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(More customer reviews)I have had SAD all my life (I am 55). in 1996 I discovered that I had it and was laughed at because so little information was out there at the time. We had always thought SAD meant being depressed because of the holidays and lost childhood things. I bought a 2,500 lux light which had UVs and had to be so close to get any benefit that I would frequently have a grid pattern on my face. In 1998 I bought 3 Satelite SAD lights and they helped quite a bit, but they only eased my symptoms. Of course that was better than what I had had. I would use them for up to 3 hours a day! In 2005 the bulbs became in-effective so I was looking to replace them.
I found the blue light information on the web and became curious. I found a local Minneapolis dealer for the light (sorry Amazon, should-a checked here first!) and bought it in part because of the 30-day guarantee. If it didn't help, if it was like the "visor", I could take it back and still get the replacement bulbs.
In 2 days I knew that this was nothing like the lights. This thing works!! I was alert at work. I used the lights for 30 minutes in the darkness (for contrast) and I can not describe the difference! I woke up refreshed, I started sleeping through the night. In the first 2 months I had this light I lost 18 pounds because I did not have the cravings I had during the SAD episodes. From what I understand this is because my melatonin is being regulated correctly.
After the first month I also noticed that after 1/2 hour my whole upper body would get a tremendous sense of well-being, bordering on euphoria. At first this caused me to be edgy and not sleep well if I went much beyond the 1/2 hour so I backed off.
About 3 months into the therarpy I increased the time to 45 miutes and felt that euphoria without getting edgy or losing sleep.
At 4 months the euphoria felt so good and I was in no hurry that Saturday morning so I doubled the time and spent the last hour of the therapy in total euphoria. That's nice enough, but later that day I noticed that my anxiety and depression were gone! My ever present companions were not there! I did the same thing that Sunday and my mind was set that I needed 1 1/2 hours for the rest of my life (unless I move to a southern state, which Minnesota is not). (NOTE: the manufacturer does not recommend going past 1/2 hour).
For the first time at work I did not have anxiety making me miserable. This freed me to get much more work done. That Monday after using the light I got up and walked for 42 minutes, called into work and said that I was not coming in until 9. I did that all week!
Spending this much time on light therapy will sound like an extreme to most people and most sufferers of SAD. My condition is more extreme than any I have read about so my requirements may be more drastic than most. I have no desire to feel the SAD symptoms again. I have no desire to be held back in my carreer like SAD did for me. If you don't have SAD I don't think you can understand this logic.
The mechanics: At first I used SAD in a dark room like I did with the SAD lights. This worked but was very unpleasant on my eyes. With the lights I could close my eyes and get some bennefit until the pupils did whatever they have to do to get going. I tried the light in a lighted room and it did not work for me though I have read that it is supposed to. I can not seem to read paper and do this light. I settled on using my computer early in the AM and that has worked fine. Also, if I want to watch a TV show I pull the curtains and place the light on my chest as close to my eyes as is comfortable. I have read that this light may even work for blind SAD sufferers because it does not use the sight receptors. I would like to see a study on that!
The other SAD lights relieved my symptoms. This light works!
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Philips GoLite P1 Blue Spectrum Light Therapy DeviceWinter blues got you down? Boost your mood, energy, and sleep with a blue-spectrum light therapy device from Apollo Health. For years the world's leading light therapy researchers and doctors have known that full-spectrum, 10,000 lux light boxes can be very effective at treating seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and other circadian rhythm related mood disorders. But there is something new in store for light therapy: blue spectrum. If you or a loved one is affected by these type of disorders, the Apollo Health GoLite P1 Blue Spectrum Light Therapy Device may help easy your suffering and improve your life.
Widely acclaimed as the best-selling, most-recommended manufacturer of 10,000 lux light therapy boxes, Apollo Health has taken a technological step forward with the GoLite P1. Recently, researchers have discovered that a very specific range of blue light is, in fact, the most effective color (wavelength) in treating these disorders. After years of research, Apollo has released this patent-pending product that delivers only the most effective blue spectrum light. Utilizing only the most effective wavelengths, the GoLite P1 provides a more convenient treatment, and fewer side effects than traditional 10,000 lux full-spectrum light therapy devices.
The patent-pending Bluewave technology is the result of 10 years of research with medical universities and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Although other companies may tout the benefits of this new research, only Apollo Health participated in the actual trials. In fact, Apollo is the only company to produce lights that provide 100 percent of the effective blue light spectrum. Bluewave is the most important because it provides a higher effective response than most full spectrum light at one-tenth the intensity of a regular 10,000 lux light therapy device. This means light therapy is not only convenient, but easier on the eyes with fewer side effects. Because Bluewave is so effective, all of the Apollo Health Britewave products have also been upgraded with the new technology. It is clear: Bluewave is the light therapy technology of the future.
Apollo Health recommends keeping the GoLite P1 at 20-22 inches from your face. Once you are comfortable with using the device, you'll be ready to take advantage of the GoLite P1's fully programmable interface and advanced features. This light therapy device is equipped with an adjustable treatment timer with an automatic shut-down, a protective flip cover, long-lasting eye-safe LEDs, and an anti-glare diffuser lens. After you've established your personalized treatment schedule, the GoLite P1 will remember your personal settings. For your convenience, the GoLite P1 has a built-in clock and a backlit digital LCD display. And as the world's smallest light therapy device, the GoLite P1 weights less than one pound. This device is UL, CUL, and CE safety listed, EMF-free, UV-free, and comes equipped with a two-year limited warranty.
The following information regarding the use of GoLite P1 has been provided by Apollo Health:
In almost all conditions, less than one hour is sufficient to produce the desired effect. Exceeding one hour may increase the chances of producing too much serotonin. If you begin to feel too energetic, euphoric, agitated, nervous, jittery, etc., you will want to reduce the amount of time. If you are using antidepressant medication, you should discuss this with your doctor, as you may need to reduce the level of medication or the amount of light you receive.
Most problems with light therapy happen when light is used for more than an hour. Over the last 20 years, light has been proven to be very safe and effective with no long term side effects or ocular damage. However, just as with other safe medications such as aspirin, too much light can cause problems. If you stay under one hour of light at a time, you shouldn't experience any difficulties.
What's in the Box GoLite P1 light therapy device, carrying case, international AC adapter, and warranty.
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