Depression Lights

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ReenieHJ
ReenieHJ Posts: 9,724 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Yay or nay?
I've heard quite a few people get seasonal boosts from using these twice a day, 20 min. each. My dd suffers from depression and anxiety and I'd love to send her one if I knew it'd help. My sister and BIL now use a 10K Lux Light and she's noticed a difference with both of them.
If you could share your experiences, that'd be very helpful. My PCP has also recommended 1 for me in the past.

Replies

  • debrakgoogins
    debrakgoogins Posts: 2,034 Member
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    I have a friend who uses one. She swears it helps her.
  • steveko89
    steveko89 Posts: 2,217 Member
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    I noticed a difference after I put a bunch of LED lights up in my workout area in the basement. They weren't installed with that purpose in mind but the unintended consequence is certainly welcome. Makes working out on cold winter mornings more desirable.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
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    I used a "sunlight" bulb in a reef aquarium and noticed the difference in brightness and used these bulbs in the basement more for aesthetics than anything.

    I don't believe I've ever experienced any other effects, but there is likely a strong placebo effect which stimulates a positive feedback loop.
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,483 Member
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    My SO had a mild bout of SAD about 5yr ago (we didn’t know it was that at the time)

    His doc recommended trying a sun lamp and vitD for a few weeks before exploring other options.

    He got a peaked hat (like a baseball cap without the crown) that had the lights on the peak. He just popped that on his head for 20-30min in the morning while he was having breakfast etc.

    That, and the vitD, perked him up no end, no further treatment was needed.

    He still uses his hat light, and I got myself a table lamp that I use once the time changes, just in case.
    We both take vitD during this time too.

    I live in Canada so it can be a dark, wet winter most years

    To be honest I don’t know how the lights would work for someone with anything more than mild symptoms, but I don’t think there would be any harm in trying one out.

    Cheers, h.
  • aokoye
    aokoye Posts: 3,495 Member
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    Does your daughter have SAD (alone or on top of her existing depression)? If so then it might make a difference. If not then I don't know why it would outside of a maybe placebo effect.
  • ReenieHJ
    ReenieHJ Posts: 9,724 Member
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    aokoye wrote: »
    Does your daughter have SAD (alone or on top of her existing depression)? If so then it might make a difference. If not then I don't know why it would outside of a maybe placebo effect.

    I'm not sure if she experiences SAD along with her normal depression/anxiety. She takes meds. and sees a therapist; has good days, terrible days and everywhere in between. She also lives in the state of Washington which I'm not sure makes a difference or not as to the seasonal aspect. So you don't think it would do much more than a placebo affect?
    Just wish there was a way to help her more. I have dealt with depression and anxiety for the past 25+ years but I don't feel mine is or ever was as severe as hers. My sister, brother and mom have also shone signs so it must be a genetic thing as well. :(
    Thanks, all, for your input.
  • MikePfirrman
    MikePfirrman Posts: 3,307 Member
    edited December 2019
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    Made a huge difference for me in Ohio. Now that I'm in AZ, I get the natural stuff. You can buy full spectrum light bulbs now, though, that help. It's a much cheaper option for some. Just a 20 buck lightbulb in a standard lamp and sit next to it in the AM only. Keeps you up if used at night. I've read a ton about bluelight and how the retina also influences sex hormones and melatonin. I'm a strong believer in light therapy. Narrow band UVB light also helps diversify your Microbiome (helping your immune system). If you're going the lightbulb route, I think you want a CRI rating over 93.

    It's been long believed that sex hormones influence sight as we age, but lately there's been some indications the the retina actually not only has hormone receptors but also produces hormones. Daylight at the right time, in the AM, is an important piece of that to maintain Circadian Rhythms. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/272/5260/news-summaries.full.pdf

    I never ever use computers at night without Bluelight filters for this reason.
  • vanityy99
    vanityy99 Posts: 2,583 Member
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    Do these work for those who live in a grey *kitten*, ugly *kitten*, cold *kitten*, wet *kitten*, wintery *kitten* country?
  • aokoye
    aokoye Posts: 3,495 Member
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    ReenieHJ wrote: »
    aokoye wrote: »
    Does your daughter have SAD (alone or on top of her existing depression)? If so then it might make a difference. If not then I don't know why it would outside of a maybe placebo effect.

    I'm not sure if she experiences SAD along with her normal depression/anxiety. She takes meds. and sees a therapist; has good days, terrible days and everywhere in between. She also lives in the state of Washington which I'm not sure makes a difference or not as to the seasonal aspect. So you don't think it would do much more than a placebo affect?
    Just wish there was a way to help her more. I have dealt with depression and anxiety for the past 25+ years but I don't feel mine is or ever was as severe as hers. My sister, brother and mom have also shone signs so it must be a genetic thing as well. :(
    Thanks, all, for your input.

    I live in Oregon so I get the cloud cover for a good chunk of the year. I also have major depression and have for the majority of my life. What I don't have is SAD. I personally don't find those lights useful, but I'm also not the clinical market.
  • girlwithcurls2
    girlwithcurls2 Posts: 2,263 Member
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    My husband used one (doc prescribed) years ago when we lived in Alaska. He had tried medication and didn't like the side effects. The light was awesome. I have no idea how big they are now, or what they cost, but the one he had was around $350 and huge. It sat on a table and he just had to read the paper for 20 min every morning near it. I'd come home from the gym and it was as if we were living on the sun. Now we're in OR and he wishes he had it back. I grew up here, so it's kinda my normal...
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
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    vanityy99 wrote: »
    Do these work for those who live in a grey *kitten*, ugly *kitten*, cold *kitten*, wet *kitten*, wintery *kitten* country?

    No. There is no hope for us :'(
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
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    sardelsa wrote: »
    vanityy99 wrote: »
    Do these work for those who live in a grey *kitten*, ugly *kitten*, cold *kitten*, wet *kitten*, wintery *kitten* country?

    No. There is no hope for us :'(

    Depending on the brand sunlight lamp bulbs visibly brighten up spaces

    2juvvx99uzuv.png

    Like many things there isn't much to quantify, but there's a reason behind design and why rooms with more windows & skylights brighten moods.
  • madis0nliz
    madis0nliz Posts: 36 Member
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    Vitamin D boosts mood. So winter/drearier areas means less sunlight, less vitamin D, lower mood, and therefore seasonal depression or SAD. I have very, very bad SAD. I get it every winter in the North. I take 5,000 IU of Vitamin D3 and am starting light therapy. It's a not a placebo effect. It's been highly recommended by the mental health specialist I see, counselor, and school counselor. Most of our vitamin D absorption happens through the skin, so while supplements can help, vitamin D lights/"sunlight spectrum" lights/depression lights/whatever you wanna call them help a LOT.
  • Joanna2012B
    Joanna2012B Posts: 1,448 Member
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    I live in Canada and see little sunlight during the winter Months as I work in an office with no windows. I have a Light Therapy Energy lamp and I don't find it helps at all. It just provides more light at my desk.
  • The_Enginerd
    The_Enginerd Posts: 3,982 Member
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    madis0nliz wrote: »
    Most of our vitamin D absorption happens through the skin, so while supplements can help, vitamin D lights/"sunlight spectrum" lights/depression lights/whatever you wanna call them help a LOT.
    Vitamin D is produced from a type of cholesterol via UV exposure. Lights that mimic the solar spectrum in the visible range aren't designed for UV production to my knowledge, nor would you really want them to. The light boxes for SAD are designed to minimize UV light production.

    Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/in-depth/seasonal-affective-disorder-treatment/art-20048298
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,922 Member
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    When I mentioned my "winter blues" to my psychiatrist he put in an order for a light for me. (I'm with the VA.) I haven't received it yet. Will keep you posted.
  • Lillymoo01
    Lillymoo01 Posts: 2,865 Member
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    Research suggests that they can have a positive impact on depression, especially SAD. In warmer months, spending time outside early in the morning will be more beneficial, especially if combined with exercise. As it is inexpensive and won't do any harm I'd say it is certainly worth a try. Even if it is just a placebo effect (which I doubt), it is better than nothing.

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