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GBlist: Full-spectrum lighting



I wrote the following the other day:

"Yes, full-spectrum lights work for SAD. There is good evidence to that
effect, and I'm not putting them down for that reason, but rather for
all the hype associated with them—and there is a lot of hype. I know
people who use a single bulb and think they are getting some benefit
from it. As anyone associated with SAD knows, you need more light than
one bulb will give you in an hour."

I wrote the above without all the information I should have had. It's
been some time since I read up on SAD (much longer than I realized) and
the recent literature says that full-spectrum bulbs aren't necessary.
So, any bright light can help. In fact, there is some work done with
small light visors you can wear on your head, and some evidence that
taking regular morning walks outdoors helps. BUT FULL-SPECTRUM BULBS
AREN'T NECESSARY. Not only are they unnecessary, but I've spoken with
sensitive people who can't be around them. And, regular bright light
isn't the perfect therapy—typical side effects of bright light on SAD
patients include headache and feeling "wired."

So, full-spectrum bulbs don't even seem to recommended for SAD anymore.
Sorry if I misled anyone. 

In 1986, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration censured a manufacturer
of full-spectrum lights for “gross deceptions” in their advertising.,
and I haven't seen any really good scientific literature to back up
health advantages to full-spectrum bulbs. Most of the hype can be traced
back to John Ott's work in the 1960s and 70s, which sounded good at the
time, but just hasn't been backed up. I still think his work with
time-lapse photography is interesting, but he's not the light/health
guru he was back when.
-- 
John Bower, The Healthy House Institute
http://www.hhinst.com/    email: healthy@bloomington.in.us
430 N. Sewell Road, Bloomington, IN 47408
Phone/fax 812-332-5073
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