Framework of Thought With Microtubules, Photobiomodulation, and Brain Health
Sarah Turner is the Founder of CeraThrive, a wellness company specialising in photobiomodulation and its impact on the gut-brain connection. With a background in neuroscience and biohacking, Sarah is dedicated to advancing innovative therapies that optimise health, longevity, and performance.
When we talk about the brain, most conversations orbit around neurons and neurotransmitters, dopamine this, synapse that. But beneath the fireworks of neural chatter lies a subtler, structural intelligence: microtubules. These tiny, tubular proteins form part of the cell’s cytoskeleton. Most textbooks will tell you they’re like scaffolding, useful but unremarkable.
Microtubules aren’t just passive pipes holding up the cell’s architecture. They’re dynamic, information-processing structures that respond to electrical and photonic activity. In other words, they think. Or, at the very least, they help cells do something uncannily like it.
Some researchers, most notably Stuart Hameroff and Roger Penrose, have proposed that consciousness itself might emerge from quantum processes inside these very microtubules. That’s still open for debate, but what’s less contentious is their role in maintaining cellular integrity, especially in the brain. When microtubules go awry, we see early signs of neurodegeneration, think tau tangles in Alzheimer’s. So it’s curious that they’re still largely absent from mainstream neurological treatment models.
Now, where this gets particularly interesting is in the realm of photobiomodulation (PBM). Red and near-infrared light therapy has gained traction for its effects on mitochondrial function, inflammation, and cognitive health. But recent work suggests that microtubules themselves may be light-sensitive, particularly to near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths. Studies have shown that NIR light can influence microtubule polymerisation and stability, hinting at a direct photonic relationship with these cytoskeletal structures (Kwon et al., 2022). Other investigations into the mechanisms of photobiomodulation suggest that light-sensitive proteins and ion channels may interface with microtubules, modulating their function and behaviour in response to light (Salehpour & Rasta, 2023). Work by Travis Craddock and Jack Tuszynski has further elaborated on the energetic and vibrational properties of microtubules, suggesting they may be capable of information processing well beyond the biochemical level.
Even earlier, foundational work hinted at the broader implications of microtubular architecture in consciousness and cognition, notably in studies on the self-organising and energy transfer potential of these structures (Pribram, 1993). Nancy J. Woolf’s chapter "Microtubules in the Cerebral Cortex: Role in Memory and Consciousness" (2006) offers a detailed look at their influence in the cortex, arguably the seat of awareness, suggesting these fibres are more than passive support. They may be the framework through which conscious experience arises.
Imagine your brain as a bustling city.
Most people think the important action is in the big roads (neurons) and the traffic signals (neurotransmitters). But underneath it all is the city's hidden infrastructure, a network of tunnels and pipes keeping everything connected and running smoothly. These are your microtubules.
For years, scientists thought microtubules were just passive scaffolding, like the metal framework inside a building. But now, researchers have found these tiny structures actually respond to light, especially certain kinds of gentle red and infrared light used in therapy.
Why should you care?
Because when these microtubules start to fall apart, think burst water mains or collapsed tunnels, the brain city stops working properly. This is exactly what happens in diseases like Alzheimer’s, where the earliest signs of trouble are tangled, broken microtubules.
The good news is, shining the right light on your brain (with a specifically designed headband, for instance) may help keep these microtubules healthy. It’s a bit like sending in repair crews with blueprints and fresh materials.
And not just the brain, microtubules also line your gut, where they play a key role in cellular function and the gut-brain axis. Systems that deliver red and near-infrared light to both regions may be uniquely positioned to address neurodegenerative and inflammatory conditions by supporting this foundational, light-responsive architecture.
So the next time you hear about “light therapy for the brain,” don’t just picture brainwaves and zapping neurons. Think of it as essential maintenance for your body’s most overlooked and under-lit plumbing. It might be the missing piece in keeping your mind and gut sharp for years to come.
Sarah Turner, CEO CeraThrive and Red Light Therapy Expert
Sarah Turner is the founder of CeraThrive, a company advancing wellness through photobiomodulation and its impact on the gut-brain connection. With a background in neuroscience and biohacking, she is passionate about exploring innovative therapies to optimise health and performance. Sarah also co-hosts the "Rebel Scientist" podcast, where she explores cutting-edge topics in wellness and longevity.
References:
Kwon, H.J., et al. (2022). Photobiomodulation alters microtubule dynamics in neurons. PMC9115106
Salehpour, F., & Rasta, S.H. (2023). Photobiomodulation and cytoskeletal response in neurodegeneration. PMC9953702
Craddock, T.J.A., et al. (2012). The feasibility of coherent energy transfer in microtubules. Biosystems, 107(3), 122–133.
Tuszynski, J.A., et al. (2005). Microtubules as sub-cellular processors and their possible role in consciousness. Biosystems, 77(1–3), 91–105.
Hameroff, S., & Penrose, R. (2014). Consciousness in the universe: A review of the ‘Orch OR’ theory. Physics of Life Reviews, 11(1), 39–78.
Pribram, K.H. (1993). Microtubules and the Mind: Is there a connection? In: Pribram, K.H. (ed.) Rethinking Neural Networks. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
Woolf, N.J. (2006). Microtubules in the Cerebral Cortex: Role in Memory and Consciousness. In: The Emerging Physics of Consciousness. Springer.
