Effect of Low-Level Laser Acupuncture Therapy on Blood Dopamine and Serotonin Levels: An Experimental Study
Abstract
Background: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is quickly becoming popular for quitting smoking. Proponents of laser therapy for tobacco cessation claim that stimulation of auricular acupoints leads to the release of dopamine and serotonin, thereby minimising cravings and withdrawal effects. However, there is a lack of research supporting this theory of an increase in feel-good hormones after stimulation. This study aimed to evaluate the blood dopamine and serotonin levels before and after the LLLT. Materials and Methods: This study on 14 healthy human volunteers who consented to participate were included in the study. Prior to the laser therapy, blood was drawn from a vein located on the inside of the elbow. The participants were then subjected to LLLT on four different points on the ear pinna of both sides. Each point was irradiated for 1 min. Immediately after the laser therapy, blood was again drawn from each subject and was sent to the laboratory for the evaluation of plasma dopamine and serum serotonin levels. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in dopamine (P = 0.031) and serotonin (P = 0.023) levels in the blood after LLLT. Conclusion: LLLT can be found to be extremely effective for tobacco cessation as it painlessly stimulates the release of dopamine and serotonin. These feel-good hormones can reduce the severity of cravings and withdrawal symptoms and increase the feelings of improved well-being and calmness.
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BibTeX
@article{khairnar2026effect,
title = {{Effect of Low-Level Laser Acupuncture Therapy on Blood Dopamine and Serotonin Levels: An Experimental Study}},
author = {Mahesh Ravindra Khairnar and P. G. Naveen Kumar and Harakh Chand Baranwal and Arun Kumar Dubey and Sachin Kumar Jadhav and Zainab Akram and S. Savitha Priyadarsini and Ridhi Ghodela},
journal = {Journal of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.4103/jiaphd.jiaphd_154_25},
url = {https://doi.org/10.4103/jiaphd.jiaphd_154_25},
note = {CC BY-NC-SA},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effect of Low-Level Laser Acupuncture Therapy on Blood Dopamine and Serotonin Levels: An Experimental Study
AU - Mahesh Ravindra Khairnar
AU - P. G. Naveen Kumar
AU - Harakh Chand Baranwal
AU - Arun Kumar Dubey
AU - Sachin Kumar Jadhav
AU - Zainab Akram
AU - S. Savitha Priyadarsini
AU - Ridhi Ghodela
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Journal of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry
DO - 10.4103/jiaphd.jiaphd_154_25
UR - https://doi.org/10.4103/jiaphd.jiaphd_154_25
AB - Background: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is quickly becoming popular for quitting smoking. Proponents of laser therapy for tobacco cessation claim that stimulation of auricular acupoints leads to the release of dopamine and serotonin, thereby minimising cravings and withdrawal effects. However, there is a lack of research supporting this theory of an increase in feel-good hormones after stimulation. This study aimed to evaluate the blood dopamine and serotonin levels before and after the LLLT. Materials and Methods: This study on 14 healthy human volunteers who consented to participate were included in the study. Prior to the laser therapy, blood was drawn from a vein located on the inside of the elbow. The participants were then subjected to LLLT on four different points on the ear pinna of both sides. Each point was irradiated for 1 min. Immediately after the laser therapy, blood was again drawn from each subject and was sent to the laboratory for the evaluation of plasma dopamine and serum serotonin levels. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in dopamine (P = 0.031) and serotonin (P = 0.023) levels in the blood after LLLT. Conclusion: LLLT can be found to be extremely effective for tobacco cessation as it painlessly stimulates the release of dopamine and serotonin. These feel-good hormones can reduce the severity of cravings and withdrawal symptoms and increase the feelings of improved well-being and calmness.
SN - 2319-5932
SN - 2350-0484
ER -