[consultant]

I just did a a few hours of research on light therapy for SAD. First let me say, while I personally have no experience, the scientific studies seem to make sense but at the same time this seems to be one of those things that probably PART of the benefit is a placebo effect. But for now, let's assume it IS indeed effective as I've not started this tread to discuss the general effectiveness of light therapy in general.

The research seems to indicate that blue light therapy is just as effective as much brighter (and typically larger) white light therapy devices. (The Philips GoLite is one of these blue light therapy devices.)

There's no scientific studies done on this type of therapy as it pertains to the potential for increasing the risk of macular degeneration. However there are several websites (of course two of them are selling blue-GREEN light devices) that there is a risk. The jury is out for me as I've said there's no SCIENTIFIC evidence related to the latest blue light therapy devices. What this reminds me of is all the websites out there (usually names something like artificialsweetnerrisk.com) that claim the FDA are a bunch of idiots and the artificial sweetener in your soda is what's causing your serious health issues. (LMAO - I'm sure they also drive a Subaru, where clothes made out of hemp, eat organic, compost their food scraps and have goats in their backyard - which are all not bad ideas - just joking around to try to lighten up the conversation.)

So the way I look at it is Philips is a huge company with scientists and lots of resources and have been making light bulbs for a long long time. My argument would be do you really think Philips doesn't have competent scientists, experts on light, who have designed a product that contributes to macular degeneration? I highly doubt that.

My second question is, it seems also widely accepted that computer LED monitors emit blue-light and it's not good for you. To the point operating systems in computers and phones have a setting to automatically add an amber tint to your display at night.

So for someone with SAD, if you are looking at a computer monitor all day (without the amber tint turned on) are you in a way already getting your "blue light therapy" ?

[bluekoi]

Interesting topic. It's hard to get enough natural sunlight with the amount of rain we get. I've often wonder how effective these lights are.

Hey, I drive a Subaru!

Welcome to Psych Central!

[bpcyclist]

I've tried both blue and intense broad-band light and I've never gotten any benefit. I've found something else that seems quite silly but that works well for me. I won't belabor it here because it just seems so silly at first glance.

[SquarePegGuy]

I just posted in another thread on light therapy. I hope you check that thread out!