Green light therapy is a new treatment that could benefit those suffering from migraine headaches and chronic pain. Studies have demonstrated that exposure to green light can reduce pain, improve sleep quality, and lift one’s spirits.
A clinical study conducted on patients with migraines exposed to white and green light for one or two hours daily over three months found that participants experienced a 60% reduction in their monthly migraine days. They also reported significant improvements in their ability to fall asleep quickly, stay asleep through the night, perform chores, and work more effectively.
According to research, a pathway from the eye to the ventrolateral geniculate nucleus (vLGN) is necessary for green light-induced analgesia. This area contains neurons that synthesize and secrete enkephalin, which then sends a signal to a brain region called the dorsal raphe nucleus that regulates pain perception.
People suffering from migraines must consider alternative therapies as the drugs typically prescribed can have unpleasant side effects or not provide adequate pain control. Thus, many are searching for more holistic solutions.
Recent research published in Cephalalgia suggests that exposure to green light may help reduce migraine pain. This is the first clinical trial to test green light therapy as a preventive treatment.
In the study, 29 migraine patients were exposed to either white or green light for one or two hours daily for ten weeks. Surveys and questionnaires measured their pain levels as well as the quality of life factors like sleep habits and activities on a daily basis.
The study revealed that green light treatment was generally successful for most of the patients studied, with only a few reporting any negative side effects. While these results are encouraging, further research is necessary to determine how much green light is necessary for pain relief and the most efficient ways of administering it.
It’s a relatively low-risk treatment available at home or the doctor’s office, with most insurance providers covering it. It has been reported to be safe and affordable compared to other treatments and has been found effective at relieving pain.
Researchers are still researching its exact mechanism, but preliminary results indicate that green light disrupts a connection between several brain regions associated with chronic pain. This could indicate that the treatment alters someone’s emotional response to experiencing sensations of discomfort.
That is why some doctors are now prescribing it as a supplement to other therapies like opioid medications and Botox injections. This is especially true for people suffering from chronic migraine who have often not found relief through traditional therapies and whose symptoms can have an enormous impact on their lives.
Green light therapy is becoming more and more popular, with multiple companies marketing it online for pain relief. It has also been used to treat fibromyalgia and HIV-related pain. Overall, green light therapy appears to be an effective and noninvasive solution to treating neurological conditions with little risk of adverse side effects.
