapies are rapidly developing fields internationally. While futuristic "Med Beds" remain speculative, the underlying science of how light influences cellular function continues to attract serious research interest, suggesting that future healthcare may increasingly combine conventional medicine with evidence-based regenerative technologies.