How Does Light Therapy Help Depression?
Since the beginning of time, people have realized the healing power of light. We feel rejuvenated when we?re in sunshine, and we literally whither in the dark. In the early eighties, researchers discovered that specialized bright light (20 times brighter than normal indoor light), was the most effective treatment for winter depression. Now tests are confirming that this light is effective for non-seasonal depression as well. It turns out that light is more than psychological. Light actually produces hormones and neurotransmitters that affect our mood and well being. One of these hormones, serotonin, is thought to be a major factor in depression. One recent study that was reprinted in The Lancet, showed that bright light significantly increased serotonin levels, while dark or cloudy days caused serotonin to plummet. Dozens of clinical, placebo controlled studies have been done using light therapy to treat depression. These studies confirm that light is not only as effective as other met
