New
Research Sheds Light on IncreasedEnergy & Better Moods
with Light Therapy
DARTMOUTH,
N.S. - Josh Craig* sits
in his room, eyes facing the bright glow of the Day-Lights
lightbox for fifteen minutes before school
as he munches Honey Nut Cheerios and scans the red ink remarks
scrawled across his Biology assignment: “A+ Excellent Work!”
Cocking his head, he tries to recall the last time he received
the D’s or F’s that used to be so common. “Several years,”
he notes, smiling. “Before the lightbox helped get my body
and mind going in the right direction.” Since he began light
therapy six years ago, benefits such as increased energy,
a good attitude, and a place on the Honor Roll have become
the norm for Josh and thousands who have seen dramatic benefits
from the new science of light therapy.
Recent
findings prove light therapy can raise energy, lift spirits,
and aid students like Josh ,
who suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or those
suffering from its milder counterpart, Winter Blues. Light
therapy also aids many suffering from a wide array of conditions
such as bulimia, pre-menstrual syndrome, postpartum depression,
Alzheimer’s disease where patients are in a light-restricted
environment, and even adolescent sleep conditions that keep
teens up at night and inhibit their abilities to rise in
the morning.
Dr.
Norman Rosenthal, of the National Institute of Mental Health,
pioneer in light therapy, and author of the book Winter
Blues , is the leading expert in the field of light
therapy, and estimates as many as ONE in FIVE Americans
may be helped by this effective treatment.
Lack
of light often causes lethargy, poor energy and focus, and
feelings of sadness or “the blues.” Other
symptoms may include carbohydrate craving, oversleeping,
weight gain, reduced energy, withdrawal from friends and
family, sadness and anxiety, and difficulty concentrating
and getting tasks accomplished. At its worst, this can result
in loss of jobs, relationships and, at times, even suicide
from despair. “It’s a shame so many people suffer when you
consider how treatable the illness is,” says Rosenthal.
One
way to combat these conditions is with light therapy
using safe, effective lightboxes such as the Day-Light 10,000
FX or the Day-Light 10,000 Classic. Lightboxes use fluorescent
bulbs in a metal box behind a plastic diffusing screen,
which spreads the light out and filters potentially harmful
ultraviolet rays. This powerful light of 10,000 LUX safely
enters the eyes, where it prompts beneficial hormonal changes
such as an increase in seratonin, with minimal or no side
effects.
Used
properly, lightbox therapy is as safe as taking a refreshing
twenty-minute walk on a sunny spring morning. Studies
show that 60 to 80% of those who used lightboxes for twenty
to thirty minutes a day enjoyed significant improvement,
often within four to five days, with substantial improvement
in two weeks. Reading, eating, or other stationary
activities
during light therapy is fine, and sessions may drop to as
little as fifteen minutes as progress is achieved.
“We’ve
learned that the light really works, it’s not a placebo---
that’s been absolutely nailed down in research findings,”
Rosenthal said. “We’ve learned that seratonin is involved.
There’s an association between seratonin genes and SAD in
some people.
One
of the biggest discoveries,” says Rosenthal with infectious
excitement, “is that most people view artificial light as
regular sunlight. However, in those individuals with SAD
or its milder counterpart, Winter Blues, the brain doesn’t
easily recognize artificial light and necessary hormonal
changes don’t occur that would typically occur daily when
the body is exposed to sunlight.” Just as some animals are
affected by seasonal changes, people with SAD or Winter
Blues are affected by seasons and the lack of recognizable
light. “Though we use artificial light at night and during
the winter, in some people it’s as though the eye or brain
doesn’t register it. That’s a big discovery!”
Lack
of recognizable light causes melatonin signals to be processed
differently, inhibiting a healthful hormonal balance. Negative
effects often occur during the winter, in very northern
climates where natural light is at a minimum and in those
who work nights and sleep days. These startling findings
offer hope to millions who now suffer.
Suzanne
Craig* says her son, Josh, experienced depression during
the winter and originally received a prescription for anti-depressants.
Thankfully, doctors finally diagnosed Josh with SAD and
he began light therapy . “Josh has used the light
for six years and has been on the honor roll or dean’s list
for six years straight. I know for a fact that without the
light, Josh wouldn’t have stayed in school.”
Dr.
Rosenthal says more than 3% of children and adolescents
may be affected--- more than one million children. While
women in their late thirties are most susceptible, it may
start in women and men of all ages, and may be hereditary
in some individuals. “The basic statistics are that 5 to
6 % of the US population has full-blown Seasonal Affective
Disorder and another 14 to 15% has Winter Blues. This means
one in five Americans suffer to some degree---
ranging from complete disability, to mild lack
of energy and productivity, to simply feeling down.
Dr.
Rosenthal, who has SAD himself, also recently discovered
“more light is better.” Rosenthal had a houseguest
who experienced SAD, so he set up two lightboxes in the
study: one for himself and one for his guest. When
the guest departed, Rosenthal left the second lightbox out
and decided to turn both on for his therapy session, with
light shining from two different directions. He said
the positive effects from light simultaneously entering
the retina from two different angles during the same period
of time were significant.
Dr.
Raymond Lam, Medical Director for the Mood Disorders Program
at the University of British Columbia Hospital,
recently used Uplift-Technologies lightboxes for a 3-year,
200-person controlled study. “We learned how strongly
light directly affects the neuro-transmitters of the brain.
This was an interesting finding that was a little unexpected.”
Dr. Lam recommends 10,000 LUX lights, such as the Uplift
Day-Light 10,000 Classic.
“We’ve
used Day-Lights for a number of years. It’s nice to have
the fixed stand on the Uplift Day-Light 10,000 Classic so
patients are in the right position. The amount of light
that gets in through the eyes really depends on proper intensity
and positioning of the light source, typically twelve to
fifteen inches away. With Day-Lights it’s fairly
easy, and we get the best technology, quality, and safety
standards.” Day-Lights also offers the FX Task
Light with a swivel head and adjustable arm that easily
transforms a therapy light into a multi-task light that
can used as a desk lamp. Day-Lights are UV filtered, safe,
flicker free, glare free, easy on the eyes and have a 5-year
guarantee.
What
about other forms of light? Doctors say that unless you’re
sitting with your cheek pressed to a windowpane, you’re
not getting any of the benefits of outdoor light. Tanning
beds are off limits due to the potential danger for skin
cancer, the damaging UV rays that make safety goggles mandatory,
and improper light intensity and angle. Though experts recommend
exercise, staying active, and striving for a good nutritional
diet, proper light therapy is the number one most
effective treatment for SAD and Winter Blues.
To
learn more about the benefits of light therapy or Day-Lights
, visit our website at
www.day-lights.com
or call TOLL-FREE: 1-800-387-0896. To
contact Dr. Rosenthal or order his book, Winter Blues
, visit the website at <normanrosenthal.com>
.
*
Actual name changed to protect identity.
*Photos available
upon request.
