Treatmentemerging

Bright Light Therapy

Timed exposure to high-intensity (typically 10,000 lux) light via light boxes or light rooms to shift circadian timing, marketed for delayed sleep phase, jet lag, shift work and seasonal low mood.

Timed exposure to high-intensity (typically 10,000 lux) light via light boxes or light rooms to shift circadian timing, marketed for delayed sleep phase, jet lag, shift work and seasonal low mood. Sold as in-clinic sessions or supervised home protocols.

Evidence

emerging

Light therapy is well-established for seasonal affective disorder and has guideline support (though with weak-to-moderate recommendations) for circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, but the broad 'sleep optimization' claims made by wellness venues outrun the trial evidence.

Regulatory notes

European Union
Devices with medical claims must be CE-marked under MDR; sessions are commonly sold as wellness services with restricted medical claims.
United States
Light boxes are generally sold as low-risk/general-wellness devices without prescription; therapeutic claims for specific disorders should come from licensed clinicians.
United Arab Emirates
Permitted as a wellness service; disorder-specific treatment claims require a DHA/DoH-licensed facility and practitioner.
United Kingdom
Devices widely sold OTC; clinical use for SAD/circadian disorders sits within regulated healthcare providers.

General information, not medical or legal advice. See our disclaimer.

Also known as

light therapy, phototherapy, 10,000 lux therapy, light box therapy, circadian light therapy, SAD lamp therapy, wake therapy, luminotherapy, luminoterapia, fototerapia

Where to find it

51 clinics in the directory offer bright light therapy. Prices shown are the cheapest for this treatment where published; always confirm with the venue.

London

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