Video 1
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0333102420956711
Do you get migraines? Researchers from the University of Arizona just discovered a really cool treatment that doesn’t involve any painkillers or injections. Ooor any drugs. All they used was light. Green light, to be specific. Here’s what happened.
They enrolled 7 participants that suffered from episodic migraines and 22 from chronic ones.
They were each given LED light strips to take home, and instructed to set aside a consistent 1-2 hours block each day in a room where that was the only light source. They could read, listen to music, exercise, etc. but no screens. To make sure that the color was what mattered, They all spent 10 weeks using white LEDs and another 10 using green LEDs.
The results were pretty amazing.
By the end of the 10 week green light period, the episodic migraine sufferers went from experiencing roughly 8 per month down to 2 and a half, and the chronic sufferers went from 22 to 9. That’s a similar effect size to the best drugs out there. But the white light had almost no effect. And what’s crazy is that we have almost no IDEA why this works! The human body is super cool. And so is science.
1/9/25 UPDATE
Caption:
Green light produces antinociception by activating glutamatergic neurons in vLGN, and red light promotes nociception by activating GABAergic neurons in the ventral lateral geniculate body (vLGN)
This works with normal LED strips you can get online! Just set them to pure green and relax :)
Note: The newer human trial was less rigorous, but involved 698 participants who were classified as “responders” or “non responders.” Headache improved in 55% of all 3,232 attacks, in 82% of the 1,803 attacks treated by responders, and in 21% of the 1,429 attacks treated by non-responders.
📚 Studies Referenced:
doi: 10.1177/0333102420956711
doi: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1282236 - Allay lamp survey
doi: 10.1093/pm/pnaa329 - fibromyalgia
doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106164 - psychotherapy Allay lamp study 10cd/m2
doi: 10.2147/PRBM.S388042
DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abq6474
Video 2
Here’s exactly how to use green light to treat migraines–Or fibromyalgia–without breaking the bank.
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 found that it lowered average pain intensity, frequency, and duration, as well as improved sleep and ability to do chores.
These spawned a slew of companies rushing to sell you “Green light migraine relief” devices. Like this $239 one that claims to use a “Patented band of light.” Now I’m no patent attorney… 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 = 1 exact color. Sunlight gives you all at once, ie white light, and artificial lights give you different ranges.
LEDs produce super narrow bands around a single wavelength.
These guys intentionally don’t say their wavelength, but this study using it said it’s 520 ± 10 nm. [the patent is on the particular device, not the band of light, which isn’t patentable]
And HOW did they come up with this?
Well, the original study on migraines used these basic 525 nm 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. No study has tested other greens.
If you buy any PURE GREEN LED, it’ll likely be the right color, BUT look for a listed wavelength. Do NOT use generic green-colored light bulbs, party lights, or apps on your phone, because those are often broader bands of NOT pure green.
And, as for brightness… you don’t WANT something high powered. The challenge is actually getting it DIM ENOUGH. These are TOO BRIGHT.
The Migraine study actually covered 2 out of 3 LEDs on their strip with electrical tape to get it dim enough. You CAN use multicolor, dimmable LED strips set to green, but be careful because the cheaper ones dim 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. This free phone app can measure flicker.
To use them, sit in a room with NO OTHER LIGHT SOURCE. Including your phone or computer. The light should be dim as a nightlight. Bright enough to read, but not too much more. Sit 3-6 feet away. Don’t look directly at the light, but keep it in your field of view. Read a book, listen to music, exercise, or maybe be weird and just think. EYES OPEN. 1-2 hours per day. The effect is cumulative, so it might take a few weeks to build up. It doesn’t work for everyone, but this observational study–industry funded–found that it helped around 60% of people. Try it and report back!