• About Light Therapy • About Winter Blues • About Circadian Rhythms • Research Information & Articles

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As with most medical discoveries, the science of light therapy is advancing rapidly. Technology is changing and our understanding of how and when to apply light is much better than it was even ten years ago. Products are becoming smaller and more portable, and at the same time more effective at delivering the specific type of light that will yield a quicker, stronger response.

The Benefits of Light Therapy

Since the beginning of time, people have realized the healing power of light. We feel rejuvenated when we're in sunshine, and we withdraw in the dark. In the early 1980's, researchers discovered that specialized bright light was an effective treatment for winter blues. Now tests are confirming that this light is effective for non-seasonal moods problems as well.

It turns out that light is more than psychological. Light actually produces hormones and neurotransmitters that affect our mood and well being. Dozens of clinical, placebo-controlled studies have been done using light therapy to improve mood. These studies confirm that light is not only as effective as other methods, but it causes no long-term side effects. Additionally, people responded within a week to light instead of several weeks with medications, whereas different medication trials were needed before an effective regimen was found.

Understanding Your Body Clock

Circadian Rhythms are our body's natural cycles that control appetite, energy, mood, sleep and libido. When our body is out of sync with nature, we suffer from a Circadian Rhythm problem. Almost all of us, at some time during a year fall out of balance and suffer from sleep, energy or mood problems.

Research and clinical testing proves that many sufferers can find relief from several common mood and sleep problems by correcting their circadian rhythms. The good news is that necessary corrections are minor lifestyle changes along with a simple, non-invasive therapy. A person who corrects their circadian rhythm is in a position to enjoy optimal health.

Cutting Edge Technology

Since 1987, Apollo has worked with the National Institute of Health and several universities to determine the most effective light for treating body clock problems affecting mood, energy, sleep/wake issues. The culmination of this research is two new technologies, BRITEWAVE® and BLUEWAVE®.

BRITEWAVE technology combines specific wavelengths, intensity and timing to produce a much quicker and stronger response than standard 10,000 lux, full-spectrum light.

Researchers have found unique photoreceptors in the eye called melanopsin. These melanopsin photoreceptors are responsible for mediating the circadian response, and they respond to blue light.

The specific bandwidth of light that is responsible for suppressing melatonin and shifting circadian rhythms encompasses light in the range of 446 - 477nm (nanometers) and peaks at 464nm. This narrow slice of light is in the safe upper end of the blue spectrum. Apollo's patented BLUEWAVE technology is the only method that delivers the effective intensity of this bandwidth of light.

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• About Light Therapy
• About Circadian Rhythms
• Research Information & Articles