Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A December 2014 PMID 25453064

Human infrared vision is triggered by two-photon chromophore isomerization.

Grazyna Palczewska, Frans Vinberg, Patrycjusz Stremplewski, Martin P Bircher, David Salom, Katarzyna Komar, Jianye Zhang, Michele Cascella, Maciej Wojtkowski, Vladimir J Kefalov, Krzysztof Palczewski

Mentions

88
Peak: 3 in Apr 2024
across 5 sources since May 2020

Extended reach

787,640
potential audience

Total likes

23,664

Video views

752,805

Mentions per month

May 2020 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News30 articles
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  • X / Twitter17 posts
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  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions showcase a mix of curiosity and support for the study, with examples like references to the PNAS paper and mentions of personal experiences seeing infrared. Words such as 'perceive,' 'study resolves,' and 'long-standing question' reflect a scientific tone and interest, while some casual comments and questions deepen engagement and hint at broader implications.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the study's findings, with many agreeing that humans can perceive infrared light through the described mechanism.

InterestHigh interest

Posts express high curiosity by sharing recent research and raising questions, indicating strong interest.

EngagementModerate engagement

Several discussions reference scientific concepts, past studies, or personal experiences, suggesting moderate but ongoing engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions highlight the potential implications of human infrared perception, though some posts are more casual or skeptical, indicating moderate impact.

Abstract in brief

  • Humans can perceive infrared laser light as visible through a process called two-photon chromophore isomerization, which activates the visual pigments in our eyes.
  • Experimental evidence shows that human photoreceptors respond even to near-infrared light above 900 nm, with increased sensitivity at these wavelengths, suggesting a nonlinear optical process.
  • Biochemical and quantum mechanics studies confirm that near-infrared light causes direct isomerization of visual pigments via two-photon absorption, enabling human perception of infrared light.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Dmitrij
@kurilod · X

@halidecamera @carpetneon less harmful to what? rhodopsin could detect infrared which could impact circadian signalling https://t.co/8pBLNdeB88 iPhone is prob not powerful/significant enough at all though

Sep 18, 2024 · 6 likes · 1,728 followers View post →
Corbo Lab at Washington University in St. Louis
@CorboLab · X

@joachimgoedhart Humans can see wavelengths >1000 nm if the light is bright enough. This phenomenon was first studied in the 1940s. Here’s a recent paper: https://t.co/dTUIyJ4C4q

Dec 13, 2023 · 5 likes · 402 followers View post →
UltimApe
@ultimape · X

@Grimhood @jaycousins It's probably something that westerners can't. I ate relatively well (organic home grown meals etc) while living with my mom as a child, which might explain why I could. Notably, the A2 mechanism may be different than this one: https://t.co/BH45ashE29

Apr 20, 2025 · 3 likes · 6,739 followers View post →
Chris Komatsu
@chris_komatsu · X

@lemonodor @_Zam15_ @thenewarea51 In fact, directing a laser using collumnated coherent light directly in one’s eye can apparently induce a photochemical response in rod receptors up to 1,025 nm if directed directly into your eye. Especially with all other light filtered out as they did. https://t.co/vzMjgaqdRZ

Oct 15, 2023 · 1 like · 4,197 followers View post →
Sergey @ science
@sergey_science · X

@Dan_Brisbois @WallStreetApes actually, humans are capable of seeing IR to small extent, it just looks pale green and probably depends on vitamin A status since retinol is needed for stronger vision in general. https://t.co/1Drf3YvfBA

Oct 26, 2025 · 1 like · 31 followers View post →
Nature Yogi Marco Andre
@DjMarcoAndre · X

Human infrared vision is triggered by two-photon chromophore isomerization. Study resolves a long-standing question about the ability of humans to perceive near infrared radiation. https://t.co/bBFemFnBG7

May 10, 2020 · 8,297 followers View post →

All mentions

Titan
@x253tradesx · X

@KenNort43180172 @WallStreetApes Human infrared vision is triggered by two-photon chromophore isomerization https://t.co/1vISKjxPhz .... it's been known for over 10 years that we sense infrared, specifically when its pulsed...

Oct 26, 2025 · 152 followers View post →
Sergey @ science
@sergey_science · X

@Dan_Brisbois @WallStreetApes actually, humans are capable of seeing IR to small extent, it just looks pale green and probably depends on vitamin A status since retinol is needed for stronger vision in general. https://t.co/1Drf3YvfBA

Oct 26, 2025 · 1 like · 31 followers View post →
Sergey @ science
@sergey_science · X

Did you know humans are able to see in infra-red spectrum of light? See this research paper: https://t.co/1Drf3YvfBA Also this quote: > Some authors of the present paper perceived low energy IR laser radiation of 1,060 nm as a pale greenish light. Not all green is green.

Sep 27, 2025 · 31 followers View post →
Francis G.
@FrancisG_02 · X

@dvatae @Keisaraynja_ @meteoradnp Because that’s the only documented way humans have experienced seeing infrared light. Human infrared vision is triggered by two-photon chromophore isomerization. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(50), E5445–E5454. https://t.co/cfqKushCA2

Aug 1, 2025 · 22 followers View post →
Trent DeRoc
@TrentDeRoc · X

@RileyRalmuto https://t.co/VeYENiOnAm

Apr 27, 2025 · 495 followers View post →
UltimApe
@ultimape · X

@Grimhood @jaycousins It's probably something that westerners can't. I ate relatively well (organic home grown meals etc) while living with my mom as a child, which might explain why I could. Notably, the A2 mechanism may be different than this one: https://t.co/BH45ashE29

Apr 20, 2025 · 3 likes · 6,739 followers View post →
Dmitrij
@kurilod · X

@halidecamera @carpetneon less harmful to what? rhodopsin could detect infrared which could impact circadian signalling https://t.co/8pBLNdeB88 iPhone is prob not powerful/significant enough at all though

Sep 18, 2024 · 6 likes · 1,728 followers View post →
Corbo Lab at Washington University in St. Louis
@CorboLab · X

@myrrlyn It’s well studied: https://t.co/rEHREkmt7j

Apr 16, 2024 · 402 followers View post →
UltimApe
@ultimape · X

@Hair_Artiste We should be able to see in some of the IR freq range that thought to be contributing to healing. "Long wavelength-sensitive visual pigments of vertebrates exhibit maximal absorption at the ∼500- to ∼625-nm range." https://t.co/BH45ashE29

Apr 13, 2024 · 6,739 followers View post →
Corbo Lab at Washington University in St. Louis
@CorboLab · X

@joachimgoedhart Humans can see wavelengths >1000 nm if the light is bright enough. This phenomenon was first studied in the 1940s. Here’s a recent paper: https://t.co/dTUIyJ4C4q

Dec 13, 2023 · 5 likes · 402 followers View post →
らうじぃ
@Rauziii · X

これだったかな Human infrared vision is triggered by two-photon chromophore isomerization | PNAS https://t.co/39czXSKmvZ

Nov 29, 2023 · 3,438 followers View post →
Chris Komatsu
@chris_komatsu · X

@lemonodor @_Zam15_ @thenewarea51 In fact, directing a laser using collumnated coherent light directly in one’s eye can apparently induce a photochemical response in rod receptors up to 1,025 nm if directed directly into your eye. Especially with all other light filtered out as they did. https://t.co/vzMjgaqdRZ

Oct 15, 2023 · 1 like · 4,197 followers View post →
Francis StAmour
@AfreemanFrancis · X

@Modeus2022 @MillieA33438970 If it was hot enough you could see the beams interactions with the air it travels thru therefore you could see it https://t.co/VTEpZgPd3t https://t.co/rOMgHbYMZN

Aug 14, 2023 · 504 followers View post →
John Walling
@JohnKI7YRA · X

Some people can see infrared from TV remote controls Human infrared vision is triggered by two-photon chromophore isomerization https://t.co/WwRgPtyW4L https://t.co/A6tczFMmNi

May 10, 2023 · 270 followers View post →
Hereburgher
@hereburgher · X

@bedcatalysis @rln_nelson @RoelofBoer @Veritatem2021 @benmooreau @Michael_D_Crow @Roadshow11235 @ChrisBBacon3 @oakden_wolf @BubbasRanch @jimdtweet @Kenneth72712993 @fergustp @freddie07068768 @wlbeeton @njbtweet @Canadianworker2 @donnieofthedead @HaleyTessIsis @PhydellaLL @NoelTurner194 @keithamccluskey @mikeslastword @Barbarajdurkin @Vander_Dude @bodhi_child @WindFmAnalytics @android21539794 @cieloyla @joe_possibly @Hakimi09966557 @USNA_73 @IngersolRobert @LofayPeter @GlennCarr6 @fern_60 @mogrant61 @RRB05871793 @Hakimi82421476 @insane_voice @ClimateSkeptic4 @IanDJbrown2 @WayneAllanH @N3S73 @MarshallCd @ejwwest @Narvuntien @priscian You mean the PNAS paper with the title "Human infrared vision is triggered by two-photon chromophore isomerization", in which the authors present clear evidence of IR being visible to the human eye. Who's the "moron" here?

Dec 27, 2022 · 1,345 followers View post →
Q
@inemurit · X

Humans Can Detect IR Light. https://t.co/zEqJlRj2sF

Apr 14, 2022 · 43 followers View post →
Nature Yogi Marco Andre
@DjMarcoAndre · X

Human infrared vision is triggered by two-photon chromophore isomerization. Study resolves a long-standing question about the ability of humans to perceive near infrared radiation. https://t.co/bBFemFnBG7

May 10, 2020 · 8,297 followers View post →