Light that Helps

“We’re investigating a phenomenon that’s still not widely understood: how flickering light generates this kaleidoscopic, vivid, immersive range of experiences. For many people, it’s incredibly profound. They don’t realize that their brains are capable of generating colors that they never see in normal life. … This is sparking a lot of conversations about the nature of consciousness, the nature of mind, the nature of perception.” -Anil Seth, a neuroscientist who studies consciousness at the University of Sussex in England https://www.shondaland.com/live/body/a40691458/upgrade-your-meditation-with-strobe-light-therapy/

The Greeks worshiped Helios(The Sun God)  and the Egyptians worshiped the Sun God Ra. The first spoken words of the Hebrew God of the Bible were to let there be  light. 

Light wakes us in the Morning, illuminates our days and puts us to bed at night. For thousands of years, this connection called the 24-hour circadian cycle regulated our lives for centuries. Just over a hundred years ago everything changed when we connected to the power grid and adopted electric light. 

One of the reasons why light has such powerful effects on so many different aspects of our biology is that it can be translated into electrical signals in our brain and body, into hormone signals in our brain and body, what we call cascades of biological pathways, meaning light can actually change the genes that the cells of our bodies express! https://mlightgroup.com/colour-temperature-creativity/#:~:text=Cooler%20lights%20are%20better%20for,thinking%2C%20like%20brainstorming%20or%20designing.

Some people may label the use of light for health purposes  under the category of Woo science or pseudoscience but there is more than a hundred years of quality science emphasizing the use of light, or particular wavelengths or Colors of light in order to modulate the activity of cells in the brain and body. 

In 1903, the Nobel prize was given to Niels Finsen, for the use of Phototherapy for the treatment of lupus.

Below are some possible Uses of Light for Medical Purposes.

The therapy functions as light enters the body. The wide-spectrum solid and flickering light enters the body through closed eyes, travels along the optic nerve and into the central brain (where the pineal gland and thalamus are located). As the cells communicate through impulses of light within the fascia, the light spreads through the body. 

Waves of light travel through the fascia, and the brain entrains to the pulsing rhythm of the light. As the subject moves deeper into the experience, neural networks and chemicals are activated, the body deeply relaxes and the unconscious world comes to life. https://www.dynamicstability.com.au/infrared_therapy/lucia-light/#:~:text=The%20Lucia%20N%C2%B003,have%20been%20meditating%20for%20decades.

(LUCIA NO3)

 As the visual scape opens, worlds and experiences start to flash before the subject’s eyes revealing their inner light. Thoughts fade away as they follow their breath and the music through the unfolding colors, patterns, shapes, journeys, memories and/or lucid dreamscapes. 

This includes sitting close to a special lamp called a light box, usually around 30 minutes to an hour each morning. The design of the light boxes may vary, they produce a very bright light which is measured in Lux - The higher the Lux, the brighter the light.

This Light stimulates the sunlight that’s missing during the darker winter months.

This Therapy may be helpful as this light may improve SAD by encouraging your brain to decrease the production of melatonin (a hormone that makes you sleepy) and an increment in the production of serotonin (A hormone that affects your mood). https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/treatment/#:~:text=more%20about%20antidepressants-,Light%20therapy,lamps%20and%20wall%2Dmounted%20fixtures.

Sunrise alarm clocks, which gradually light up your bedroom as you wake up, may also be useful for some people.

In LED light therapy, different wavelengths of LED lights are used to rejuvenate skin and fade blemishes. 

Before transforming to beauty treatment , NASA researched LED Light therapy for promoting plant growth and the reduction of Discomfort after injury. https://www.celluma.com/blogs/blog/nasa-and-red-light-therapy. US special forces have used LED treatment for certain wounds. Popular colors used in LED therapy include blue light, red light, yellow light and green light. All light therapy devices function the same while colors achieve different results.

LED devices includes wands and masks, which work to expose the entire face to specified light wavelength, while wands can be used for targeted use: 

For this virtual environment, light plays a very crucial role. Light bends as it passes through the lens based on the focal length of the lens, magnifying the size and, in this case, inverting the image.

It is scientifically proven that light and nature have a positive impact on our health. Via a VR headset the visitor will view beautiful,digital abstract forms of Nature and Light introduced by a brief breathing meditation session through the headphones. https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/virtual-reality-therapy/

(Work of Li-huei Tsai at Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

By delivering certain patterns of light flicker(Light going on and off, in a particular frequency), the brain as a whole starts to entrain, matching to those particular patterns of light flicker. One Such study that is quoted here is Gamma Entrainment Binds Higher-Order Brain Regions and Offers Neuro Protection. Study by Li-Huei, increased gamma oscillations(https://optoceutics.com/mit-institute-light-therapy-treatment-device-for-alzheimers-disease/)

What they did was to expose the subjects to 40Hz(Frequency) of illumination to the eyes (light flicker). When they recorded the activity of neurons within the brain, including areas other than visual areas, it was observed increased gamma oscillations, meaning that the electrical activity of the brain at large started to match the patterns of light that were delivered to the eyes“Dr Glenn, research on age-related vision loss, exposure to redlight replenishes ATP” is not created yet. Click to create.(https://optoceutics.com/mit-institute-light-therapy-treatment-device-for-alzheimers-disease/)

(Jeffery Lab)

One example of phototherapy can be the work of Dr. Glen Jeffery. The jeffrey Lab, is
known for thorough research in the realm of visual NeuroScience. They recently turned their attention to explore the role of red light therapy for helping with age-related vision loss. After research the Jeffrey lab came to the conclusion that just brief exposures to red light early in the day (1-3 minutes, a few times a week)  or less can offset much of the vision loss that occurs in people 40 years or older. Red Light, less sensitiveƪhttps://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2021/nov/morning-exposure-deep-red-light-improves-declining-eyesight

The cells located in the rear end of our eye, that convert light information into electrical signals that the rest of the brain understands and generates visual images from, those cells are highly metabolically active, which means they require a lot of ATP or energy. As we age, the efficiency of these cells at creating ATP and energy substantially decreases. Exposure to Red light, Early in the day, allowed those cells to replenish the mechanisms by which they create ATP. https://www.lighttherapyinsiders.com/andrew-huberman-light-therapy/

Light has a profound effect on our mood. It can make us feel more alert, relaxed or creative. Factors such as the brightness, the type of lighting and the color can all have an impact on how we feel.

Natural Light

Natural Light as discussed in the introduction, helps regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, the natural sleep-wake cycle. Having enough access to natural Light will make you feel alert during the day and sleepy during the night. https://www.healthline.com/health/natural-light-benefits#:~:text=Health%20benefits%20of%20natural%20light,-1.&text=When%20exposed%20to%20sunlight%2C%20the,your%20sunlight%20indoors%20or%20out.

Artificial Light

Artificial Light can also have a positive ( or negative ) effect on our mood, but its important to choose the right type of light for your needs. Bright, white light can be stimulating and make you feel more alert. However, it can also be harsh and uncomfortable to some. Warm, yellow light is generally more relaxing and can help you to feel more at ease or calm. https://1stsourcelighting.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-artificial-lighting/

Light and Mood?

Indoor lighting is far more than a mere tool for visibility; it's a subtle yet powerful influencer of our daily lives. Research indicates that our lighting preferences, including factors like color and intensity, can deeply impact our mood and emotional experiences indoors.

The fascinating link between lighting choices and the ambiances they create is undeniable. Certain lighting setups are ideal for fostering particular moods or behaviors, while others are better suited for different activities or mental states. This interplay between lighting and environment is a fascinating aspect of how we shape our surroundings to enhance our experiences.

Color is highly affected by regionality. For example, in China, red is a festive color. Most Chinese people's emotions unconsciously turn to joy at the sight of red. 

But in Thailand, red is an unlucky color. In different cultures, different colors have very different effects on people's emotional health. Only by fully understanding the appreciation habits and aesthetic psychology of different objects, mastering the psychological law of people's understanding and appreciation of color, and using color reasonably can people maintain good emotional health.

Even Hollywood uses different color schemes to give off different emotions during a movie. 

For example Hollywood uses blue and orange tones for drama. Warm Red tones for Romantic Movies. Desaturate colors for apocalyptic, fluorescent greens for sci fi, saturated vibrant red tones for comedy and blue cold tones for horror films. https://nofilmschool.com/color-psychology-in-film

Most Rooms are filled with white lights designed to keep us awake, which, according to a 2011 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism study, can suppress the body’s sleep - including melatonin production.
There can be several options used for meditation lights

Having the right lighting in the meditation room can substantially upgrade one's meditation experience. It can also help with the regulation of the circadian rhythm hence improving the sleep quality. Overly Bright lights can have a negative impact on your meditation practice.

When choosing the lighting one should consider the following factors

Studies as far back to the 1930s suggests that people, at least in the western world, associate colors with specific feelings.

As mentioned before, The Lucia no3 Light, developed in 2009 by Austrian psychologists Engelbert Winkler and Dirk Proeckl, is a stroboscopic neurostimulator - a device that uses Flickering solid light to stimulate the brain through the optic nerve. The Inventors claim that light helps with recalibrating the nervous system which allows deep relaxation, expanded awareness, and a profound meditative experience.

Inventors have claimed that at the end of the sixth session, the device would have successfully “reprogrammed the nervous system”. Although Light therapy has been associated with treating conditions such as SAD, depression and bipolar disorders, the inventors claim that it also holds potential therapeutic benefits. Anil Seth, a neuroscientist who studies consciousness at the University of Sussex in England, is part of a project touring the United Kingdom this summer called Dreamachine, a stroboscopic light show set to music designed for group “viewing” through closed eyes.

Certain types of light can remind us of things we've experienced before. For instance, seeing a light pattern or visual cue that reminds us of a specific place or event can make us remember more details about that experience. It's like a trigger that helps us recall memories associated with that particular light or visual stimulus.

Studies led by researchers like Elizabeth Kensinger have looked into how the brightness of the environment affects how we remember emotional events. For instance, being in a well-lit place when something emotional happens might make us remember the details more clearly than if it happened in a dimly lit room. This shows that light plays a role in how our memories feel emotionally.

Neuroscientists, such as Richard Morris and others, study how different parts of our brain, like the hippocampus, deal with memories. They also look at how things around us, including light, can affect how memories form, stick around, and come back to us. Their work helps us understand the complex ways our brain handles memories based on what's happening in our environment.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8679009/

Adjustable Ambient Light

Using adjustable ambient lighting can allow you to customize the brightness level and color temperature to suit one’s mood

Warm Light:

Research indicates that warm light (2500 - 3000 kelvin) can enhance creativity by promoting relaxation and a sense of comfort. Working on something creative would be helpful under warm light as the work requires relaxed and a contemplative mindset. https://mlightgroup.com/colour-temperature-creativity/#:~:text=Cooler%20lights%20are%20better%20for,thinking%2C%20like%20brainstorming%20or%20designing.

Colored Lighting: 

As previously mentioned, certain colors can evoke specific emotions or states of mind. For instance, as per a world wide survey in 2015, 78% of people claimed that blue light is associated with calm and focus, while red light can stimulate energy and passion. https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/environmental-influences-on-gene-expression-536/

Dynamic Lighting

Some studies indicate that mimicking the natural progression of daylight can help stimulate creativity and keep the brain engaged for relatively longer periods of time. Brightness impacts memory recallƪ (https://mlightgroup.com/colour-temperature-creativity/#:~:text=Cooler%20lights%20are%20better%20for,thinking%2C%20like%20brainstorming%20or%20designing.)

According to a study published in the journal Cerebral cortex from psychologists at the University of Cambridge now shows that a technique called brainwave entrainment may enhance perceptual learning and the ways we make perceptual decisions.

Entrainment refers to the fact that naturally brain waves synchronize with external stimuli. Research shows that flickering lights can increase the “power” of low frequency brain waves called alpha waves, which normally oscillates at a frequency of 8 - 12 Hertz. When the flickering lights increase the power of alpha waves, the waves become more closely synchronized, resulting in larger crests and troughs. Some people claim that binaural beats can enhance sleep and boost attention and learning. Entrainment is already being used as a form of therapy, with some evidence that suggests that this may even be effective in treating Chronic Pain.Warm Light promotes relaxation and creativityƪ(https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-024-04339-y#:~:text=Pain%20is%20a%20major%20clinical,in%20acute%20and%20chronic%20pain.)

The way light interacts with our body's natural rhythms, our mood, eye comfort, and ability to focus all adds up to making us more productive, whether we're at work or studying.

In one study, German researchers examined the flicker test's usefulness in evaluating alertness and arousal. They studied 10 patients with narcolepsy and 10 matched volunteers over a 10-hour period, finding that narcoleptic patients showed more variability in task performance throughout the day. However, differences in critical flicker fusion (CFF) thresholds between the groups were not significant.

Another study by Ronzhina and colleagues looked into whether performing a flicker test affects arousal levels. They used EEG electrodes and found no impact on participant arousal or alertness, although the study involved only seven sleep-deprived participants.

Lecca et al. investigated mental fatigue in 30 professional drivers using the flicker test and heart rate variability. They observed a slight CFF decrease after a 6-hour drive, particularly when assessing increasing flickering light frequency. Additionally, they noted a gradual decrease in heart rate during the drive. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1325499/full

Research linking arousal with flickering light is lacking.

In theater and stage shows, flashing lights are strategically incorporated into the lighting setup. They play a vital role in creating the right ambiance, eliciting emotional responses, and directing the audience's attention. These lights can mimic lightning, fireworks, or changes in mood, contributing significantly to the visual narrative and making key moments unforgettable.

We can conclude with existing research that:

[1][https://www.shondaland.com/live/body/a40691458/upgrade-your-meditation-with-strobe-light-therapy/](https://www.shondaland.com/live/body/a40691458/upgrade-your-meditation-with-strobe-light-therapy/)

[2][Lucia Light - Dynamic Stability](https://www.dynamicstability.com.au/infrared_therapy/lucia-light/#:~:text=The%20Lucia%20N%C2%B003,have%20been%20meditating%20for%20decades.)

[3][Treatment - Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) - NHS](https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/treatment/#:~:text=more%20about%20antidepressants-,Light%20therapy,lamps%20and%20wall%2Dmounted%20fixtures.)

[4][NASA and Red Light Therapy | Celluma](https://www.celluma.com/blogs/blog/nasa-and-red-light-therapy)

[5] Virtual Reality Therapy: Everything You Need To Know

[6] Huberman and Light Therapy: Science, Devices and Tips

[7] https://nofilmschool.com/color-psychology-in-film

[8] https://optoceutics.com/meditation-light-therapy-techniques/

[9][How Light and Colors Help to Boost your Creative | Luminette](https://myluminette.com/en-int/blogs/article/how-light-and-colors-help-to-boost-your-creative)

[10] Color Psychology: Does It Affect How You Feel?

[11][Article - Colour Temperature & Creativity - mLight](https://mlightgroup.com/colour-temperature-creativity/#:~:text=Cooler%20lights%20are%20better%20for,thinking%2C%20like%20brainstorming%20or%20designing.)

[12][Environmental Influences on Gene Expression | Learn Science at Scitable](https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/environmental-influences-on-gene-expression-536/)

[13][MIT’s Research On Light Therapy For Alzheimer's (Results & Best Lights)](https://optoceutics.com/mit-institute-light-therapy-treatment-device-for-alzheimers-disease/)

[14][Morning exposure to deep red light improves declining eyesight | UCL News - UCL – University College London](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2021/nov/morning-exposure-deep-red-light-improves-declining-eyesight)

[15][Light Therapy Market Strategic Growth Analysis, 2024 to 2034](https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/light-therapy-market#:~:text=Light%20Therapy%20Market%20Outlook%20from,light%20therapy%20business%20in%202023.)

[16]Does brain entrainment using binaural auditory beats affect pain perception in acute and chronic pain?: a systematic review | BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies

](https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-024-04339-y#:~:text=Pain%20is%20a%20major%20clinical,in%20acute%20and%20chronic%20pain.)[17][The Health Benefits of Natural Light (and 7 Ways to Get More of It)](https://www.healthline.com/health/natural-light-benefits#:~:text=Health%20benefits%20of%20natural%20light,-1.&text=When%20exposed%20to%20sunlight%2C%20the,your%20sunlight%20indoors%20or%20out.)

[18] The Pros and Cons of Artificial Lighting: Understanding the Advantages and Disadvantages

[19] Event perception and memory - PMC

[20][Flicker light stimulation enhances the emotional response to music: a comparison study to the effects of psychedelics](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1325499/full)

[https://spinoff.nasa.gov/NASA-Research-Illuminates-Medical-Uses-of-Light\](https://spinoff.nasa.gov/NASA-Research-Illuminates-Medical-Uses-of-Light%5C)

https://ece.northeastern.edu/groups/power/lehman/Publications/Pub2010/2010_9_Wilkins.pdf

Anil Seth's profound explorationƪ

Light therapy for jet lagƪ