Other options to SAD lights
That Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD can be effectively treated with bright lights, like those that are produced by using SAD light therapy boxes and dawn simulators, is well documented and widely accepted.
The general treatment is to have a patient suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder expose his/ her face to around 10,000 lux of bright light once in a while for about half an hour, preferably at the same times each day. Recent studies in this field indicate that it is the intensity of the light that matters more, not the appearance.
But it is also true that these bright light treatment sources are big, fragile, expensive and also consume a lot of electricity.
New research shows that in addition to intensity, the timing of the light exposure is important. It has been found that there is something about the circadian rhythm that is related to seasonal depression. It was later discovered that different wavelengths of light have different effects on the circadian rhythm in humans. Scientists came to know that only blue light suppresses the production of melatonin in the body, the suppression of which tells you it is morning and time to get up and get going. Thus, blue LEDs that emit ultraviolet light are perfect for the purpose of treating SAD.
The usefulness of a LED light therapy device in the treatment of SAD was tested in a recent trial. Some participants with SAD were exposed to a LED treatment device (from The Litebook Company Ltd., Canada) which delivered 1,350 lux light (with spectral emission peaks at 464 nm and 564 nm) at a distance of 20 inches or to an inactivated negative ion generator at a distance of 20 inches, for 30 minutes a day upon awakening, before 8 am. This Litebook treatment device uses LEDs, which research has shown to be more effective in treating SAD if used properly. Other participants in the trial were taken through standard/ placebo treatment. At the end of the trial, the proportion of participants who favorably responded to this new treatment were significantly greater, showing superiority of the LED treatment device.
Thus, all this research indicates that the human circadian rhythm system is differentially sensitive to light of short wavelength. Light treatment devices that use efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) whose output is comparatively concentrated in short wavelengths may actually enable a more effective therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder.