buybuydandavis comments on My simple hack for increased alertness and improved cognitive functioning: very bright light - Less Wrong

54 Post author: chaosmage 18 January 2013 01:43PM

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Comment author: buybuydandavis 19 January 2013 12:01:28AM *  1 point [-]

Good thing you reminded me.

I've had problems with motivation and mood.

I had a light box that I set across the room for a month, and my mood and motivation both improved. Got out of the habit of using it.

I've noticed a stimulating effect for the rest of the day just from being in the Home Depot lighting department for 20 minutes.

Another SAD light treatment I haven't tried because it's annoyingly pricey (~$300) for the materials involved:

Valkee Bright Light Headset Valkee substitutes the mood-elevating effects of the sun, by channeling bright light directly to photosensitive regions of the brain through the ear canal. That’s why Valkee increases energy, and can act as a preventative or treatment of mood swings. Valkee is used daily for just 6-12 minutes.

Valkee has CE Class II(a) medical device certification and is clinically tested.

http://www.valkee.com

Basically, the light form a couple of white LEDs pumped into your ears. I feel a little eyestrain from the light box, and find it inconvenient at work. They say to use it for 6-12 minutes, but I'd probably overdo it and try them during the day.