The healing power of light therapy.

Page Content	Page Content in light section
Introduction to light therapy	What is dawn simulation?
Fueled by the light	Keeping in tune with the circadian rhythm
What is light-therapy?	Seasonal affective disorder
Light stimulates brain nerve centers	neonatal jaundice
Bright light treatment	Blue light acne treatment
	Light box therapy for psoriasis
	Bright light-therapy for bipolar disorder

Introduction

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Light therapy can be a attractive solution for many. The coming of the winter can be a difficult time.

Personally speaking it takes me a little while to get used the fact that it gets darker earlier. Especially if the summer has not been that great weather wise.

The role of light in our lives and how it contributes to our well being is very much underestimated today in our society in my humble opinion. We need and must have light... without it...we cannot function.

Fueled by the light

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Most of the existence of life on our planet is fueled by light.

Plants use sunlight in order to turn air into sugar this process is known as photosynthesis. By using these sugars it allows them to grow.

Animals use sunlight indirectly by eating plants and directly by eating animals. Sugars and molecular components that the plants produce are broken down and stored solar energy released. It gives the animal energy to survive. The process is called respiration.

Lack of sunlight can lead to a lack of vitamin D. This in turn can lead to rickets and other illnesses.

What is light therapy

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phototherapy is treatment consisting of exposure to exact wavelengths of light using

LEDs
Dichroic lamps
Lasers
Fluorescent lamps
Full spectrum light

Research shows bright light can change brain chemistry.

Light stimulates brain nerve centers

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The amount of light we receive through our eyes stimulates our brain nerve centers.

A substance known as melatonin is produced by our pineal gland. Melatonin tells our body clock that its night.

For more info about melatonin, see the melatonin hormone

On dark winter days there is sufficient light to activate the wake up process.

Light is linked to 5HT (also known as serotonin.) This is a neurotransmitter in our brain.
Low levels in serotonin may cause depression
Bright light increases serotonin levels, it is interesting to note that prozac has the same affect.

Bright light treatment

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Research has shown in the US and abroad that light therapy treatment has been successful in treating Seasonal affective disorder patients.

Improvement usually takes about a week sometimes sooner. Now for the downside, symptoms return quickly, usually about a week if the lights are withdrawn.

So to me it makes sense to stick with the treatment.

A brightly-lit climate will relieve symptoms, if that is not possible then a bright light can be used.

The light should be on the same level of brightness, as a clear spring morning. Thirty minutes a day can be enough to relieve the symptoms.

It is not necessary to stare into the light. It is just necessary for the light to reach the eyes.

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