Mental health matters. Discover how light therapy offers a non-drug approach for bipolar disorder, depression & SAD by regulating your circadian rhythm.
While mental health has long been swept under the rug, it affects more people than many realize. The world is finally starting to acknowledge—and normalize—how we relate to and talk about mental health, and for good reason: one in four people will be affected by a mental or neurological disorder at some point. Today, around 450 million people live with a mental health condition, and many experience more than one.
Those numbers can be startling. How can that many people have a mental health condition while it remains rarely discussed? For decades, mental health has faced stigma, discrimination, and neglect. With so much negativity surrounding mental health disorders, most people never sought treatment and often did not understand the source of their distress.
The conversation is now shifting. More people are sharing their experiences, helping to propel research into specific conditions and uncover new therapies that may ease symptoms.
A recent example comes from Dutch researchers, who report that light therapy may benefit people with certain mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder. The Good Light Group—a non-profit that promotes research and education on “nutritive lighting”—highlighted this approach in a seminar on integrating light therapy into public healthcare.
During the session, Lisette Rops, psychiatrist and head of the bipolar and light-and-lifestyle departments at GGzE (Dutch Association of Mental Health and Addiction Care), summarized links between mental health and the circadian rhythm. She noted that this internal clock helps regulate hormone release, chemical receptors, and restorative processes.
Clinicians at GGzE typically suggest about 30 minutes of light therapy a day, five days a week, combined with attention to sleep, nutrition, social activity, and daytime routine.
Beyond bipolar disorder, studies have explored light therapy for depression. The aim is not to cure non-seasonal depression but to ease symptoms, boost energy, and improve overall well-being by supporting a stable circadian rhythm.
This information is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice.
WHO: Mental health overview Mayo Clinic: Light therapy PMC: Circadian rhythm and mood
Infrared light therapy for seasonal depression exposes the body to an artificial light source that mimics natural sunlight. People with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) often have difficulty regulating serotonin and may overproduce melatonin, leading to low mood and fatigue. Timed exposure to infrared light may help the body regulate hormone production and support a deeper, more restful night’s sleep.
Some countries are exploring red-light therapy as a public-health service, and treatment is already available in private clinics or for home use. This accessibility allows individuals to integrate light therapy into daily routines under professional guidance when needed.
Led Mask produces light-therapy devices that are MDA-certified and FDA-cleared for the indications stated in their 510(k) summaries; the units can be configured for professional or home settings. While mental-health stigma shifts gradually, clinicians and patients may consider light therapy as one tool among others for mood support.
This information is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Hormone regulation and light exposure Seasonal affective disorder overview (NIMH)
