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Blue Light Therapy, Blue Light Therapies
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What is Blue Light Therapy?
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| The specific bandwidth of light that is responsible for suppressing melatonin and shifting circadian rhythms encompasses light in the range of 446 – 477nm (nanometers) and peaks at 464nm. This narrow slice of light is in the upper end of the blue spectrum. |
| How Effective Is Blue Light Therapy? |
Recently, the Journal of Neuroscience reported that this specific bandwidth of light is up to five times more effective than other wavelengths at causing this neurochemical shift. A joint National Institute of Health (NIH) study with Thomas Jefferson University was also conducted to determine the antidepressant response of blue light therapy. This study demonstrated recovery and remission rates equal to or higher than similar studies with standard bright light therapy. |
| Is Blue Light Therapy More Effective Than Full Spectrum Light Therapy? |
By using this specific light or boosting it in conventional light therapy, researchers hope to be even more effective in eliciting a stronger and quicker response. Until now, light therapy devices have had to produce 10,000-lux intensity in order to produce a therapeutic response. |
| Is Blue Light Therapy Safe? |
The NIH study was conducted in accordance with FDA guidelines for ocular safety. Dr. David Sliney, the NIH physicist responsible for ocular safety testing, reported that blue light therapy was well below Governmental threshold levels for ocular safety. Since the risk of ocular damage diminishes exponentially with increasing wavelength (AACGIH, 2001) blue light therapy poses no risk of ocular damage (Ocular damage occurs in the range of 340 – 390 nm, ultraviolet and near ultraviolet light). Also because blue light therapy is very targeted, it produces no UV emissions. |
| How is Blue Light Therapy Measured? 10,000 lux vs. Photons/cm 2 |
Because blue light therapy represents only a narrow slice of the visible light spectrum, it cannot be measured accurately with a lux meter. Lux meters measure the total spectral energy from all visible wavelengths, not specific bandwidths. This is why blue light therapy’s intensity is measured in photons/cm 2 instead of in lux. |
| Who Has Blue Light Therapy Technology? |
The specific bandwidth of light was discovered by Thomas Jefferson Medical University, and Apollo owns the patent applications for BLUEWAVE™ technology. BLUEWAVE™ technology was developed by Apollo to apply TJMU’s research. Although a few companies claim to have this or similar technology, they do not. Apollo Health, Inc. is the only light therapy company to have participated with TMJU in these research studies, and only Apollo is authorized to research and manufacture devices with BLUEWAVE™ technology. |
