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Yale-trained neuroscientist Nailin Yao, PhD, is betting that “digital sunshine” delivered through the nose could help people fall asleep faster and get more deep, restorative sleep.
Her new device, Panbrain Lume, is an intranasal near-infrared (NIR) photobiomodulation tool that the company describes as an 8-minute, drug-free nightly routine for improving sleep quality. It launched on November 28, 2025 via a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign.
According to Panbrain’s press release, Lume uses a specific band of near-infrared light, described as the “most biologically active” portion of sunlight. The company explicitly links this to traditional East Asian practices such as:
A stainless-steel acupuncture pen and gua sha set for massage, reflexology, and tension relief.
View Product- Moxibustion, where burning mugwort over acupuncture points is used to warm and tonify the body
- Shai Bei, a form of therapeutic sunbathing intended to absorb “Yang Qi” or warming life energy
TCM Theory and Rationale
In Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Yang Qi is associated with warmth, activity, and the body’s ability to transform and move substances. Panbrain’s framing is that modern cell biology offers a measurable parallel: mitochondrial activity.
The press release describes Lume’s mechanism in terms of:
- Targeting mitochondria in brain cells with NIR light
- Increasing ATP (cellular energy) production
- Reducing inflammation
- Supporting the brain’s natural repair processes during deep sleep PR Newswire
This is consistent with broader “photobiomodulation” literature, where red and near-infrared light have been studied for effects on mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and tissue repair. However, the specific claims about Lume’s impact on sleep have not yet been established in large, independent clinical trials.
Optimizing Humans Since 2004 Shop Now!Why Intranasal Light?
Lume doesn’t shine light on the scalp; instead, it uses a small intranasal interface. The rationale is anatomical and vascular:
- The nasal cavity has thin tissues with dense blood vessels.
- It is close to several brain regions involved in regulating sleep and arousal.
- Delivering NIR light through the nasal passages may allow more direct exposure of blood and nearby tissues than surface scalp devices. PR Newswire
Panbrain summarizes the intended sleep effects as:
- Helping users fall asleep more quickly
- Increasing time spent in deep (slow-wave) sleep
- Improving morning alertness and subjective refreshment PR Newswire
At this stage, those outcomes are company claims and early-user reports, not established standards of care.
More To Explore
This opens an area of interest to explore more:
- The nose can be a viable route for targeting brain structures.
- Interventions that support mitochondrial function can influence cognition and brain repair, at least in animal models.1
For people exploring integrative options around sleep:
- Do not stop or change prescribed medications or therapies without talking to your healthcare provider.
- If someone chooses to back or later purchase Lume, it should be seen as a complementary tool—like a light-therapy box, relaxation practice, or sleep-hygiene intervention—not as a standalone cure.
About Dr. Nailin Yao and PanbrainTechnologies
Dr. Nailin Yao is a former postdoctoral fellow in Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine and a recognized expert in the intersection of neuroscience and technology. Her company, Panbrain Technologies, is dedicated to developing elegant, science-backed consumer health devices that leverage brain-machine interface principles for everyday wellness.
CSJAcupuncture.com is not making any clinical claims about this device. This article reports what the company and cited researchers say, and is for informational and news purposes only.
- Alexander JF, Seua AV, Arroyo LD, Ray PR, Wangzhou A, Heiβ-Lückemann L, Schedlowski M, Price TJ, Kavelaars A, Heijnen CJ. Nasal administration of mitochondria reverses chemotherapy-induced cognitive deficits. Theranostics. 2021 Jan 1;11(7):3109-3130. doi: 10.7150/thno.53474. PMID: 33537077; PMCID: PMC7847685. ↩︎
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about a medical condition or treatment.
