Why Do We Use Light Therapy?

By Author: Mike Zimmerman
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In the northern hemisphere, winters are generally cold, dark and long. People can be stuck indoors for long periods of time and emotions are often affected as a result. Through numerous studies, scientists discovered that the rate of depression seemed to increase in the winter months. Findings indicated that there appeared to be a direct correlation to the amount of natural light that people were exposed to and the number of cases of depression. This type of winter depression has been named Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD.

What Physiologically Causes Seasonal Affective Disorder?

SAD is widely believed to develop as a result of an imbalance in the body's natural circadian rhythms. The circadian rhythm in layman's terms is the body's natural clock that controls the timing and patterns of sleep, body temperature, the production of hormones and other bodily functions. A hormone that plays a big role in regulating circadian rhythms is called melatonin. Melatonin is inhibited by light and stimulated by darkness. Melatonin is also primarily responsible for inducing the sleep cycle by causing drowsiness and lowering ...
... the body's temperature. This is why in wintertime, when there is less daylight, people find themselves feeling more lethargic and sometimes depressed. The early onset of nightfall increases the production of melatonin and this has been linked as a possible cause for Seasonal Affective Disorder.

How is this Linked to Light Therapy?

Experiments with exposure to artificial light sources have provided some interesting results. As light inhibits the production of melatonin, some experiments with light therapy proved a degree of effectiveness in combating lethargy and depression. Light therapy has been in use since the mid 1980s, yet it was often viewed with skepticism from the medical fraternity. More recent studies have produced findings that light sources within a particular range of between 447 to 484 nanometers have the ability to suppress the production of melatonin and shift circadian rhythms. Known as "blue light," this light frequency is believed to be 10 times more effective than other light sources. These and other similar studies have provided substantiated evidence that light therapy can be used to effectively treat cases of SAD.

How Light Therapy Works

As a person is exposed to blue light, the nerve connecting the retina which receives the light waves, and the nerve that transmits this message to the Hypothalamus in the brain is activated. The Hypothalamus then sends a message to the Pineal gland that immediately suppresses the production of melatonin and simultaneously increases the production of the more active hormone, serotonin. Serotonin is the hormone that improves motivation and concentration. It helps you keep active, energetic and alert. In this way, light therapy machines, when properly used, can help reduce lethargy, depression and SAD.

Other Uses of Light Therapy

More advanced forms of light therapy are used in treating a wide variety of medical disorders. It has been known to reduce tremors in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease, and has proven effective in treating symptoms of Altzheimer's, chronic fatigue, and women's menstrual health. Various forms of laser therapy are used to treat skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis. Light therapy is also widely used in neonatal wards in hospitals for the treatment of jaundice in infants.

What You Need to Consider when Using Light Therapy

Some people have concerns regarding blue light and light therapy machines, questioning if they are safe to use. The broad consensus is that modern phototherapy lights used in treating SAD and sleep disorders filter out, or refrain from, emitting harmful ultraviolet light. As a result, they are considered safe for those applications. However, when starting out with light therapy, it is recommended that you do so under the supervision of a medically trained clinical professional. Two instances where you should first check with your doctor before using light therapy are if you have eye sensitivities and related conditions, and if you are on medication that increases your photosensitivity. You also need to keep in mind that light therapy is a mood-altering treatment, and can have adverse side effects, just like drugs do. If you are obtaining therapy under supervision, the clinical expert should be able to monitor and help you manage any side effects and adjust the therapy accordingly.

When considering light therapy, ensure that you are familiar with the types of light therapy machines available and their applications. If purchasing a machine for use in your home, ensure that you have the endorsement of a medical professional and consult with them before starting therapy treatments.
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