Day-Light Bright Light Therapy Lamp

UPDATE 1/12/14... This light is REALLY working for me this year, partly because I've repositioned it. I now put it on a coffee table in front of my sofa, and drag the coffee table as close to my knees as I can. This gives me a lot of bright, up-close light. I can (and do) read the newspaper or a book by placing them in front of the light or in between the legs of the stand. I try to spend 45-60 minutes in front of the light every day, and I've felt better this year than any year in my memory. I will try to post a picture of me in front of the light and coffee table. (I'm wearing a yellow long-sleeve shirt.) ORIGINAL REVIEW... I've suffered from SAD for over 20 years. Usually I just tough it out, but I HAVE tried lights, and they work for me. I haven't used them much because of their large size made it cumbersome to position them in any practical way. This light is small, lightweight, and flexible. No smell that I have ever detected. No excessive heat, either. The legs are flimsy, but removable; I've packed them in my suitcase with the light, and used the whole assembly on the other end of my airline trip. I've positioned the light behind my 21" monitor, where it fits perfectly. It's a bit bright, but definitely manageable, when I'm doing regular computer work. It's perfect for Spider Solitaire, though -- two or three games and I've got my thirty minutes in. UPDATE 1/28/12... I am still loving this light. It is SO easy to spend time in front of it, unlike the big, bulky lights I've used in the past. It has very much improved my life this winter. I sit in front of it for 30 minutes or more every morning (at my computer -- see the image I uploaded, of the unlit light behind the monitor), and whenever I start to feel bad during the day. This is often in late afternoon, around 4:00 or 4:30. I have amazingly more energy this winter than in any of the past five or ten. Usually I am a high energy creative person in the summer, but that all comes to a halt in the winter. This thing has made me summer-like this season, and I love it. (I'm reporting my clinical facts so that others might benefit. I know very well that not everyone who gets the winter blues is helped very much by light therapy. If light works for you, this unit is a great way to deliver it.) I evaluate the unit as well-designed and well-made, except for the legs, which work fine, but are flimsy. This is not much of an issue with me, since the light sits behind my 21" monitor, which gives it some support and keeps the legs out of the way. I took the light and legs on a second airline trip, and they were again very satisfactory. Everything fits in my suitcase, and because it is light in weight and has suitable strength, it travels well there. I've noticed something that might be at the root of some of the complaints about screwing on the legs. The metal screw on the legs threads into what seems to be some metal threads inserted into the plastic case of the light. It works, but I think it would be easy to cross-thread, and I won't be surprised if the female part of the joint breaks or wears out. When that happens, one can probably jury-rig a more stable connection. Time will tell. UPDATE 2/3/12... I made a simple stabilizer, which removes about 80% of the instability in the legs. See the picture I've posted. The nylon straps are a common hardware item, costing about 25 cents each. The wood was a scrap from my workshop. Four screws hold it all together. The straps do NOT grab the legs very tightly, so there is some residual side-to-side sway. I'm going to try putting a layer of tape on the legs, to let the straps really dig in. I'll also look for an alternative to the straps. In the meantime, my light is a lot more stable than when it came out of the box.

Bright-Light Therapy has been a total game changer in my life. I wish I'd realized this earlier. I've got a feeling that my college days in the frozen dark pits of the Northeast could've been less of a drag for sure if only I'd known about this INCREDIBLE treatment. My seasonal depression has been present since high school. At the time, my friends would call it my "hibernation" period, since I'd slowly withdraw from my normal engaged self every single year during the darker days. As I got older, the annual withdrawal became more extreme, more painful, and wholly intolerable. It got to the point that I'd almost have a complete breakdown after every winter solstice. Finally I reached out for help when it became abundantly clear that feeling so terrible each year was far from sustainable. I got on the typical SSRIs and whatnot, which slowly helped the situation, but the most powerful tool was the least expected: light! It seems so unlikely that sitting in front of this awkward lamp-thing would have such a marked effect, but it really truly does! After 3-5 days of waking up to 20-35 minute sessions with the Day-Light Classic, it's as though a chemical switch in my brain suddenly flips, and rapidly, my energy sky rockets along with my mood. I'm also able to maintain a normal sleep schedule leaving insomnia-riddled nights behind and actually being able to wake up in the morning to start my day. It all feels so good! Consistent Bright-Light Therapy almost puts me into a euphoric state (I can see why they warn against overuse--too much light could definitely lead to mania), but I'm loving the feeling. It certainly beats the depressed, horrible alternative. As for this particular unit by Carex, I'm very satisfied with it and actually own two of them! The Light Box itself is rugged and capable of surviving cross-country trips in checked baggage. The only drawback are the unit's telescoping legs which could be better designed. They're more fragile than the light box and are prone to contortion or eventual breakage. I've noticed that Carex has changed the leg design in newer models which appears to address the issues. The legs are KEY to positioning the light to receive treatment effectively, so be sure to preserve them well. I suggest removing the legs during transport (they unscrew easily as a single piece meaning no small parts like nuts or bolts to lose in the process) especially if you're going to take the unit in a checked bag on a flight. Should the unit's legs break--mine did once while attached to the light box on a flight (something must have happened to my bag as the piece of checked luggage containing the unit lost 2 wheels on this flight... American Airlines fail--then reach out to Carex customer support via email. I provided them with my unit's serial number (located on the accompanying documentation or on rear of unit), and they responded instantly asking for an address to send replacements at no cost! Bright-Light Therapy works! I've been spreading the news to family and friends garnering additional believers along the way. It seems too simple to be true, but it's probably the most effective SAD treatment I've come across. Sure, you've got to dedicate some effort to waking up and spending half an hour of your morning in front of the thing, and when you're depressed, that can be difficult at first. Yet the results start showing within a few days (compare that to weeks for Rx treatments that also come with side effects and doctors' appointments), and suddenly, you're springing awake each morning to get in front of the light and start your day. It's almost miraculous!

THIS PRODUCT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE. Hi - I'm a 30-year-old healthy, active male and have always considered myself to be an optimistic, "happy go lucky" type with a zest for life. Over the past decade, however, I have noticed a very gradual (and imperceptible at first) decline in my overall mood. I never suffered from full-blown depression fortunately (no suicide attempts, no days spent in bed with the shades drawn, etc), but there have been periods of time where I've just felt so down in the dumps and not like myself - I can't seem to face the world, my job, my friends, etc. I started seeing a psychiatrist two years ago who started me on an antidepressant - Lexapro - which did have a positive effect. This winter, however, I felt the pangs of depression creep back and started to feel suffocated and overwhelmed like I have in the past. In speaking with my psychiatrist, we realized together that there has been a seasonal pattern to my depressive symptoms stemming all the way back to my early 20's. Of course, it hasn't been exactly like clockwork, but in general, summers have been great while winters have been not-so-great. He recommended this light box and I started it one month ago. On the first day I felt a noticeable improvement in my mood and energy level and attributed it to a placebo effect. After the first week, I was pleasantly surprised that the improvement I noticed that first day had persisted. I still felt that it was too good to be true. It has now been one month (which admittedly is a relatively short period of time), but I feel as though I must share my experience with others because the effect that this simple little device has had on me has been tremendous. I feel energized, happy, optimistic and upbeat - I truly feel like myself again. I use the light box for 30 minutes every morning right after I wake up. I read, check email, surf the web, drink coffee, etc while sitting in front of the light. Before starting this, I was concerned that this treatment would require me to wake up 30 minutes earlier each morning and I am one of those people who NEEDS 8 hours of sleep. After the first few days of having to yank myself out of bed, I now look forward to it. Don't get me wrong, I'm still not springing out of bed with bells on, but I have been shocked by how effortlessly it has become a natural part of my morning routine. I attribute this to the overall improvement in my mood and energy level that the light box has given me - mornings aren't so bad anymore and I'm not clinging to the covers wishing I was asleep/avoiding the world. I cannot say whether this product is for everyone. Those who suffer from major depression will likely need antidepressant medication to adequately treat their symptoms. I am not certain whether I will continue to take Lexapro, or whether I will continue to use the light box in the summer. I will just have to play that by ear and monitor my mood. In short, this thing WORKS. It has a no strings attached 30-day guarantee, so why not give it a try? You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

The light arrived with one bulb jolted out of place, so only two of the three bulbs lit when turned on. This is apparently a relatively common problem, as a large part of the instructions manual is devoted to what to do if a bulb doesn't light upon receipt. It turned out that the bulb was just loose, but getting the machine apart was surprisingly difficult. There are 9 screws in the back of the machine and you need a long-shaft #2 Philips head screwdriver (ideally with a magnetic tip) to take it apart. OK, fine, not exactly brain surgery. But even if your machine arrives completely fine, every single user will eventually have to take it apart, as the bulbs are supposed to be replaced every two years for maximum effectiveness. (To be clear, the bulbs themselves are rated for 20,000 hours of use, so they are not expected to burn out within two years, but the User's Guide states that the bulbs "deteriorate over time [and] emit lower light intensity levels," and "we recommend replacing your light tubes after two years of use, regardless of whether they have burnt out.") With that in mind, it should be designed better, perhaps with a snap-on front with a smaller number of screws, and screws placed where you can actually see them instead of having to "feel around" for them with your screwdriver at the end of a long narrow shaft. Removing and inserting the bulbs themselves was very easy once we succeeded in getting the machine taken apart. Still, the entire process was way more difficult than it should have been for a machine that the manufacturer knows every user will eventually need to take apart. Incidentally, in the end, we could only get 8 of the 9 screws back in. The other issue is, who takes care of warranty-related service on the machine. We have 4 Philips head drivers in the house and none of them fit down the long narrow shafts (either too wide in diameter or not long enough to reach the screws at the end of the shafts). Before we could get to the hardware store, we called the manufacturer directly to ask what to do if the light turned out to be broken, as by that time we were running right up against the end of the 30-day period for resolving quality issues. The company said I needed to contact Amazon, as bulb issues at the time of purchase are handled by "the original place of purchase". I duly emailed Amazon and Amazon replied (amazingly quickly, mind you-- something like 40 minutes later) that I would instead need to contact the manufacturer to get the bulb replaced. In other words, it ping-ponged back and forth. The manufacturer said it was Amazon's problem, and Amazon said it was the manufacturer's responsibility. Since the bulb was merely dislodged, not broken, I ended up not having to pursue this, but anyone with a truly broken bulb might have some trouble getting such an issue resolved. Just something to be aware of. I also investigated the possibility of buying a (single) replacement bulb in case neither Amazon nor the manufacturer would give me a new bulb, and it appears that bulbs are only sold in three-bulb replacement packs (presumably so that you can change all the light tubes simultaneously every 2 years). This seems counter-intuitive to me, as if the manufacturer can't conceive of anyone wanting to replace a single bulb (from dropping the unit or otherwise). As for the light itself, I have found it harder than expected to find something to do for 30 minutes every morning that enables me to "look up" when using it, with it placed roughly in front of me, as the unit is not tall enough to extend over my computer monitor. That's a problem with my morning habits rather than a problem with the light. But, it's something to keep in mind when you consider purchasing this machine. A laptop will fit under the unit just fine, but if you are thinking of using it while checking email on a regular desktop machine, you'll need to put the unit to one side or the other. I am also using this on a 15-year-old dog that is too weak to go outside. The light is too bright for him, so he buries his face under a blanket and naps while he gets his "sunshine". You can Google "dogs + sunshine + calcium" (or vitamin D, metabolism, etc.) to get some good reasons for doing this. [Edit to add: One person commented that this is incorrect-- please click on the comments to read her helpful information.] So, 5 stars for the light itself, but minus 1 star for certain design issues and warranty issues that should really be resolved by the manufacturer. (As a side note, to respond to other users' comments, this unit had no "burning smell" whatsoever from Day One.)

--Warning for PHOTOSENSITIVES-- The Amazon description says this is "UV filtered and safe," but please do additional research if you have true photosensitivity. I have autoimmune skin issues related to sun exposure, so I bought this as a safer way to get bright morning light to reset my sleep schedule. Unfortunately, within 2 days of use (30 minutes each morning) I noticed a flare up of skin issues. I am EXTREMELY sun sensitive, with lupus-like symptoms and vitiligo (often burning within just 10 minutes of direct sun), so don't let this warning dissuade you unless you also have severe photosensitivity. I really wish I could have kept using the light! For MIGRAINE sufferers: I felt some subtle preliminary signs of migraine after first using the light (it is VERY bright) but they went away without becoming a migraine. I read online that you can try slowly working up to the full treatment time if you have light-triggered migraines, and I would have gladly done that if the skin issues hadn't made this a non-starter for me. --The GOOD News-- If I'd been able to keep using this, I think it would have made a big difference in my mood, even though I bought it for sleep issues. I get some mild symptoms of SAD, and I noticed after the first treatment that I had bizarrely positive feelings towards the machine. Weird! I was consciously looking forward to using it again, and if not for my sleep issues, I would have happily done a second treatment the first night! I'm actually very disappointed that I had to send it back. --Packaging-- Mine was not packed well (too little packing material allowed it to move around in the delivery box), but the manufacturer's packaging must be great because it arrived in good condition. --Designed for Desk or Tabletop Use Only-- I liked the clean design of this light (Day-Light also makes one that's meant to look more like a desk lamp). The adjustable leg height and light box tilt helped ensure the correct treatment distance for my shortish 5'4" height. My only concern was that in order to integrate this into my usual routine, I used it on a TV tray in front of the couch, and I was constantly worried about it getting knocked over. Even though the legs are stable when the screws are tight, the light portion makes it top-heavy, and the legs were right at the edges of my TV tray. If you don't already have a morning routine that includes 30 minutes at a standard table or desk, you may have to get creative about integrating this into your routine/house. The couch+TV tray solution would definitely NOT work for someone with rambunctious pets or small children. If I'd been able to continue using this product, I would have looked into buying the adjustable Day-Light floor stand (despite my irritation at paying an additional $75!), but only if the base fits under a standard couch. From the pictures online, it looks like it might not. --Overview-- From my brief use (and extensive pre-purchase research) I still think this is the best light therapy product on the market, and I'm extremely disappointed that I couldn't keep using it.

I have to admit- I was a bit skeptical about purchasing anything like this product. I have a few friends that have used this type of product with great success, but I wondered if it was just wishful thinking on their behalf. After having such a rainy summer and now we are back to the dismal winter season, I finally decided to give this idea a try. I researched a few products on the internet and this one became my choice to see if there is anything to this. And it appears there is. After setting this up- (and yes, it's helpful to have a 2nd set of hands to do this, as the legs are a just a tad woobley during the set up) right by my computer, where I start off each morning- I'm finding that the 30 mins fly by and the brightness of this light is very welcoming, and I look forward to using it, whereas, mornings used to be such a production to get up and started. It's too soon to tell the overall effect- but I have to admit, subtle as the changes are, I'm waking up easier. I'm hoping that this actually may help with resetting my circadian clock which is also mentioned to be effective for as well. The other issues this light has been recommended for are PMS and Antepartum Blues, Jet lag, Shift work adjustment along with non seasonal mood disorders. This unit comes with a very detailed and easy to understand guide- complete with photos to show correct ways to set up the light and how to use it properly. I haven't noticed any unusual or disturbing odors from the bulbs- other than the initial start up on the 1st day and that quickly went away. It will be interesting to see in a few weeks if the initial improvements that I am experiencing, continue to increase and this puts my skepticism to rest, once and for all! Definitely worth the try. UPDATED REVIEW-(2/14/2010) I definitely will keep this a 5 star rating- This really works well. I have been using it for less than a month and I use it every morning for 25-30 mins. This has been a pretty bleak winter overall, and I feel way better and have more energy than prior to using this light. I have recommended this to my other "unfortunate" friends who see very little sun during our winter months. I find I am getting more done through the day and my mood is way better than the usual blah slump I would find myself in previous years by this month! One minor thing I hope they improve upon is a stronger material for the legs, this has not toppled, but I can see that if you aren't careful, it could happen.

i bought this light to ease my SAD symptoms. i did a lot of research before deciding on this particular light, which on paper is great (proper amount/type of light, ability to adjust angle, built-in uv block, etc). this is what i like about the light: * it's large which means you don't have to keep your face in one direction - you can easily work on the computer, read a book, carry on a conversation, etc. * it's elevated by the legs so the light shines down on you - some SAD lights project light straight into your face which can be bad for your eyes and isn't as effective for easing SAD symptoms * you can adjust the angle - this makes the light more like sunlight, which also shines down at an angle. in addition, this makes the light more flexible so you can adjust it to suite your needs and comfort. * good cord length - i'd estimate about 7' long (didn't actually measure it). this is why i sent it back: * one of the legs would not screw in properly - i thought i had it at one point and was able to use it for a few days, but then i picked it up to move it one morning and the leg just fell right off. the flaw seems to be the threading that the leg screws into and a few other reviewers seem to have had the same problem so i don't think it's a fluke i also want to note that there was no plastic smell coming from the unit i had, nor did it overheat (i used it for 30min/day). however a lot of other reviews complain of these problems so it may be a hit or miss thing. i wish this product was built better. i gave it three stars because i think if it was more sturdy and made of higher quality materials it would be worthy of five stars. but alas, it is cheaply made, [mine was] unusable, and therefore i give it three stars for a good idea that came very close to working.

I purchased this for a family member that received a prescription for a "light box" from a psychiatrist. Instead of just taking what the medical supply had to offer, I did some research: I read that the CET (Center for Environmental Therapeutics) had used this model (Day-Light Classic) for the studies on SAD therapy. I also read that high color temperatures (particularly 6000K and above) can contribute to macular degeneration in significant doses. This light is rated at 4000K, which intentionally stays well out of that area, plus, as with all legitimate SAD light boxes, has a UV filter. Most other SAD light boxes are in the 5000K and are closer to the 6000K range - likely having much more of this potentially problematic frequency component. I further read of a Harvard study finding that higher temperature light is not any more beneficial for SAD light therapy and that light as low as 3000K was found just as effective. (Please do not confuse this with the 10,000 LUX rating - that is brightness and not color temperature.) The studies I found recommended a large light area that is held at eye level and slightly above, angled a bit downward. This model is the only one that I could find that satisfies all of these criteria and that was also listed as being used in some of the studies. ON SETUP: I read one review here about experiencing a lot of bad smell. This light box comes with elastics over the bulbs for shipping. If you don't want any smell, you will need to remove the back cover with the supplied screw driver and remove these elastics. I did this and had no smell come from the light fixture. The instructions mention this, but probably should recommend that this step be taken before the first use to avoid the smell. The threaded holes in the inner metal frame are apparently covered with a paint, so the first time you thread in the mount, it will be difficult - and be careful not to strip the threads - but once the screws cut through this coating that gets into threads, it does mount securely. I found that it helps to move the legs around a bit while making the last bit of tightening. Just from what I've researched, I personally believe that this is THE light box to buy for SAD light therapy, but the family member for whom it was prescribed is just starting to use it, so I cannot review on the effect on that particular person. I tried it myself for a couple of sessions and, when used in the proper position, found it to be much like walking outside into a bright day - in other words, I had to squint my eyes a bit for a couple of minutes, but then adjusted to it. It did not seem harsh like higher color temperature lights that are more likely to cause headaches. Sorry I do not have time to submit full references to the studies, but I hope this review helps those that need to make decisions on a SAD light box. If you search the web with terms like "SAD light box therapy" you will likely find the same studies I did.

After doing a bit of research, this was the only lamp that had the 10,000 lux (blue light therapy is bogus) with a UV filter, the correct angling of light, and clinical trials reporting effectiveness. After living in CA and AZ for a the last 10 years, I had no trouble remembering how depressed I felt in high-school after days of dreary Western PA winter. Now I'm back and after a couple of days of overcast weather I felt like I was back in high-school and I quickly shelled out the money for this lamp. One week in and the differences are this: *Before: getting home around 4:15 I wanted to fall asleep on my couch watching movies. After: Feel awake and energized enough to jump on my bike and do a 45-minute ride in 40 degree weather. *Before: binge eating at dinner to the point where I felt ill, but could not seem to control myself day-after-day. After: Desire to stuff my face--gone. Eating habits back to normal. *Before: feeling so sluggish at 8:30am that I would continue downing caffeine at work after my initial morning cup at home. After: Caffeine habit back to normal--1 cup of coffee upon awakening (6AM), 1 cup of black tea with lunch. I feel the biggest difference in the evenings once I get home. I have my normal energy restored and can work out after work and I'm not binge eating. I'm feeling tired when I should at 10PM and am waking up with out the terrible groggies. I should note that I am also taking vit D supplements now as well. ALSO, I made the rookie mistake of using this lamp for 10 minutes after work my first day--I could not fall asleep that night. This lamp is about getting your circadian rhythm back on track, not about tiny bursts of energy--use wisely. It can make you feel a tiny bit amped up, so be careful with this lamp. I make a habit of never using it past 9AM. I think it's also important to note I don't suffer from clinical depression, but I have depressive tendencies. I have never taken pharmacological meds. and have found success with the following methods: behavioral therapy, exercise, vitamins, mindful eating, and now, light therapy. I hope this could work for everyone at least a little though. From all the reading I've done it sounds like those with bi-polar disorder should talk with their doctor first as the lamp can make you feel a bit manic. Again, usage should be mindful, booklet instructions should be followed. COULD NOT BE HAPPIER! I have recommended this particular lamp to everyone. Almost can't believe the difference after 2 weeks of use. Thank you, thank you, Uplift Technologies. I sound like I work for them! :P

I live in Minnesota where it's winter about 65% of the year. A lot of cold, dark mornings where your alarm goes off and you want to stay in a warm snuggly bed because there's not a shred of sunlight to be found. I've struggled with wakefulness and SAD for the past few years, and decided, hey I could use a little piece of on-demand simulated sunlight! This is one of the best purchases I've made for myself in a long time, and I wish I got it sooner. I've been operating with my brain sleepy for so many semesters, I forgot what it was like to be awake, well-rested and active. In nursing school it's easy to wake up tired, be tired all day and then go to bed really tired, hoping that you'll feel rested in the morning to follow. For the first time in 4 years, I have experienced an end to that tiredness cycle. Get this lamp if you feel tired all the damn time! It's also one of the best studying lights I've ever used (I put it on the dim setting and point the lamp parallel to my desk over my book). I felt profound and significant effects right away, from the moment I turned my lamp on. It's now part of my morning routine, and I am phasing out my dosage of Wellbutrin. EDIT on 1/20/2010 I have found additional uses for this lamp. It helps keep my basil plants alive all year round and can be used to stimulate little seedlings to sprout. It is also a great light for making webcam vlogs video chats. No more looking like a zombie with the light of your monitor reflecting off of the shiny parts of your face and eyes. Helps to make you look more professional and less nerd-in-a-basement on camera. By far, the most awesome use I have had for this lamp is that it is a great makeup/vanity lamp. Simply sit at your desk with this lamp and set up a mirror and BAM you have simulated sunlight that helps you visualize clogged pores, hairs to tweeze and can help you get the right shade of foundation on. I learned the hard way that using the dim vanity in the bathroom could lead to disastrous results. Sitting at a desk with my makeup tools around beats hovering over the bathroom sink and occasionally knocking my stuff off the counter edge. You simply see things better with this light. I've used it while sketching, crafting etc. It's everything an OTT light is, and more. I highly recommend this lightbox. Not only does it simulate a natural spectrum of light, it also helps visualize colors accurately without any shifts in color that comes with incandescent bulbs. My eyes do not feel as fatigued because they're not straining to make out precise details. A sewer/crafter's delight!