Some of the potential side effects that may occur include:
PhotophobiaChris McGrath / Staff / Getty ImagesThe light emanating from the light box itself may prove bothersome, inciting a case of photophobia (literally, “fear of light”). If you have this symptom, you may experience a light sensitivity that may even cause eye pain.Associated symptoms may include squinting. You may find that the light is irritating and something you simply feel compelled to avoid. This may lead to looking away from the light excessively and intolerance that shortens the treatment period.
Photophobia
Chris McGrath / Staff / Getty Images
The light emanating from the light box itself may prove bothersome, inciting a case of photophobia (literally, “fear of light”). If you have this symptom, you may experience a light sensitivity that may even cause eye pain.Associated symptoms may include squinting. You may find that the light is irritating and something you simply feel compelled to avoid. This may lead to looking away from the light excessively and intolerance that shortens the treatment period.
HeadacheTetra Images / Getty ImagesA headache may result from the use of a light box, especially if you are prone to migraine headaches.The bright light may intensify the discomfort. It may come on suddenly. Some may fade quickly with discontinuation while others could persist for a prolonged period.
Headache
Tetra Images / Getty Images
A headache may result from the use of a light box, especially if you are prone to migraine headaches.The bright light may intensify the discomfort. It may come on suddenly. Some may fade quickly with discontinuation while others could persist for a prolonged period.
FatigueGhislain & Marie David de Lossy / Getty ImagesCuriously, the light box may incite a case of fatigue. This may occur if yourcircadian rhythmbecomes shifted inappropriately. Using the light in the evening when you are a night owl, for example, would cause worsened morning fatigue. Your body may suddenly be compelled to sleep later into the morning and as a result, you will naturally feel fatigued at that time with difficulty waking. This would also be associated with difficulty falling asleep at the beginning of the night, or sleep-onset insomnia, as discussed later.
Fatigue
Ghislain & Marie David de Lossy / Getty Images
Curiously, the light box may incite a case of fatigue. This may occur if yourcircadian rhythmbecomes shifted inappropriately. Using the light in the evening when you are a night owl, for example, would cause worsened morning fatigue. Your body may suddenly be compelled to sleep later into the morning and as a result, you will naturally feel fatigued at that time with difficulty waking. This would also be associated with difficulty falling asleep at the beginning of the night, or sleep-onset insomnia, as discussed later.
IrritabilityHero Images / Getty ImagesIn some people, the use of a light box may result in increased irritability.You may find yourself losing your patience with others, becoming annoyed, and unexpectedly snapping at them. This may have negative impacts on professional or personal relationships. There can be other mood changes as well.
Irritability
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In some people, the use of a light box may result in increased irritability.You may find yourself losing your patience with others, becoming annoyed, and unexpectedly snapping at them. This may have negative impacts on professional or personal relationships. There can be other mood changes as well.
Hypomaniadreamers reside here / Getty ImagesThere are few situations where a light box can provoke an episode of hypomania.Mania is a period of elevated mood and increased activity. It often occurs cyclically with bipolar disorder. In predisposed individuals, the light box may cause a milder form of a manic period called hypomania. This may be tolerable, but it could also lead to some adverse behavioral changes.
Hypomania
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There are few situations where a light box can provoke an episode of hypomania.Mania is a period of elevated mood and increased activity. It often occurs cyclically with bipolar disorder. In predisposed individuals, the light box may cause a milder form of a manic period called hypomania. This may be tolerable, but it could also lead to some adverse behavioral changes.
InsomniaPeter Dazeley / Photographer’s Choice / Getty ImagesFinally, the light box itself may cause difficulties falling or staying asleep called insomnia. Again, this likely relates to a shift in the circadian rhythm and the body’s desire to sleep. If the light box is used at the wrong time, such as in the evening in night owls, it may result in improper timing and a delay of sleep. This is one reason why it can be important to avoidscreen lightbefore bedtime.
Insomnia
Peter Dazeley / Photographer’s Choice / Getty Images
Finally, the light box itself may cause difficulties falling or staying asleep called insomnia. Again, this likely relates to a shift in the circadian rhythm and the body’s desire to sleep. If the light box is used at the wrong time, such as in the evening in night owls, it may result in improper timing and a delay of sleep. This is one reason why it can be important to avoidscreen lightbefore bedtime.
Ways to Alleviate Side Effects
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A Word From VerywellIf you have questions or concerns, you should speak with your healthcare provider about your treatment and possible alternatives. Traditional light boxes, and even newer light therapy glasses, can provide relief in those who need the treatment. It is possible to sleep normally and feel better, and phototherapy with a light box may help.
A Word From Verywell
If you have questions or concerns, you should speak with your healthcare provider about your treatment and possible alternatives. Traditional light boxes, and even newer light therapy glasses, can provide relief in those who need the treatment. It is possible to sleep normally and feel better, and phototherapy with a light box may help.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Blume C, Garbazza C, Spitschan M.Effects of light on human circadian rhythms, sleep and mood.Somnologie. 2019;23(3):147-156. doi: 10.1007/s11818-019-00215-xCampbell PD, Miller AM, Woesner ME.Bright light therapy: seasonal affective disorder and beyond.Einstein J Biol Med. 2017;32:E13-E25. PMID: 31528147U.S. Library of Medicine, ClinicalTrials.gov.The effects of light therapy on circadian rhythms, sleep, and mood in postpartum disease.Brouwer A, Nguyen HT, Snoek FJ, et al.Light therapy: is it safe for the eyes?Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2017;136(6):534-548. doi: 10.1111/acps.12785Botanov Y, Ilardi SS.The acute side effects of bright light therapy: a placebo-controlled investigation.Goel N, ed.PLoS ONE. 2013;8(9):e75893. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075893Xie Y, Tang Q, Chen G, et al.New insights into the circadian rhythm and its related diseases.Front Physiol. 2019;10:682. Published 2019 Jun 25. doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.00682Benedetti F.Rate of switch from bipolar depression into mania after morning light therapy: A historical review.Psychiatry Research. 2018;261:351-356. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2018.01.013Additional ReadingKryger MH,et al. “Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine.”Elsevier, 6th edition, 2017.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Blume C, Garbazza C, Spitschan M.Effects of light on human circadian rhythms, sleep and mood.Somnologie. 2019;23(3):147-156. doi: 10.1007/s11818-019-00215-xCampbell PD, Miller AM, Woesner ME.Bright light therapy: seasonal affective disorder and beyond.Einstein J Biol Med. 2017;32:E13-E25. PMID: 31528147U.S. Library of Medicine, ClinicalTrials.gov.The effects of light therapy on circadian rhythms, sleep, and mood in postpartum disease.Brouwer A, Nguyen HT, Snoek FJ, et al.Light therapy: is it safe for the eyes?Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2017;136(6):534-548. doi: 10.1111/acps.12785Botanov Y, Ilardi SS.The acute side effects of bright light therapy: a placebo-controlled investigation.Goel N, ed.PLoS ONE. 2013;8(9):e75893. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075893Xie Y, Tang Q, Chen G, et al.New insights into the circadian rhythm and its related diseases.Front Physiol. 2019;10:682. Published 2019 Jun 25. doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.00682Benedetti F.Rate of switch from bipolar depression into mania after morning light therapy: A historical review.Psychiatry Research. 2018;261:351-356. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2018.01.013Additional ReadingKryger MH,et al. “Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine.”Elsevier, 6th edition, 2017.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Blume C, Garbazza C, Spitschan M.Effects of light on human circadian rhythms, sleep and mood.Somnologie. 2019;23(3):147-156. doi: 10.1007/s11818-019-00215-xCampbell PD, Miller AM, Woesner ME.Bright light therapy: seasonal affective disorder and beyond.Einstein J Biol Med. 2017;32:E13-E25. PMID: 31528147U.S. Library of Medicine, ClinicalTrials.gov.The effects of light therapy on circadian rhythms, sleep, and mood in postpartum disease.Brouwer A, Nguyen HT, Snoek FJ, et al.Light therapy: is it safe for the eyes?Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2017;136(6):534-548. doi: 10.1111/acps.12785Botanov Y, Ilardi SS.The acute side effects of bright light therapy: a placebo-controlled investigation.Goel N, ed.PLoS ONE. 2013;8(9):e75893. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075893Xie Y, Tang Q, Chen G, et al.New insights into the circadian rhythm and its related diseases.Front Physiol. 2019;10:682. Published 2019 Jun 25. doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.00682Benedetti F.Rate of switch from bipolar depression into mania after morning light therapy: A historical review.Psychiatry Research. 2018;261:351-356. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2018.01.013
Blume C, Garbazza C, Spitschan M.Effects of light on human circadian rhythms, sleep and mood.Somnologie. 2019;23(3):147-156. doi: 10.1007/s11818-019-00215-x
Campbell PD, Miller AM, Woesner ME.Bright light therapy: seasonal affective disorder and beyond.Einstein J Biol Med. 2017;32:E13-E25. PMID: 31528147
U.S. Library of Medicine, ClinicalTrials.gov.The effects of light therapy on circadian rhythms, sleep, and mood in postpartum disease.
Brouwer A, Nguyen HT, Snoek FJ, et al.Light therapy: is it safe for the eyes?Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2017;136(6):534-548. doi: 10.1111/acps.12785
Botanov Y, Ilardi SS.The acute side effects of bright light therapy: a placebo-controlled investigation.Goel N, ed.PLoS ONE. 2013;8(9):e75893. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075893
Xie Y, Tang Q, Chen G, et al.New insights into the circadian rhythm and its related diseases.Front Physiol. 2019;10:682. Published 2019 Jun 25. doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.00682
Benedetti F.Rate of switch from bipolar depression into mania after morning light therapy: A historical review.Psychiatry Research. 2018;261:351-356. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2018.01.013
Kryger MH,et al. “Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine.”Elsevier, 6th edition, 2017.
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