Red Light Therapy for SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

Table of Contents

• Introduction: Red Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder
• How Red Light Therapy Supports Mental Health in SAD
• Does Red Light Therapy Work for SAD? What Research Says
• Clinical Studies on Red Light Therapy for SAD Patients
• Choosing the Right Red Light Therapy Device for SAD Support
• Total Spectrum Devices: Tailored Red Light Therapy for Emotional Balance
• Best Practices for Using Red Light Therapy for SAD
• Conclusion: The Role of Red Light Therapy in Seasonal Affective Disorder Care
• FAQs: Addressing Common Questions

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is one of the forms of depression that arrives with the seasons, typically in fall and winter when sunlight is scarce. SAD hurts your mood, fatigues you, hinders concentration, and disturbs sleep. Individuals who suffer from SAD typically resort to the usual treatments, such as antidepressants and light therapy, but the therapies do not always fully cure the disease. They're not for everyone and can have undesirable side effects occasionally.

Red light therapy is not a pharmaceutical or safe treatment, but it can improve mood, reduce stress, improve depression, and improve mental health during the dark winter months.  It enhances healthy cell activity, improves circulation, and balances the natural hormones that affect sleep and mood, such as melatonin and serotonin, by utilizing specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light.

Here, we will discuss how red light therapy for SAD works, what the science is telling us about its effectiveness, and how to use it safely at home so that you can feel more energized and emotionally even during the long winter months.

Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder: Causes and Symptoms

SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, is a depression that occurs during particular seasons of the year. It usually begins during the fall and continues through the winter months. During these months, cloudiness and shorter days result in less sunlight exposure, which can disrupt the body's inner clock and change mood, energy levels, and sleep patterns.

The underlying cause of SAD is not known, but it is believed to be caused by imbalances in hormones, such as changes in serotonin and melatonin. Genetics, age, and where one resides might also contribute, making certain individuals more susceptible to seasonal change in mood.

Symptoms of SAD are usually long-term low mood, tiredness, trouble concentrating, irritability, and disruption of sleep or appetite. Other individuals may become depressed or refuse to speak to others.

Challenges with Traditional SAD Treatments

Unfortunately, standard treatments for SAD may not be very effective. If you are already depressed and feeling low, attempting these treatments to improve might actually cause more frustration and disappointment. The standard treatments are antidepressant drugs, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and bright light therapy. These treatments may work, but have some drawbacks. Antidepressants are drugs that take weeks to produce effects and can produce side effects like nausea, weight gain, or insomnia. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a viable option, but you have to go for regular sessions under the guidance of a professional, and it can be expensive and time-consuming. Bright light therapy, while effective for most, can lead to eye strain, headaches, or be unsuitable for those with some eye diseases.

These treatments, however, are not always complete in their alleviation of symptoms, and some patients might continue to have symptoms even after adhering to conventional therapies.

The Science Behind Red Light Therapy for Mood Regulation

Red light therapy is one type of photobiomodulation wherein low-level red and near-infrared light is used. These rays penetrate deeply into the skin and stimulate the healing processes within the body. Red light therapy was previously believed to be effective only against skin and certain bodily conditions, but newer research suggests that it can also be beneficial for mental health and naturally boost mood.

Red light therapy stimulates the function of mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles in the cell, so that they radiate more energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP, the energy currency of cells, aids in making multiple cellular activities possible and allows cells to repair and regenerate faster. Red light therapy thus helps recover damaged neurons and nerves and promotes proper transmission of nerve impulses.

Furthermore, red light therapy enhances circulation, delivering increased amounts of oxygen and nutrients to cells, thereby accelerating the healing process. In SAD patients, it ensures healthy nervous system function and supports the release of hormones for mood improvement and sleep. Red light therapy increases serotonin and dopamine levels, two neurotransmitters that naturally lift moods and induce feelings of pleasure. It also regulates the body's circadian rhythms by simulating sunlight, waking you up and energizing you during the day, and inducing nighttime sleep. It enhances the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, when used at night. 

Overall, red light therapy assists with the tired, sad, and low-energy symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Red light therapy is yielding encouraging results in improving mood and alleviating symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Research indicates that the treatment improves how well your brain functions, increases blood circulation, and regulates essential hormones such as serotonin, dopamine, and melatonin, which naturally improve your mood and cause you to sleep better.

Study 1: Transcranial Photobiomodulation (t-PBM) Procedure for Depression.

Objective

This research sought to determine whether shining near-infrared (NIR) light on the brain—a treatment known as transcranial photobiomodulation (t-PBM)—will make individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) feel better. The researchers hoped to evaluate whether this light therapy would help elevate mood and decrease depressive symptoms in a safe manner.

Results

The research demonstrated that t-PBM was effective in its antidepressant effect. The participants indicated significant improvements in their scores for depression, with medium to large effects depending on the analysis of the data. The therapy was also well tolerated, and no serious side effects were observed, indicating the treatment is safe.

Conclusion

Near-infrared light treatment of the brain can potentially be a safe and effective method for alleviating depression symptoms. Although the findings are promising, the trial had limited participants, so more extensive studies are necessary to ensure its efficacy and to learn more about how it operates.

Study 2: Effects of Red Light on Sleep and Mood in Insomnia.

Objective

The investigation focused on observing the effects of red light exposure at night on sleep and mood in individuals with insomnia disorder (ID) and controls. The researchers were interested in learning how alterations in mood could impact sleep.

Results

Red light exposure enhanced alertness and, in a few instances, negative affect and anxiety among healthy participants as well as insomnia sufferers. Red light decreased the time to fall asleep among healthy participants but decreased total sleep quality. Among insomnia sufferers, red light improved some areas of sleep, such as improving total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and REM cycles, but also increased alertness and negative affect. Some of the alterations in sleep were caused by the rise in adverse emotions resulting from red light.

Conclusion

Red light at night can have mood and alerting effects, with consequent direct or indirect effects on sleep. Although it can enhance some measures of sleep in insomniacs, it may increase negative mood, and its use must be carefully controlled.

Note

These clinical trials do not directly prove the effectiveness of red light therapy for SAD, but they show that it can effectively improve mood and reduce depression by stimulating the production of dopamine and serotonin, and also enhance sleep quality by promoting melatonin production.

Key Features to Look for in an Effective Device

You need to spend money on a high-quality red light therapy device if you want to employ red light therapy to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder at home. A high-quality device is one that has all the functions that you need and can be safely and effectively used in the home environment. To buy a good device, seek out these features:

1. Specific Wavelength

Your device should emit red light at about 610, 630, 633, 655, 660, and 670 nm, and near-infrared at about 810, 830, 850, 980, and 1064 nm because these wavelengths can trigger the release of serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine, as well as boost energy production and blood flow in order to promote a healthy brain and good mood.

2. Sufficient Power Irradiance

Your device must radiate sufficient power irradiance, allowing the light to penetrate deep into tissues without stopping or losing energy.

3. Cooling System

Your device must have an automatic cooling system, which prevents your device from heating and protects you from the side effects caused by overheating.

4. FDA Clearance

Your device must be FDA-approved, as such devices have already passed safety and efficacy testing. Do not purchase a device that does not have a safety certificate.

5. Adjustable Intensity

Your device must also be adjustable in intensity, allowing you to decide on the light according to your needs and comfort.

6. Portability

Your device has to be portable and light in weight so you can carry it wherever you wish and not miss any of your sessions.

Overview of the Total Spectrum Series for Mood Enhancement

It is a difficult task to go and look for a good red light therapy machine on the market since there are many vendors who can try to deceive you with misleading information. Fortunately, RLT Home offers various red light therapy machines of high quality and proper construction at very low prices. These devices emit the correct spectrum of red and near-infrared light, which travels very deep into the tissues and helps to improve mood and sleep in individuals suffering from SAD. The devices are FDA-approved and further possess various safety and efficacy certifications, such as CE and RoHS.

RLT Home units are easy to use at home, and you can monitor your therapy sessions with ease. They come with adjustable intensity levels that suit your comfort levels. They are portable and light, and you can use them wherever you may be. RLT Home generally provides safe, effective, and reliable means for anyone to enjoy the benefits of red light therapy for seasonal affective disorder.

Finding the Right Dosage: Frequency, Session Length, and Distance

To get the best out of red light therapy for SAD, you have to use the right dosage, i.e., how often, how long at a time, and how close the device should be placed against your body. Everyone can achieve effective results with red light therapy daily or once a week. Establishing a routine is the most crucial step toward improving your overall sense of well-being, sleep patterns, and mood.  Depending upon the strength of the device and your tolerance level, each session is for ten to twenty minutes. Begin with brief sessions and proceed accordingly, if needed.

The distance from you to the device also matters. Position the device at its optimal distance, typically 12 to 18 inches away from the body, to allow the light to pass with ease without any irritation. Having determined the right frequency, session duration, and distance, you ensure that you receive the best out of red light therapy, most safely and efficiently at home.

Why are More People Choosing Red Light Therapy for Mental Health?

More people are choosing red light therapy for mental health because this therapy stimulates the natural healing of nerves and neurons. Red light therapy increases energy production and enhances blood flow, which improves the function of neurons, the basic units of the nervous system. It also supports mental health by stimulating the production of serotonin and dopamine, two hormones that boost mood and create feelings of pleasure.

What are the Dangers of Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy is generally safe and does not cause side effects, but personal errors, such as overusing the therapy or placing the device too close, can sometimes cause mild effects like skin irritation or redness. However, these side effects usually subside quickly.

What is the best therapy light for SAD?

The best therapy light for SAD is a high-quality red and near-infrared light device that safely boosts mood, energy, and sleep. It should be easy to use at home with adjustable settings for comfort and effectiveness.

Is red light therapy effective for depression?

Yes, red light therapy is effective for depression because it stimulates the production of serotonin and dopamine and promotes healthy sleep by boosting melatonin production.

Is red light therapy effective for depression?

Yes, red light therapy can help with depression by naturally boosting mood through serotonin and dopamine. It also improves sleep by increasing melatonin levels.

References 

1. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) - Symptoms & causes.

2. Transcranial Photobiomodulation for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder. The ELATED-2 Pilot Trial.

3. Effects of red light on sleep and mood in healthy subjects and individuals with insomnia disorder.