We’ve gone past using only traditional medicine. Now, we’re exploring methods like light therapy as a treatment for various conditions.
This non-invasive treatment is fast gaining traction because of its potential. It can be used to treat conditions from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) to even skin conditions like acne.
The question now is “How exactly does light therapy work?”
In this post, we’ll discuss how this therapy works. As a plus, we’ll also look at the different ways you can use light as therapy.
But first…
What is Light Therapy?
Light therapy, also called bright light therapy or phototherapy, involves exposure to artificial light sources that mimic natural sunlight.
Additionally, the principle behind this therapy is that certain wavelengths of light can have therapeutic effects on your mind and body.
The primary source of light in this kind of therapy is usually a lamp or light box. It emits specific wavelengths of light that typically fall within the blue-to-red spectrum.
Applications of Light Therapy
Light therapy has numerous applications — one of the popular ones being the treatment of seasonal affective disorder. This is a type of depression that only happens at a specific time of year.
When you expose someone to bright light, especially in the morning, light helps regulate their melatonin production and circadian rhythms. This can help improve their mood and alleviate symptoms of depression.
This therapy also works in dermatology. It can be used as an effective treatment for conditions like acne vulgaris.
Specifically, blue light therapy targets the bacteria that contribute to acne. On the other hand, red light therapy helps with healing and reducing inflammation.
When you combine these wavelengths, you can use this therapy to help clear up acne and improve your skin texture without using medications or harsh chemicals.
In addition to skin conditions and mood disorders, you can use light therapy to treat sleep disorders like circadian rhythm disorders and insomnia.
Exposing someone to light at specific times of the day like morning or evening can help regulate their sleep-wake cycle and help with relaxation and melatonin production. This helps reset your body’s internal clock and improve your overall sleep quality.
How Does Light Therapy Work?
True; light therapy can be applied in various ways. But how exactly does it produce these therapeutic effects? You’ll find the answer in the impact light has on biological processes within our bodies.
Light is excellent at regulating circadian rhythms. These are internal clocks that control our hormone production, sleep-wake cycle, and other physiological processes.
So, getting exposed to light, especially in the blue spectrum, sends signals to the brain that it’s time to wake up and be alert. On the other hand, when you get exposed to dim or red-tinted light in the evening, it sends signals to the brain that it’s to rest and prepare for sleep.
Beyond that, it also has an impact on the production of neurotransmitters and hormones that are crucial to mood regulation.
For instance, exposure to bright light stimulates the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of happiness and well-being. Also, light can suppress melatonin production, a hormone that regulates sleep.
In Conclusion
Light therapy provides you with a non-invasive and potentially effective treatment for a variety of conditions. It can help with sleep or mood disorders, and even conditions.
In addition, the therapeutic power of specific wavelengths makes this therapy a great option for regulating circadian rhythms, promoting healing, and improving your overall well-being.
More research is still needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying the effects of this kind of therapy. However, it’s still a great choice as a natural alternative if you’re looking for a way to treat a range of health issues.
