Video: https://www.tiktok.com/@distilledscience/video/7564858267084639518
Transcript
Here's exactly how to use green light to treat migraines or fibromyalgia without breaking the bank. It's not this. Last time we covered a study where daily green light treatment cut migraine frequency by more than half. It can also make them less intense. This fibromyalgia study showed that it lowered average pain intensity, frequency, and duration, as well as improved sleep and the ability to do chores. So of course these spawned a bunch of companies rushing to sell you green light migraine relief devices. Like this $239 one claiming to use a patented band of light. Now I'm no patent attorney. But I'm a But I am a scientist on a mission to rescue your wallet from marketing hype. And here's a little secret. That patented band of light is nothing special. Light's wavelength is like a unique color swatch label. One number equals exactly one color. Some light gives you all at once, i.e. white light. And artificial lights give you different ranges. LEDs produce super narrow bands around specific wavelengths. These guys intentionally didn't say their wavelength, but this study using it said that it's around 520 nanometers. And how did they come up with this? The original study on migraines used these basic 525 nanometer LEDs, because all cheap green LEDs are in this range, because they're made with indium-gallium nitride, which does not efficiently emit light above 530 nanometers. No study has even tested other greens. If you buy a pure LED green light, it'll likely be the right color. But look for a listed wavelength. Do not use generic green-colored light bulbs with party lights or apps on your phone, because those are often broader bands of not pure green. you do not want something super high-powered. The challenge is actually getting it dim enough. The migraine study actually covered two out of three LEDs on their strip with electrical tape just to get it dim enough. You can use multicolored dimmable LED strips set to green, but be careful because the cheaper ones dimmed by rapidly flickering on and off, which can cause headaches. I got these for $13, which I'll link to. They also have fun segmental control. But there are tons. So to use them, sit in a room with no other light sources. including your phone or computer. The light should be dim as a nightlight. Right enough to read by, but not much more. Sit three to six feet away. Don't look directly at the light, but keep it in your field of view. Read a book, listen to music, do some exercise, or maybe be weird and just think. But keep your eyes open. One to two hours per day. A lot, I know. The effect is cumulative, so it might take a while to build up. It doesn't work for everyone, but this observational study, industry funded, found that it helps around 60% of people. If you try it, please report back.
Additional notes
Replying to @Lily The research here is stillin its early phases. But it's such a low-cost intervention that it's super easy to try at home. If you try it, make sure to let me know how it goes! (The guide will be an evolving document- after I get a chance to test more devices I'll send out an update!) #migraines #greenlight #learontoktok
References
- Green-light migraine study, fibromyalgia green-light study, device wavelength study, and industry-funded observational study discussed in transcript; DOI/PMID/source links not listed in workbook for this row.
- Related green-light studies and DOI references were preserved in the previous green-light row where listed in the workbook.