Color Therapy: The Ultimate Forgotten Health Regeneration Biohack?

Can color really heal the mind and body?

This question lies at the heart of color therapy for healing, an ancient practice with roots dating back thousands of years to cultures such as Egypt, India, and China.

While it was once viewed primarily as a spiritual or mystical art, color therapy (also known as chromotherapy) is experiencing a modern revival.

Color therapy is gaining ground as a scientifically supported approach to restoring physical, emotional, and energetic balance.

In this article, we will explore the history, emerging science, diverse applications, and benefits of chromotherapy.

What Is Color Therapy ?

Color therapy, also called chromotherapy, is an ancient healing approach that uses light and color to restore balance and vitality.

Cultures in Egypt, India, and Greece practiced it for thousands of years.

Egyptians used colored glass windows to filter sunlight for healing, while Indian and Chinese traditions aligned colors to chakras or energy meridians (Evid Based CAM).

Historical evidence shows that some diseases these cultures treated using chromotherapy include psoriasis, rickets, and skin cancer (Comp Thera Med).

Over centuries, chromotherapy evolved from spiritual and mystical traditions into a structured modality, especially with the pioneering work of Dinshah Ghadiali.

Dinshah developed the Spectro-Chrome system, an influential framework that laid the foundation for modern color therapy practices.

Today, emerging research is bringing chromotherapy back into the spotlight.

Color therapy modalities involve various techniques such as:

• Using colored lights or color filters
• Meditation
• Color-infused oils
• Colored fabrics
• Guided color imagery or visualization
• Crystals
• Chromotherapy sauna

All designed to promote optimal health and rebalance your internal energy and emotions.

The relevance of this approach has grown as increasing studies explore the physiological and psychological effects of light on the human body.

What is the difference between chromotherapy & other light therapies?

Chromotherapy focuses more on emotional and energetic balance through skin, visual, and environmental exposure, while light therapy uses scientifically studied wavelengths for physiological and clinical benefits at a cellular level.

Here is a table summarizing the main differences between chromotherapy and other light therapies.

Chromotherapy shares the following similarities with these other modalities:

• Both use colors &/or specific wavelengths of light with the intention of influencing health & well-being
• Both therapies expose the body or skin to light as the medium for treatment
• Both consider that different colors or wavelengths have distinct effects
• Both provide mood, emotional, physiological, and mental health benefits through light exposure

Color therapy and light therapy overlap in that they use color and light. Their differences lie mainly in their methods, scope, and foundational theories.

If you’d like to learn about full spectrum light benefits and how-tos, read my post on sun gazing.

How Does Color Therapy Work?

Color therapy works by using specific wavelengths of visible light (colors) to affect the body’s physiology and psychology.

These determine how deeply the light penetrates tissues and how cells respond (J Clin Med).

For example, red light reaches deeper tissues, stimulating circulation, repair, and mitochondrial activity.

This is why red light is often used for tissue repair and recovery. It’s one of the effective mind body recovery biohacks.

Meanwhile, blue light primarily acts on the surface to calm inflammation and regulate mood during daytime (J Drug Dermatol).

When cells absorb light energy, it triggers biochemical responses such as:

• Enhanced mitochondrial efficiency
• Increased ATP (cellular energy) production
• Reduced oxidative stress
• Changes in the balance between harmful & protective chemical reactions (redox balance)

Color light also affects your mood, nervous and hormone (endocrine) systems.

Here are some examples.

Blue light exposure during the day stimulates the release of happy hormones (serotonin) and stress hormones (cortisol).

This promotes alertness, uplifts mood, and increases focus by affecting brain areas related to wakefulness. And sets the stage for natural tiredness in the evening, supporting a healthy sleep-wake cycle.

However, nighttime blue light exposure negatively impacts sleep by suppressing melatonin production.

Exploratory studies show that green and yellow tones influence serotonin and dopamine pathways, shaping mood, motivation, and focus.

Understanding that color is a wavelength of light that affects biological responses makes color therapy more credible as a healing modality.

What is color therapy’s role in ancient healing?

In ancient healing systems, color therapy is believed to influence the body’s subtle energy fields.

In Ayurveda, an ancient system of traditional Indian medicine, colors correspond to chakras (Sanskrit for ‘wheel’). Chakras are energy spirals in the body that influence emotional and organ balance.

Meanwhile, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) links colors to meridians and elemental systems of the body.

Meridians are energy pathways or channels that connect and unify the body, facilitating the flow of vital energy (Qi). The elemental systems include Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each of these corresponds to specific organs and colors.

In both healing systems, people use color to balance these energy centers. They do this through visualization, using colored clothing, crystals, or exposure to colored light.

Ongoing research is exploring this energy field concept by studying biophotons, tiny light particles emitted by our cells (Front Syst Neurosi).

Biophotons emit very faint light primarily in the ultraviolet and low visible light range. The light they emit covers various colors in the visible spectrum, although the intensity is extremely low (Int J Yoga).

Specific color wavelengths modulate or synchronize these biophotons, improving the coherence of cellular communication and repair processes (MADD)

In this sense, color therapy literally “tunes” the body’s internal light network, aligning ancient energy-based theories with emerging findings in biophysics.

What Are The Benefits of Chromotherapy?

Chromotherapy provides a wide range of mind-body benefits by using specific colors of light to restore balance, boost healing, and enhance overall well-being.

Here are the notable ones.

Reduces inflammation

Red light targets light-absorbing molecules (chromophores) inside your mitochondria, increasing ATP and nitric oxide.

This lowers oxidative stress and downregulates inflammatory markers like NF-kB, which reduces swelling and supports tissue repair (J Photochem Photobiol).

Check out the guide to red light therapy benefits to learn more.

Relieves pain

Chromotherapy relieves pain by calming nerve activity and relaxing muscle tension through light-triggered biochemical processes. These processes reduce inflammation and regulate calcium ion channels, easing pain sensations.

Accelerates healing

Chromotherapy increases cellular energy and stimulates growth factors like VEGF. This speeds up tissue repair and regeneration, helping the body recover faster after injury (Comp Thera Med).

Increases range of motion

Reduced inflammation and improved tissue repair from color light exposure helps relax muscles and joints, allowing for better flexibility and movement (AIMS Biohpys).

Regulates mood

Colors influence your brain through light-sensitive pathways that connect the eyes to the hypothalamus and pineal gland.

These pathways regulate serotonin and melatonin. These are hormones that affect your mood, energy, and sleep cycles (Coll Antropol).

Blue light boosts serotonin and alertness, while red and amber tones encourage melatonin release and relaxation.

Improves sleep

Blue and green light act as signals to your body’s master clock (suprachiasmatic nucleus) and use them to adjust your body’s internal timing (circadian rhythm).

In regulating your circadian rhythm, it aligns your body’s biological clock for better sleep (Chronobiol Int).

Of course, another advantage is that color therapy is easy to combine with other ways to optimize sleep.

Eases Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Certain color light frequencies help rebalance hormones disrupted by low sunlight. This restores healthy serotonin and melatonin levels, easing symptoms of SAD (Sleep Med Res, Clocks Sleep).

Technology like SAD lamps are probably the best innovation for this too. Check out the SOLshine review to learn more about how these work.

Holistically supports physical & emotional health

Color therapy supports physical and emotional health by using colored light to balance your body’s cells, energy systems, and brain chemistry.

Recent scientific research shows that these involve multiple interconnected processes. These result in reduced stress, improved mood, and enhanced harmony between mind and body for overall well-being (Evid Based CAM).

How Do You Use Color Therapy for Healing?

During chromotherapy, you or a color therapist applies color intentionally to your body by using colored light, visualization, or environmental design.

You can use color therapy for physical ailments, mental health issues, energy concerns, and mood/emotional challenges.

I’ve summarized below the historical, anecdotal, and science-based effects of different colors on human health.

Most are known by anecdotal and historical evidence. The ones with citations have scientific support.

What Are the Types of Color Therapy?

The types of color therapy range from ancient sunlight rituals to modern LED systems.

Below is a list of common approaches, ordered from the most scientifically validated to the more historical or anecdotal-based ones.

Each method approaches healing through a different lens, but they all share one goal: using color to restore balance in the body and mind.

Modern LED & laser chromotherapy

Modern chromotherapy merges traditional color wisdom with light-based biomedical technology by using LEDs or low-level lasers.

Therapists deliver specific wavelengths that penetrate tissue to stimulate biological responses, such as increased collagen production, faster wound healing, and pain relief.

Red (and near-infrared light) is particularly well studied for its effects on mitochondrial energy production and inflammation control.

Clinical applications are growing in dermatology, physical therapy, and even mood regulation.

Unlike older forms, this method has scientific support from fields like photobiomodulation and light medicine.

Spectro-Chrome therapy

Spectro-Chrome therapy uses colored glass filters or gel light filters (specifically Roscolene filters) placed over a light source to project specific hues onto the body.

Developed in the early 1900s by Dinshah P. Ghadiali, Spectro-Chrome (S-C) therapy is often considered the foundation of modern chromotherapy.

The system utilizes 12 colors that are arranged differently from the traditional color wheel and details protocols for various conditions.

Then you have other colors like:

• Lemon for renewal
• Turquoise for equilibrium
• Violet for inspiration
• Magenta for compassion
• Scarlet for passion

While historically influential, this method remains largely anecdotal and lacks modern clinical validation.

It’s best viewed as a complementary wellness tool rather than a proven medical treatment.

Environmental color therapy

Environmental color therapy focuses on the hues that surround you: home décor, lighting, and even your wardrobe.

Warm tones like yellow and orange can energize a space, while cool blues and greens promote calm and focus.

Designers and psychologists often use these principles to shape mood and productivity in hospitals, offices, and homes.

While its effects are psychological rather than physiological, research in color psychology supports its influence on mood and emotional regulation (Heliyon).

Ayurvedic color healing

Ayurvedic color healing uses color visualization, sunlight exposure, crystals, or colored fabrics to realign imbalances.

Rooted in India’s 5,000-year-old Ayurvedic tradition, this approach connects color to the body’s chakras and mind-body types (doshas).

For example:

• Blue or violet for calming fiery (Pitta) temperaments
• Orange or yellow to ground cool & airy (Vata) doshas
• Red to cut through & activate heavy & sluggish (Kapha) energies

Ayurvedic color healing emphasizes harmony between the inner and outer environment. It is often paired with yoga, meditation, and breathwork (pranayama).

Though its energetic framework is not scientifically verified, its stress-reducing and meditative aspects can enhance overall well-being.

Crystal color therapy

Crystal color therapy combines the natural energetic properties of crystals with the therapeutic influence of color vibrations.

Using crystals and colored minerals for healing dates back to ancient Egypt and Greece. In olden times, these cultures used stones and crystals as remedies and to augment color-based treatments.

But combining crystals with color vibrations blends diverse traditions, including Egyptian, Greek, Ayurvedic, and later modern adaptations of chromotherapy.

The traditional belief is that a crystal’s color and inherent energy influence the body’s electromagnetic fields and chakras, promoting balance and wellness.

Each crystal color corresponds to different chakras and associated energies.

Practitioners place crystals on or around the body, often specifically over chakras or affected areas, to harmonize energy flow and support healing.

Here are other ways this therapy can be done:

• Crystals are worn as jewelry or carried to maintain a continual energetic connection
• During meditation, crystals may be held, arranged in grids around the space, or positioned strategically for grounding & energy amplification
• Crystal-infused products like candles & water bottles combine crystal energy with other modalities such as aromatherapy or hydration

Crystal color therapy is often integrated with colored light exposure and other color therapy forms to amplify its effects.

Hydrochromotherapy

Hydrochromotherapy involves shining a single color of light (monochromatic light) onto water, which is then consumed as “chromatized” or light-infused water.

It’s an intriguing and unique way to deliver the effects of chromotherapy internally rather than through direct light exposure.

Scientists describe the process behind chromatized water as charge quantization. This is a phenomenon where light energy interacts with water molecules to form structured clusters or “hydration spheres.”

This idea emerged from spectroscopic analyses showing that light-treated water may carry specific energetic properties depending on the color used.

Proponents claim each color-energized water supports specific bodily functions. For instance, red for vitality or blue for relaxation.

However, this technique is highly speculative and not supported by peer-reviewed research, so it should be regarded as experimental and approached cautiously.

How Do You Apply Color Therapy for Healing at Home?

Doing color therapy at home for healing can be as simple and free as meditating/visualizing colors to having a modern setup of LED chromotherapy lamps ($70-320).

Keep in mind that color therapy is considered a complementary practice. It shouldn’t replace prescribed medical care, especially for chronic or severe conditions.

However, many find it a safe and uplifting addition to meditation, mindfulness, and wellness routines.

Below are simple ways to integrate chromotherapy into your daily wellness routine.

Use color light devices or lamps

Start with LED chromotherapy bulbs, panels, or portable light wands that emit specific wavelengths. You can easily buy these on Amazon.

Here are some general guidelines:

• For energy & circulation: Try red light for 10–20 minutes a day on large muscle areas
• For calm & sleep: Use amber tones in the evening to relax & signal your body to wind down
• For mood balance: Green light has been shown to support heart rate variability & ease tension (Evid Based CAM)

Avoid looking directly at the light and keep exposure moderate (10–20 min). Like any wellness tool, consistency matters more than intensity.

If you’d like to explore Dinshah’s Spectro-Chrome (S-C) therapy, you can buy a starter package for $255 at the Stage Lighting Store website.

The package contains all the color filters you need for S-C therapy, but you’ll need to provide your own lighting fixture that uses a 6.5″ color frame.

Curate color in your environment

Use color to shape an environment that positively influences your mood, focus, and state of mind to achieve your desired outcome.

Here are some ideas:

• Paint your workspace in blues or greens to improve concentration & calmness
• Add yellow accents in your kitchen for warmth & optimism
• Use soft pink or lavender lighting in your bedroom for serenity
• Wear clothing that reflects how you want to feel that day, e.g., bold reds for confidence, cool tones for peace

Even adjusting your screen filters or LED lights to warmer hues after sunset can help stabilize circadian rhythms and sleep quality.

Practice color visualization or meditation

Lie or sit comfortably, close your eyes, breathe deeply, and visualize yourself surrounded by a healing color.

Here’s how:

• Imagine blue light cooling your nerves & calming stress
• Visualize green light restoring harmony to your heart & emotions
• Picture gold or white light washing over your body, cleansing your mind & spirit

You can pair this with prayer, affirmations, or soft instrumental music to deepen the relaxation response. It’s similar to guided imagery used in stress-reduction therapies.

You can also combine color meditation with breathwork or sound to amplify results. Example: inhale while imagining blue light, exhale tension while picturing gray mist leaving your body.

You can also match color frequencies to sound to create a multi-sensory healing environment. For instance, green light with heart-centered tones like 528 Hz.

Even better, try color meditation while lying on a vibroacoustic bed. Learn their benefits and the better therapy bed options with my vibroacoustic therapy bed guide.

Try combining these practices while under chromotherapy lights, or in a chromotherapy bath (below), and observe how you respond.

Try hydrochromotherapy

Hydrochromotherapy enhances color therapy’s effects with the use of water, on the premise that water amplifies light energy.

There are 2 main ways to do this: chromotherapy baths and “water elixirs.”

Chromotherapy baths

Shine your preferred colored light onto your bathwater before stepping in. While you’re in the bath, do a color visualization that corresponds to the color you shone onto the water.

Water elixirs

Make a water elixir by placing a glass bottle of water on a colored filter of your choice. Leave it in sunlight for a few hours, and drink it as “color-infused water.”

Though hydrochromotherapy isn’t yet scientifically verified, it’s a gentle, symbolic way to internalize the color’s energy. Use it as a mindful ritual rather than a medical treatment.

What Are the Drawbacks of Chromotherapy?

Chromotherapy is generally considered safe, but there are some potential side effects, risks, and drawbacks.

Here are possible risks and some tips to avoid them:

While chromotherapy can be safe for most people, individuals with photosensitivity, epilepsy, migraines, certain skin or eye conditions, or serious psychological disorders should exercise caution and consult healthcare professionals before use.

Usage guidelines and safety precautions (e.g., avoiding close eye exposure to lamps) are important due to risks like retinal damage and triggering seizures.

Color Therapy Questions & Answers

Have some questions about using color therapy for health? I’ve answered some of the most common ones below.

Final Thoughts: What Is the Future of Color Therapy?

Color therapy bridges ancient healing traditions and modern biophysics, reminding us that light is not just seen. It’s felt and absorbed.

It’s not inaccurate to say that it continues to fascinate both wellness seekers and scientists.

More applications of color therapy are being explored now, expanding its therapeutic effects in areas of human health like:

• physiological
• mental & cognitive
• emotional
• stress & anxiety
• recovery

Color therapy offers a low-cost, chemical-free complement for holistic health enthusiasts.

Its simplicity, accessibility, and ancient roots make it a timeless ally in preventive and integrative wellness.

As research deepens, I look forward to chromotherapy emerging from the fringe into an evidence-informed practice for holistic health.

Perhaps the future of health and medicine lies not only in molecules but also in light frequencies.

I’m curious. Do you have experience with color light healing?

Let us know in the comments below how it went for you. And please email this article to your friends interested in alternative, gentle, low-cost therapeutic modalities.