The Superhuman Protocol: A Comprehensive Guide to Red Light Therapy, PEMF, and Exercise with Oxygen Therapy
I first heard about the Superhuman Protocol on in an interview with Gary Brecka, Co-Founder and Chief Biologist of 10X Health, on the Ben Greenfield Life podcast. As someone interested in all the cutting-edge health gadgets and protocols, I’m always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to improve my overall health. This protocol involved 2 therapies I was already familiar with and a third that sounded extremely interesting. So when I heard about the Superhuman Protocol, I knew I had to try it out for myself.
At about the 19-minute mark of the interview Greenfield and Brecka get into a conversation about his experience working with life insurance companies and their perfection of the science of mortality. This particular quote really struck me:
If I was to boil my entire career down to one sentence, I say this all the time, it would be that the presence of oxygen is the absence of disease.
Gary Brecka Interview on the Ben Greenfield Life Podcast
Brecka goes on to say “We did not find a single disease etiological pathway that did not either have its roots in the absence of blood oxygen or was not severely exacerbated by the absence of blood oxygen.” and then gives several examples. That discussion made me want to dig in even further.
What Is The Superhuman Protocol?
The Superhuman Protocol is a combination of three different therapies: Red Light Therapy, PEMF Therapy, and Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT). Each therapy has its own unique benefits, but when used together, they are advertised to help you achieve “superhuman” levels of health and wellness.
Jason Tabeau, DaVinci Medical Founder and CEO, is credited with developing the “Superhuman Protocol,” which involves a combination of red light therapy, PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) therapy, and exercise with oxygen therapy (EWOT). DaVinci Medical provides many of the technologies and products used in the protocol. Although, as I will discuss in this post, you may be able to mimic the impacts using other equipment or, to some extent, nature.
In this blog post, I’ll be providing a comprehensive guide to the Superhuman Protocol, including:
- An overview of each therapy, their benefits, and how they work.
- Recommended dosages.
- Safety considerations.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the world of the Superhuman Protocol!
PEMF Therapy (Magnetism)
First up, we have PEMF Therapy. PEMF stands for Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy, and it involves using electromagnetic fields to improve circulation, reduce pain and inflammation, and promote healing.
PEMF therapy can be administered through the use of a PEMF device, which emits low-frequency electromagnetic waves. These waves can penetrate the body and help stimulate cell activity.
So, how does PEMF therapy work? The electromagnetic waves from the device stimulate the cells in the body, which can help improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
Some of the benefits of PEMF therapy include:
- Improved circulation: PEMF therapy can help improve blood flow and oxygenation, which can be beneficial for people with conditions such as heart disease or diabetes.
- Reduced pain and inflammation: PEMF therapy can help reduce pain and inflammation in the body, which can be beneficial for people with conditions such as arthritis or chronic pain.
- Promotion of healing: PEMF therapy can help promote the healing of tissues and bones, which can be beneficial for people with injuries or fractures.
When it comes to dosage, it’s generally recommended to use a PEMF device for 30 minutes per day. This study used a dosage of two 30-minute sessions daily. I have done up to full-hour sessions using a PEMF mat at Re-Gen Fitness & Recovery in Omaha, Nebraska, and a 20-minute session on a chair at Optimyze in Phoenix, Arizona.
Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT)
Next, we have Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT). EWOT involves breathing in higher levels of oxygen during exercise to increase energy and uptake of oxygen into the cells.
EWOT can be administered through the combination of using an oxygen delivery system like the HyperMax Oxygen EWOT machine and an exercise machine (exercise bike, treadmill, etc.) to get your heart rate up. It is similar to high-intensity interval training (HIIT). A typical scenario would be 3 minutes at a comfortable pace and then a 30-second sprint followed by another 3 minutes at a comfortable pace and repeat.
So, how does EWOT work? The increased oxygen levels during exercise can help improve cardiovascular function and promote the release of endorphins, which can lead to increased energy and improved athletic performance.
Some of the benefits of EWOT include:
- Increased energy: EWOT can help improve energy levels, which can be beneficial for people who struggle with fatigue or low energy levels.
- Improved athletic performance: EWOT can help improve cardiovascular function, which can lead to improved athletic performance.
- Reduced stress: The release of endorphins during exercise can help reduce stress and improve overall mood.
When it comes to dosage, you can see in the table below EWOT typically ranges from 8-15 minutes per session. It’s also important to consider safety considerations such as ensuring that the equipment is functioning properly and that you are not overexerting yourself during exercise. To dive even deeper into how this therapy is beneficial you can read Oxygen Multistep Therapy: Physiological and Technical Foundations.
Red Light Therapy
The final component is red light therapy. If you’re not familiar with it, red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses red and near-infrared light to improve skin health, reduce inflammation, and boost energy levels.
One of the most popular ways to receive red light therapy is through the use of a red light therapy device. These devices emit red and near-infrared light and can be used to target specific areas of the body. I use a Joovv mini at home, but you may find much more intensive machines at clinics.
So, how does red light therapy work? The light from the device penetrates the skin and is absorbed by cells in the body. This light energy then triggers a series of metabolic reactions that can help improve cellular function and reduce inflammation.
Some of the benefits of red light therapy include:
- Improved skin health: Red light therapy can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and acne scars.
- Reduced inflammation: Red light therapy can help reduce inflammation in the body, which can be beneficial for people with conditions such as arthritis or chronic pain.
- Increased energy: Red light therapy can help improve energy levels and reduce feelings of fatigue.
When it comes to dosage, it’s generally recommended to use a red light therapy device for 10-20 minutes per day. It’s also important to consider safety considerations such as avoiding staring directly into the light and ensuring that the device is not too close to the skin.
The Superhuman Protocol
Now that we’ve covered each of the three therapies individually, let’s dive into the Superhuman Protocol itself. The idea behind the protocol is that by using all three therapies together, you can achieve optimal health benefits and reach superhuman levels of health and wellness.
According to Dr. Eric Snow, a doctor of chiropractic, whose clinic offers the Superhuman Protocol, 33 minutes is enough time for a full cycle. The 10x Health System website gives a similar time range for each modality. For comparison purposes, we broke them down in a table to highlight the slight differences.
Item | The 10x Health System | Snow Holistic |
PEMF | 8-10 minutes | 8 minutes |
EWOT | 8-10 minutes | 15 minutes |
Red Light Therapy | 10-12 minutes | 10 minutes |
By following this protocol, you can potentially experience a range of benefits, including:
- Improved energy levels
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved circulation
- Reduced pain and discomfort
- Improved athletic performance
- Improved mood and overall well-being
However, it’s important to note that while these therapies may have some benefits, there is limited scientific evidence to support their effectiveness for all the claimed benefits.
Safety Considerations
As with any new health and wellness protocol, it’s important to consider safety when using the Superhuman Protocol. Here are a few safety considerations to keep in mind:
- Follow recommended dosages: It’s important to follow the recommended dosages for each therapy to avoid overuse or misuse.
- Consider potential side effects: While these therapies are generally safe, they may cause side effects such as skin irritation or dizziness.
- Consult with a healthcare provider: If you have any underlying health conditions, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new health and wellness protocol.
Conclusion
I am still trying to find a place in Omaha that has all three of the Superhuman Protocol three different therapies: Red Light Therapy, PEMF Therapy, and Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT). Each therapy has its own unique benefits, but I want to use them together, to try and get the full benefit and experience. Some have PEMF and oxygen therapy and others have red light therapy but none have all of them.
As with any new health and wellness protocol, it’s important to consider safety and potential side effects before getting started. If you’re interested in trying the Superhuman Protocol for yourself, be sure to consult with a healthcare provider and follow recommended dosages for each therapy. Here’s to achieving superhuman levels of health and wellness!
Troy Wallace
Troy Wallace is Certified Basketball Speed Specialist and shares his experiences in trying to stay as healthy as possible to stay on the court. He is active in coaching youth basketball in YMCA, Team Work Sports Nebraska, and, currently, in the Jr. Warriors program in Omaha, NE. Visit Troy's Full Author Bio Page or email him directly.Meaningful conversations happening daily about training, recovery, and injury-specific rehabilitation as well as sport-specific discussions on playing, coaching and refereeing your favorite sport. We welcome experts and those with curious minds seeking answers.
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