The daily, circadian rhythms of all living things depend on light, of course. What we’re starting to realize, however, is how much our overall wellness relies on light, too…
Physicians and scientists have known for years that lack of light is the principal cause of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), known as the “winter blues”. More recent work shows that many types of depression can be successfully treated with light therapy, also called photobiomodulation (a mouthful, to be sure!) That’s not all, though: scientific research supports numerous benefits of targeted light therapy. It promotes healing after surgery, speeds recovery after strenuous exercise, controls appetite (and diabetes symptoms), aids concentration, kills harmful bacteria and fungi, and improves our skin’s health and appearance. Let there be light! Visit our website! Or check out this video for more information on Breathe Green’s light therapy solutions.
Anders, J. J., Arany, P. R., Baxter, G. D., & Lanzafame, R. J. (2019). Light-Emitting Diode Therapy and Low-Level Light Therapy Are Photobiomodulation Therapy. Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery, 37(2), 63–65. https://doi.org/10.1089/photob.2018.4600
Dahl, M. (2020, March 2). What I Learned about Being a Plant: The Actually Convincing Science of Light Therapy. New York Magazine, 53(5), S64+. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tsw0ZgYkcqVfqb2HLq4WRp0lmIXadDdQ/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=112634166722531276543&rtpof=true&sd=true
Levitan, R. D., Levitt, A. J., Michalak, E. E., Morehouse, R., Ramasubbu, R., Yatham, L. N., Tam, E. M., & Lam, R. W. (2018). Appetitive Symptoms Differentially Predict Treatment Response to Fluoxetine, Light, and Placebo in Nonseasonal Major Depression. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 79(4): e1-e6. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.17m11856
Minnesota Department of Health (2001). Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Swedish Council on Health Technology Assessment (2007). Light Therapy for Depression, and other Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder : A Systematic Review.
Wirz-Justice, A., Bader, A., Frisch, U., Stieglitz, R. D., Alder, J., Bitzer, J., Hösli, I., Jazbec, S., Benedetti, F., Terman, M., Wisner, K. L., & Riecher-Rössler, A. (2011). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of light therapy for antepartum depression. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 72(7): 986-93. doi: 10.4088/JCP.10m06188blu.
