An excerpt from the FAQ on the Valkee daylight headset

What is the Valkee daylight headset even good for?
The Valkee is suitable for relieving symptoms of seasonal affective depression (SAD) - also known as the 'winter blues'. It is a light therapy device delivering daylight quality light to the brain. Typical symptoms of SAD are mood changes, lack of motivation, anxiety, fatigue and reduced cognitive performance during the autumn/winter seasons, during which the days get shorter and the nights get longer. Using the headset for 8-12 minutes a day can lift the mood and improve attentiveness, especially during the dark seasons. It has also been shown that the Valkee improves the psychomotor speed of professional athletes and the alertness of healthy adults.

What evidence is there that the Valkee actually works?
The company Valkee as well as third-party researchers have proven the Valkee's effectiveness as a light therapy device against SAD symptoms in research studies. This includes proof of the human brain being sensitive to light and daylight stimulating brain activity. It was also proven that daylight-like light that is sent to the brain via the ear canal stimulates the brain, as well as that this stimulation can effectively treat mood changes resulting from lack of light, fatigue and reduced cognitive performance. The research began in 2007 at the University of Oulu and involved over 20 scientists.

Can my ears perceive light?
The ears are not the destination, but rather the photo receptors in the brain. The daylight-like light is destined for the brain, so that the light can activate those areas of the brain that affect our mood. The ear canal simply offers the light a comfortable passage through the skull, so that it is then detected by the light-sensitive elements of the brain.

Isn't it dangerous to directly illuminate the human brain with a bright light?
No, because bright sunlight also penetrates the skull. A light treatment during winter is nothing new to the brain. It is simply supplied with light signals during the darker season as well, which moreover is a light without UV radiation. It is important that you use the Valkee light for 9-12 minutes a day in accordance with the instructions.

Are there any side effects associated with use of the Valkee?
The most common side effect is a harmless sensation of warmth in the ear canal. A few users have reported temporary headaches, insomnia or slight nausea. In this case, changing the time of treatment from morning to evening or vice versa can help enhance the treatment effect and alleviate potential side effects.

How is use of the Valkee different from using a traditional daylight lamp?
The Valkee offers a great advantage in terms of comfort: the device is small and portable, allowing you to take it wherever you go. Also, the application duration is shorter at only 8-12 minutes. With conventional light devices, the user must sit in front of the large lamp for 30 minutes or more.

Can I test the Valkee and then decide whether I want to keep it?
It is possible to test the Valkee and return it, provided the device is in a re-sellable condition. In other words: You can open the package, familiarize yourself with the device and give it a try, but you have to handle it with special caution.