For those who are suffering from depression, medication and therapy are often the only treatment options available. However, red light therapy has recently emerged as an alternative treatment that has shown great promise in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety with minimal side effects and no long-term commitment required by the patient. Keep reading to learn more about red light therapy for depression and how it can aid in mental wellness.
- What is Red Light Therapy?
- How Does it Work?
- How Can Red Light Therapy Work For Depression?
- Does Red Light Therapy For Depression Work Better Than Medications?
- Red Light Impact On Mood
- Benefits Of Red Light Therapy For Depression
- Can You Do Red Light Therapy At Home?
- Final Thoughts: Red Light Therapy Can Boost Your Overall Mood And Alleviate Symptoms Of Depression
What is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses specialized light bulbs to treat a variety of medical ailments. Most recently, red light therapy has been used to help relieve depression symptoms. Early studies have found that red light therapy for depression can be as effective as other antidepressant medications at alleviating some symptoms while also avoiding many of their side effects and risks.
Researchers believe that red light stimulates certain aspects of metabolism in brain cells, activating parts of our bodies that trigger positive emotions. In addition to being an alternative treatment option for those who suffer from depression, red light therapy may also prove helpful for those who struggle with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or sleep disorders.
How Does it Work?
Red light therapy is a type of phototherapy (light treatment) in which you sit in front of an illuminated box that emits red light. It may sound simple, but there’s some science behind it. Red light helps boost your body’s levels of serotonin, which boosts positive feelings and can help combat depression symptoms. While it won’t make you happier per se, red light therapy can reduce depressive thoughts and help you take on challenges again instead of feeling stuck.
Talk to your doctor about trying red light therapy for depression if antidepressants aren’t working for you or if you’re looking for another treatment option; some psychiatrists will even offer sessions as part of their practice.
How Can Red Light Therapy Work For Depression?
Red light therapy can be used to treat seasonal affective disorder, a condition common in colder regions of North America and Europe. Those with SAD typically experience depression during the winter months when there are fewer hours of sunlight. Experts believe that short wavelengths (or lack thereof) of light may be to blame. Studies show that people who suffer from SAD can benefit from red light therapy.
Not only does it regulate circadian rhythms, but studies have also shown that those who get four weeks of LED treatment are twice as likely to see their symptoms go away permanently than those who don’t receive treatment.
Does Red Light Therapy For Depression Work Better Than Medications?
Red light therapy, or phototherapy, uses red light to help treat depression. However, red light should not be your only health care option. Still, some promising examinations and plenty of anecdotal evidence suggest red light therapy is effective against some symptoms. It’s still too early to say whether it works just as well as medications; if you want to try it out on your own, talk with your physician first.
Red Light Impact On Mood
A study published in 2010 suggests that red light therapy for depression has a beneficial impact on depressive symptoms by increasing serotonin production. When mood dips, more than likely, you’re dealing with sluggish brain chemistry. Low serotonin levels and low melatonin levels are common issues people report struggling with when dealing with depression. Red light therapy stimulates your body to produce serotonin, which will help improve your mood.
Some people notice results after just one treatment; others notice results after several sessions over a longer period of time. As an alternative to antidepressant medications, red light therapy is increasingly being used as a new method of treating mild-to-moderate depression. Moreover, it helps to treat sleep disorders and seasonal depression.
To best prepare for red light therapy and to get a full therapeutic benefit, be sure to take steps to optimize your health prior to treatment
Benefits Of Red Light Therapy For Depression
Research has shown that red light therapy relieves several symptoms of depression. In clinical trials, patients who received red light therapy had reduced anxiety levels and improved mood after four weeks.
They also reported less trouble getting out of bed in the morning and less stress when attempting new activities. Despite these findings, more research is needed before any official treatment guidelines are released. Red light therapy remains an experimental treatment option, though some doctors have begun to use it with their patients on a case-by-case basis.
Here are some benefits of red light therapy for depression:
- Increases Serotonin and Melatonin Levels: Although it’s not clear exactly how red light therapy works, research suggests that it may be similar to antidepressants in some ways. It has been found to increase serotonin and melatonin levels, two neurotransmitters that are linked to depression.
- Increases Mood: It may also stimulate regions of your brain related to mood and emotion regulation, leading to better symptoms overall.
- Safe and effective: Red light therapy is safer than other treatments since there are no side effects or potential interactions with other medications.
Research is ongoing, but more studies need to be performed to draw firm conclusions about light therapy’s potential benefits.
Can You Do Red Light Therapy At Home?
The answer is yes, but you’ll want to make sure you invest in a high-quality device that can boost your overall results. A clinic-grade red light therapy box is designed to protect your eyes while providing you with effective treatment results.
Final Thoughts: Red Light Therapy Can Boost Your Overall Mood And Alleviate Symptoms Of Depression
Red light therapy has been shown to reduce depressive symptoms as well as chronic pain symptoms and may soon become a common form of treatment. Now that studies have confirmed its effectiveness in these areas, insurance companies are likely to start covering it. But what if you don’t want to wait?
Many manufacturers of red light therapy devices offer affordable home units; all you need is a clear spot on your wall, making it an easy purchase. Although more research needs to be done on its long-term effects, red light therapy is showing significant promise as an alternative treatment method for depression.