What Is a Biomat? Infrared Heat, Amethyst Crystals, and Nervous System Support

There are plenty of wellness tools that promise to help you relax.

Heated blankets. Red light panels. Infrared saunas. PEMF mats. Massage pads. And now, you may have heard of something called a Bio Mat.

At first glance, a wellness BioMat looks more like a thick yoga mat or mattress pad than a standard heating pad, and it plugs into a controller that regulates the heat. A BioMat is a full-body infrared mat that combines far-infrared heat, negative ions, and amethyst and tourmaline crystals to create warmth and relaxation during a wellness session.

I use a professional BioMat at High Vibrations Healing as an optional addition to some sessions because warmth can provide a simple, comforting sensory experience while we're doing deeper work.

And sometimes, simple matters.

When you spend much of your life tense, overstimulated, or feeling like you need to keep going, lying somewhere warm and supported can offer a very different experience. For people exploring wellness tools for relaxation, muscle relief, and nervous system support—including those drawn to Reiki, somatic wellness, or energy work—that kind of support can be part of what helps the body settle.

But what exactly is a BioMat? The word “biomat” can also refer to biodegradable mats used in gardening for soil support, but here we’re talking about the wellness device. Is it the same as red light therapy? What about the infrared and crystals? And what can we realistically say about its benefits?

We’ll look at how a BioMat works, how it compares with red light therapy and PEMF mats, the potential benefits and limits, what using one actually feels like, how it fits into holistic sessions, what to consider for home use, and what to know about safety, including during pregnancy.

Let's break it down.

What Is a BioMat?

A BioMat is a full-body infrared mat designed to be placed on a treatment table, bed, or other flat surface.

The Professional BioMat incorporates three primary components:

• Far-infrared heat

• Negative-ion technology

• Amethyst and tourmaline crystals

It also has adjustable temperature controls, allowing the warmth to be customized for the person using it. BioMat.com

During a session at High Vibrations Healing, you simply lie on the mat. There isn't anything you have to do.

That is one reason I like incorporating it into my work.

So much of our everyday life asks us to perform, respond, solve, or accomplish something. The BioMat creates an opportunity to experience warmth and rest without adding another task.

How Does a BioMat Work?

There are several layers to the BioMat experience, and it's helpful to separate what we know about the physical technology from the energetic traditions that may also inform holistic practices.

1. Far-Infrared Heat

Far-infrared radiation, or FIR, is part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Unlike ultraviolet radiation, infrared is associated with heat rather than the UV wavelengths responsible for sunburn.

The BioMat uses far-infrared therapy to produce warmth across the surface of the mat. The manufacturer markets its Professional model for temporary relief of minor muscle and joint discomfort, muscle relaxation, and increased local circulation. BioMat.com

If you've ever noticed your shoulders soften in a warm bath or felt your muscles relax underneath a heating pad, you already understand why warmth itself can feel restorative.

That physical sensation can also complement the quieter work we're doing during a session.

2. Amethyst and Tourmaline Crystals

One of the things that makes the BioMat visually different from an ordinary heating pad is its use of amethyst and tourmaline crystals.

The crystals are integrated into the mat's design and are used in conjunction with its infrared and negative-ion technologies. The manufacturer describes the crystals as part of the system for distributing or amplifying the infrared experience. BioMat.com

Within holistic and energetic traditions, crystals may also be associated with grounding, balance, and energetic well-being.

I think it's important to distinguish those two conversations.

You don't need to believe that a crystal has a particular energetic property to experience the physical warmth of the BioMat. At the same time, if energy work is meaningful to you, the crystal component may add another dimension to your experience.

3. Negative Ions

The BioMat also incorporates negative-ion technology.

You may have heard negative ions discussed in connection with waterfalls, oceans, or thunderstorms. There has been scientific interest in whether exposure to negative air ions affects mood and other aspects of well-being, but research has been mixed, and some of the broad wellness claims made about negative ions aren't firmly established.

For that reason, I don't view the negative-ion component as a cure or treatment.

It's simply one part of the technology built into the mat.

Is a BioMat the Same as Red Light Therapy?

No—and this is probably the most important distinction to make.

A BioMat is not a red light therapy device.

Both involve portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is why they frequently get grouped together online, but they use different technology.

Red light therapy, also called photobiomodulation, typically exposes tissue to specific wavelengths of red and/or near-infrared light using devices such as a red light therapy panel, pad, mask, or other light-emitting device. A red light device may use led lights or a low level laser, and some at-home options are FDA cleared.

A BioMat primarily uses far-infrared heat.

So, although you might see a red light therapy mat and a BioMat sitting next to each other in search results, they aren't interchangeable. If you plan to use red light therapy at home, consult a doctor before trying it.

Does Red Light Therapy Work?

This is another place where wellness marketing can get ahead of the science.

Research into photobiomodulation is much more substantial than you might assume from social-media wellness trends. A 2025 multidisciplinary consensus review concluded that photobiomodulation is generally considered safe for adults and found evidence supporting its use for several specific applications, including certain forms of peripheral neuropathy, wound care, and acute radiation dermatitis. (PubMed)

That does not mean every claim about the benefits of red light therapy has been proven; red light therapy may help with skin health, including reducing signs of aging and supporting acne healing in some skin conditions, but more research and ongoing research still matter.

The effectiveness depends on the wavelength, dose, device, treatment protocol, and condition being studied. It is generally safe and red light therapy safe for most people when used correctly, with few side effects. But high exposure can affect the skin, causing redness or blistering.

This is particularly important if you're searching for topics like red light therapy for neuropathy or inflammation. It may also reduce inflammation, and in dermatology it is sometimes paired with blue light for acne. Evidence for one clinical application shouldn't automatically be applied to every condition—or to an infrared BioMat. Unlike tanning booths or other UV exposure, it does not raise skin cancer risk in the same way.

What about red light therapy at home?

There are many home-use photobiomodulation devices available, from panels to handheld devices and pads. These often use LED lights, and some people using a red light device should wear protective goggles during treatment because protective goggles are recommended to reduce eye risk.

A systematic review specifically examining red light therapy at home found promising results for some applications but also substantial differences among devices, treatment protocols, and study quality, so device selection matters; several red light devices sold for at home use are FDA cleared, though results still vary. PubMed

So before-and-after photos or testimonials for one red light therapy device don't tell us whether another device will produce the same result. Red light therapy treatments are available both for home use and in professional settings such as a doctor's office or dermatologist's office, and they are generally considered low risk when used properly.

And again: if you're coming to High Vibrations Healing for a BioMat session, you are receiving far-infrared heat rather than conventional red-light photobiomodulation.

Is a BioMat the Same as an Infrared PEMF Mat?

No.

This is another common point of confusion because infrared PEMF mats can look very similar to a BioMat.

PEMF stands for pulsed electromagnetic field. A PEMF device uses changing electromagnetic fields, while the Professional BioMat Emily uses is built around far-infrared heat, negative ions, and its crystal layer. The manufacturer does not list PEMF as one of the Professional BioMat's core technologies. BioMat.com

So when you're comparing wellness mats, don't assume that infrared mat, PEMF mat, red light therapy mat, and BioMat are different names for the same thing.

They're not.

BioMat vs. Red Light Therapy vs. PEMF

That distinction is worth understanding because the phrase infrared therapy can refer to several very different technologies.

What Are the Potential Benefits of Using a BioMat?

This is where I prefer to keep things grounded.

You'll find long lists online claiming infrared mats can detoxify the body, eliminate inflammation, balance hormones, heal chronic illnesses, and dramatically change the nervous system.

I don't think we need those promises to make the BioMat worthwhile.

For me, its value is much simpler.

The warmth and supportive environment may help with muscle relaxation, temporary minor aches and discomfort, local circulation, and overall relaxation. Those are also among the intended uses described by the BioMat manufacturer. (BioMat.com)

And within a longer holistic session, that relaxation can be valuable.

How Can a BioMat Support the Nervous System?

When I talk about nervous system support, I am not suggesting that lying on a BioMat medically “resets” or heals your nervous system.

I mean something much more practical.

Imagine walking into a session after spending your day answering emails, caring for children, sitting in traffic, managing other people's needs, or simply carrying the constant mental load of everyday life.

Your jaw might be tight.

Your shoulders might be raised.

Your breathing might feel shallow.

You might intellectually know that you're safe and allowed to rest, while your body hasn't quite caught up.

Then you lie down somewhere quiet.

You're supported.

You're warm.

Nothing is immediately required of you.

For some people, those sensory cues can make it easier to settle into the session.

After more than 25 years working with trauma, I've learned that we don't always need to force relaxation. Sometimes we need to create conditions in which the body has an opportunity to experience it.

That is how I think about the BioMat.

Not as a magic nervous-system treatment, but as one more supportive tool within the environment we're creating together.

Why I Pair the BioMat With Other Healing Modalities

At High Vibrations Healing, the BioMat isn't intended to replace the work we're doing together.

It's designed to complement it.

I may incorporate the BioMat during sessions involving Reiki, somatic wellness, Transforming Touch, sound healing, or other forms of energy work when it feels appropriate for the individual.

The steady warmth can become part of the sensory environment while we focus on deeper awareness, connection, and regulation.

And because every person responds differently, it doesn't have to be part of your session.

Some people love warmth.

Some don't. Trauma-informed work should always leave room for your preferences.

What Does a BioMat Session Feel Like?

If you've never used one before, you don't need to prepare for anything complicated.

You lie comfortably on top of the mat while it provides steady, adjustable warmth beneath you.

The experience may remind you of lying on a heated massage table—but the BioMat spans much more of the body and incorporates its infrared and crystal technology throughout the mat.

Some clients may notice their muscles beginning to soften or simply feel more settled as they get comfortable.

And you don't have to reach a particular state for the session to “work.”

You can simply notice what you notice.

Can You Use a BioMat at Home?

Yes. BioMat sells both professional and smaller models for home use, and the Professional model can also be used on a bed or other suitable flat surface. (BioMat.com) Red light therapy is also available in dermatologists’ offices and other professional settings, so people may be receiving treatment in clinics, spas, or wellness centers instead of relying only on at home use.

But purchasing an infrared mat for home and experiencing it during a practitioner-led session aren't necessarily the same thing. With red light therapy cost, sessions commonly range from $25 to $200 each, depending in part on the area being treated. Home devices often range from $50 to $500, and insurance typically does not cover these costs, so it can help to compare treatment options before deciding what fits.

At High Vibrations Healing, the BioMat is one component of a larger experience. Depending on your session, we may be integrating somatic awareness, Reiki, sound, touch-based work, or other approaches at the same time.

That is where I see the greatest value—not necessarily as another wellness gadget you need to add to your house, but as one tool we can thoughtfully incorporate into your care.

Can You Use Infrared or Red Light Therapy During Pregnancy?

This deserves its own answer because “red light therapy during pregnancy” is a common search, but it combines several different technologies.

Red light photobiomodulation, infrared heat, saunas, and heated BioMats are not interchangeable.

Pregnancy also changes how we think about heat exposure. Rather than assuming that a device is safe because it is marketed as natural or noninvasive, I recommend discussing infrared or light-based therapies with your prenatal healthcare provider before using them during pregnancy.

At High Vibrations Healing, please let me know if you're pregnant or think you may be pregnant before your session so we can determine what is appropriate for you.

Do You Need a BioMat to Experience Infrared Therapy?

Not necessarily.

Infrared technology comes in many forms, including infrared saunas, lamps, heating devices, and mats.

And if what you're actually interested in is red light therapy, you may be looking for an entirely different device, such as a red light therapy panel or photobiomodulation pad—for example, to address hair loss and support hair regrowth and hair thickness. That use is more often discussed as low level light therapy intended to stimulate hair follicles, help regrow hair, and encourage hair growth, rather than as a BioMat use.

The better question isn't necessarily:

Which wellness device has the longest list of benefits?

It's:

What experience am I looking for, and what tool actually provides it?

If you're looking for gentle warmth, an opportunity to slow down, and a way to enhance a holistic session, the BioMat may be a wonderful addition.

Experience the BioMat in Eden Prairie, MN

At High Vibrations Healing, I offer the Professional BioMat as an add-on to select sessions rather than treating it as a standalone solution.

It can be incorporated alongside Reiki, somatic wellness, Transforming Touch, sound healing, and other individualized practices to create a warm, grounding environment for your session.

If you're curious but aren't sure whether the BioMat would be a good fit, you don't need to figure that out before you arrive.

We can talk about what you're experiencing, what feels comfortable to your body, and what combination of modalities makes sense for you.

---

About the Author

Emily Benson is a holistic wellness practitioner with more than 25 years of experience in trauma-informed care. Through High Vibrations Healing, she integrates somatic practices, energy healing, sound, and touch-based modalities to help clients reconnect with their bodies and experience greater calm, connection, and balance.