Light Therapy

Light therapy equipment is available for you to reserve free of charge. You may check out the devices from Maag Library at the Library Services Desk, Main Floor.

For more information including use, benefits, functions, troubleshooting, and more, click the dropdown below.

  • Light Therapy

    Lightbox

    What is lightbox therapy?

    Light therapy is a way to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) (a type of depression that an estimated 6.8% of the U.S. population struggle with) and certain other conditions by exposure to artificial light.

    During light therapy, you sit or work near a device called a light therapy box. The box gives off bright light that mimics natural outdoor light.

    Light therapy is thought to affect brain chemicals linked to mood and sleep, easing SAD symptoms. Using a light therapy box may also help with other types of depression, sleep disorders, and other conditions. Light therapy is also known as bright light therapy or phototherapy.

    How can it be helpful to you?

    You may want to try light therapy for some of the following reasons:

    • Your doctor recommends it for seasonal affective disorder or another condition
    • You want to try treatment that is safe and has few side effects
    • You want to increase the effectiveness of antidepressant medication or mental health counseling
    • You need to avoid antidepressant medications during pregnancy or while breast feeding

    Conditions it is used for include:

    • Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
    • Types of depression that don’t occur seasonally
    • Jet lag
    • Sleep disorders
    • Adjusting to a nighttime work schedule
    • Dementia


    Precautions

    Students may want to check with their doctor or mental health professional before using the light therapy box if they have any of the following:

    • You have a condition that make your skin especially sensitive to light, such as systemic lupus erythematosus
    • You take medications that increase your sensitivity to sunlight, such as, certain antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or the herbal supplement St. John’s Wort
    • You have an eye condition that makes your eyes vulnerable to light damage or conditions including retina disease or diabetes.


    **Cautions for Bipolar Disorder

    Light therapy may trigger mania in some people with bipolar disorder, so get advice from your doctor before starting light therapy. If you have any concerns about how light therapy may be affecting your mood or thoughts, seek help right away.

    Side Effects

    Light therapy is generally safe. If side effects occur, they’re usually mild and short lasting. They may include:

    • Eyestrain
    • Headache
    • Nausea
    • Irritability or agitation
    • Mania, euphoria, hyperactivity, or agitation associated with Bipolar Disorder

    FAQ

    What is seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?

    • Significant changes in your mood and behavior whenever the seasons change. In most cases, symptoms start in the late fall or early winter and go away during the spring and summer.

    Are tanning beds an alternative to the light box?

    • No there is no proof that this works. The UV light released by tanning beds can damage your skin and greatly increase your risk of skin cancer

    Does the light box transmit UV light?

    • No, our light box is UV free LED- the built-in LED light panel delivers the full brightness with no pollution, no radiation, and no stroboscopic effects.

    How can I be most effective with the light box?

    • Sit or work near a light box
    • Light from the light box must enter your eyes indirectly
    • It requires time and consistency, stick to your therapy schedule and don’t overdo it

    How long should my sessions be?

    • 20-30 minutes a day

    What time of the day is the light box most effective?

    • For most people, light therapy is most effective when it’s done early in the morning, after you first wake up.


    Info found at Mayo Clinic Light Therapy webpage