Light therapy
Light has been recognised for years for its numerous benefits such as healing, morale, energy, mood and immunity. It plays an essential role in the proper functioning of our organism, in particular on vision and biological functions. Indeed, light plays a role in regulating the biological rhythm. It enters the body through the eyes via the retina, which then transmits a signal to the brain, more precisely to the hypothalamus. This part of the brain will control the secretion of hormones that manage and regulate the alternation of day and night. This rhythm of approximately 24 hours, called "circadian" (see article), is managed by the internal biological clock. If we receive enough light, this clock is less likely to be disturbed. This is why reduced light levels can disrupt our internal biological clock and cause stress, sleep disturbances or a drop in vitality. There is a solution to this lack of light: light therapy.
But what is light therapy?
Light therapy is also called phototherapy and is considered to be an alternative medicine. It consists of exposing the body every day, preferably in the morning, for 30 minutes, to a light therapy lamp which diffuses a light of 2500 lux.
This artificial white light is called “broad spectrum”. It imitates sunlight in order to treat problems caused by a lack of light, such as disorders associated with disturbances of the internal biological clock. This light therapy can be carried out either by professionals or at home with the help of devices intended for the general public.
Light therapy can compensate for the lack of light and restore vitality and morale. This alternative medicine, which acts directly on the endocrine system, aims to regulate the levels of certain hormones. It blocks melatonin, a hormone that triggers sleep, which is secreted abnormally during the day due to lack of exposure to light. It then increases the level of dopamine and serotonin, an “anti-stress” energy hormone.
The balance between waking and sleeping is thus restored.
What are the benefits of light therapy?
Exposing the body to artificial light on a daily basis has many benefits for the body.
In fact, light therapy can help to
- Prevent or combat seasonal depression: this syndrome appears in October or November (i.e. in autumn and winter) when the outside light decreases. SAD disappears spontaneously in spring. It is manifested by severe fatigue, increased appetite, depressed mood, an exaggerated need for sleep and has an adverse effect on the biological clock. In this case, light therapy will help relieve the symptoms of SAD or the winter blues.
- Be in a good mood: light therapy blocks melatonin, the sleep hormone, and produces serotonin, the happiness hormone.
- Get quality sleep: light therapy may make it easier to sleep. Exposure to artificial light allows the biological clock to be regulated correctly and to regain a clear rhythm. This results in quality sleep. During the day, the daytime hormones are stimulated. At nightfall, the night-time hormones take over and are activated. This creates a healthy fatigue and puts the person into a deep sleep. In short, this therapy combats all sleep disorders such as insomnia, drowsiness during the day, falling asleep late or waking up early in the morning.
- Combating jet lag: prolonged wakefulness and jet lag disrupt the body’s rhythm. In this situation, light therapy allows the internal biological clock to return to a normal rhythm. Exposure to white light allows the body to last until the evening. Once the light decreases at the end of the day, the body triggers the production of sleep hormones.
- Treating depression: Studies have shown that light therapy is also effective against “classic” depression. To draw this conclusion, they studied a control group of 122 patients with depression. This group was divided into 4 subgroups: the first was treated with medication only, the second with a 2500 lux light therapy lamp only, the third with medication and light therapy, and the last with placebos only. After 8 weeks, the volunteers in the third group made the most progress. They had received 30 minutes of light therapy per day, in addition to the standard drug treatment.
- Have beautiful skin: thanks to light therapy, each hormone is secreted at the right time of day. This phenomenon regulates the body’s rhythm, and therefore allows you to regain energy, sleep better and look good. Light therapy also prevents wrinkles, treats inflammatory acne and relieves psoriasis.