Affiliate & partner disclosure: This article contains links to products from which Simply Younger may earn a commission. As an authorised LifeWave Brand Partner, the author has a financial interest in promoting LifeWave products. Testimonial given by a LifeWave brand partner with financial interest in promoting the product. See full disclosure below.
When William Shatner — the man who played Captain Kirk, who at 95 is still one of the most recognisable figures in entertainment — sits down and starts asking pointed questions about how a wellness technology actually works, you pay attention. That’s exactly what happened in a recent conversation between Shatner and LifeWave founder David Schmidt, and the exchange cuts straight to the questions most people have when they first hear about phototherapy patches.
I’m Dave, founder of Simply Younger, approaching 50. I’ve been using LifeWave X39 daily as part of my longevity stack, and I’ve written extensively about the science of stem cells, exercise, and recovery. But hearing Shatner ask the same questions my readers ask — and watching Schmidt answer them plainly — is worth sharing.
Key takeaways from the conversation
- William Shatner asks David Schmidt directly how LifeWave’s phototherapy technology works and what role mitochondria play.
- Schmidt explains that the patches act as optical filters, reflecting the body’s own biophotons (low-level light naturally emitted by cells) back into the skin.
- The goal, according to Schmidt, is to stimulate the skin with specific wavelengths to support the body’s natural processes.
- Schmidt describes mitochondrial health as central to his company’s research — the idea that optimising mitochondrial function supports cellular vitality.
- When Shatner asks what else supports the technology, Schmidt’s answer is unexpected: live in a state of love and gratitude.
What did Shatner want to know?
Shatner opened with the fundamental question: how does reflecting light back into the body actually do anything? It’s the same question most people have. Schmidt’s explanation was straightforward — the patches don’t introduce drugs, chemicals, or anything transdermal. Instead, they work as optical filters that reflect biophotons (the low-level light naturally emitted by all living cells) back into the skin at specific wavelengths. The concept is that these wavelengths can gently stimulate the body’s own processes.
Schmidt used glutathione as an example — the body’s master antioxidant, which supports immune function and detoxification but naturally declines with age. His point was that the technology aims to signal the body to increase its own production of compounds it already makes, rather than introducing external substances.
Why did Schmidt put mitochondria at “ground zero”?
When Shatner asked about mitochondria, Schmidt called them the centre of everything his lab focuses on. This aligns with what longevity science has been saying for years: mitochondrial function is one of the strongest correlates of biological ageing. As mitochondria decline, cellular energy production drops, repair processes slow, and the downstream effects touch every system — from muscle repair to inflammation management to stem cell function.
Schmidt framed his company’s research around not just lifespan but healthspan — keeping people functioning at a high level for as long as possible. That language resonates with me personally. At nearly 50, I’m not interested in just living longer — I want to stay strong, sharp, and capable. That’s why I train every second day, cold plunge year-round, track body composition monthly with the Hume Pod, and wear an X39 patch daily.
What was Schmidt’s most surprising answer?
When Shatner asked what else supports the technology beyond the patches themselves, Schmidt didn’t name a supplement or a protocol. He said the best support is to live in a state of love and gratitude. From a founder who has spent decades in phototherapy research and runs a global wellness company, that answer stands out. It’s a reminder that no technology operates in a vacuum — mindset, stress, emotional state, and how you approach life all influence how your body functions at a cellular level. The research on stress hormones, cortisol, inflammatory markers, and their effects on stem cell niches and chronic inflammation supports this instinct, even if it sounds more philosophical than scientific.
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If you’re exploring longevity tools, phototherapy is one of the most misunderstood categories. People either dismiss it because it sounds too simple (“a patch that reflects light?”) or they expect miracle claims. The value of this Shatner conversation is that it strips the topic down to plain questions and plain answers. The technology stimulates the skin with light. It’s non-transdermal. It doesn’t introduce drugs. It’s designed to support the body’s own natural processes.
That simplicity is exactly why X39 has a place in my daily stack alongside resistance training, time-restricted eating, tracked sleep, PerfectAmino, and cold exposure. It’s one input among many — not a replacement for any of them.
What X39 is — and what it isn’t. LifeWave X39 is a non-transdermal, general-wellness phototherapy patch that gently stimulates the skin with light to support the body’s natural energy flow for strength and stamina. It contains no drugs and is not a treatment for any disease or medical condition. Claims made by speakers in the video above represent their own views and research direction and should not be interpreted as medical claims about any LifeWave product.
As an authorised LifeWave Brand Partner I have a financial interest in promoting it. You can explore X39 and the Cellular Performance System at my store: lifewave.com/dcp.
Shop X39 & the Cellular Performance System →
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Or shop X39 at my LifeWave store →
Frequently asked questions
Is William Shatner associated with LifeWave?
In this video, Shatner participates in a conversation with LifeWave founder David Schmidt, asking questions about how the technology works. The nature of his relationship with the company beyond this conversation should be confirmed through official LifeWave channels.
How do LifeWave patches work?
According to David Schmidt, the patches act as optical filters that reflect the body’s own biophotons (naturally emitted low-level light) back into the skin at specific wavelengths, gently stimulating the body’s natural processes without introducing any drugs or transdermal substances.
What are biophotons?
Biophotons are ultra-weak photon emissions produced by all living cells. They are a documented biological phenomenon, though the extent to which they can be practically harnessed is an area of ongoing research.
What is glutathione?
Glutathione is often called the body’s master antioxidant. It supports immune function, detoxification, and protection against oxidative stress. Levels naturally decline with age.
Why did Schmidt mention mitochondria?
Mitochondrial function is strongly correlated with biological ageing. Schmidt described it as the central focus of his lab’s research, with the goal of supporting healthspan — keeping people functioning at a high level for as long as possible.
What is LifeWave X39?
It’s a non-transdermal, general-wellness phototherapy patch that gently stimulates the skin with light to support the body’s natural energy flow for strength and stamina. It is not a drug or treatment for any condition.
Related reading
What Are Stem Cells? · Stem Cell Exhaustion After 50 · Exercise and Stem Cells · Sleep and Stem Cells · Stem Cells and Inflammation · Fasting and Stem Cell Regeneration
Full disclosure. This article is general wellness education and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. LifeWave X39 is a non-transdermal, general-wellness phototherapy patch and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. As an authorised LifeWave Brand Partner, the author has a financial interest in promoting LifeWave products. Claims made by individuals in the referenced video represent their own views. Always consult a qualified professional about your individual health.
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