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Wellnessproducts > Light therapy > Valkee research

The human brain responds to light that is not received via the eyes

A study shows that light that is sent to the brain via the ear canal rather than the eyes has an effect on the interaction of attention and emotion.
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Although it had already been known that light that is transmitted to the brain via the skull (transcranial) rather than by way of the eyes affects the brains of birds, it had not yet been clear whether the same applies to the human brain. In birds, light transmitted in this way is able to cause physical or biochemical changes, as well as seasonal changes in their behavior. A recent study has checked whether extraocular (not transmitted via the eyes) light has an impact on the human brain. 18 young, healthy subjects participated in the study. The brain's responses were measured using EEG and event-related potentials, while the subjects performed a visual attention task, which contained embedded emotional distractors. The extraocular light was administered via the ear canal, using the Bright Light Headset Valkee NPT1100. It is an UV-free and blue-enriched LED light with a maximum of 3.5 Lumen, which was transmitted via both ear canals.
The interesting discovery here was, that the extraocular light sent through the ear canal succeeded in canceling the normal emotional modulation of attention. When no extraocular light was being transmitted, the emotional distractions reduced the central parietal P300 amplitude in comparison with the neutral distractions. This means that extraocular light affects the human brain activity, although the cause of these effect mechanisms is yet to be examined.

It is known that the light in our environment doesn't just influence our behavior and our body via the traditional way of the eyes, but that many non-visual physiological functions, including circadian, neuroendocrine and neuro-psychological responses and mood changes, are also regulated by light. In animals, it has already been demonstrated that the skull is not completely impenetrable by light, but that light that finds its way through the skull has an effect on nerve metabolism.
This study was the first to examine how transcranial extraocular light affects the brain and human behavior. The EEG recordings were collected while subjects conducted a computer-based Go/NoGo visual attention test containing emotional distractors. The test was carried out in a soundproofed room with soft white ceiling light.

The revolutionary study demonstrated that extraocular light effectively influences the function of the human brain and that the brain responds to the light. The extraocular light modulated attention-related brain responses, namely in relation to the interaction of emotion and attention. The discovery of this fine effect of extraocular light can lead to new insights into the function of the human brain. Currently, the mechanism by which the light affects the human brain function is unclear. It is important to distinguish between which species it is, what type of cell, and also which physical properties the light has.
In any way, these study results, which demonstrate a change in the emotion-attention interaction, correlate with the potential effect daylight has on the mood.
Article - human brain reacts to transcranial extraocular light.pdf (1450 kB) 
Published on 12.04. by Thomas Toernell
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