Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLight Sensitivity and MigrainesHow Colors of Affect MigrainesGreen Light Therapy
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Light Sensitivity and Migraines
How Colors of Affect Migraines
Green Light Therapy
Bright lights can make a migraine worse, but evidence suggests that not all colors of light have the same effect. In research studies, blue light was found to intensify pain while green light was shown to improve migraine symptoms.This article explains why migraines can cause light sensitivity, how different colors of light have different effects, and how green light in particular may be therapeutic in people with migraines.Light Box Therapy for Better Sleep and MoodLight Sensitivity and MigrainesPhotophobia, which is increased sensitivity to or aversion to light, affects most people with migraines.When you have a migraine, you may feel that lights are brighter than they really are. Bright light can feel like it hurts your eyes, and you might instinctively squint, put sunglasses on, or put your hand above your eyes to create shade. Going into a dark room can help until the migraine passes.Often, exposure to bright light during a migraine can worsen the migraine itself. Researchers believe that receptors on theretinaof the eye (called photoreceptors) detect light and transmit signals to the cerebral cortex of the brain, where migraine pain is perceived.While it is generally not as debilitating as the actualmigraine pain, photophobia can limit your ability to function and interact with others.Verywell / Emily RobertsHow Colors of Light Affect MigrainesLight rays contain red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet rays. When these rays are all combined (as in sunlight), they make white light. Two colors in particular—blue and green—are of special interest when it comes to migraine prevention and treatment.Blue LightBlue light has a shorter wavelength and more energy than other rays of light. It often is a large component of white light.Sources of blue light include sunlight, cell phones, computer monitors, tablet screens, flat screen LED televisions, LED lights, and compact fluorescent light bulbs. In other words, blue light is everywhere.Photoreceptors are most sensitive to blue light, which is why scientists believe blue light exposure can worsen migraine pain.This is just one of thepossible triggersbehind migraines, but it is often a reason why some people with migraines experienceepisodes in a work settingwhere they stare at screens all day.Green LightGreen light does not activate retinal pathways as much as blue or other light rays, so it is less likely to induce a migraine. Furthermore, you are less likely to experience aversion or sensitivity to green light during a migraine attack.One 2018 study found that white, blue, amber, and red lights made headaches worse in 80% of the participants, while green light worsened headaches among 40%. And while other colors of lighttriggeredheadaches in 18% of participants, green light triggered headaches in only 3%.Another study published in 2016 found that exposure to green light significantly decreased light sensitivity in a small group of people with migraines. Of the participants, almost 80% reported more intense headaches with colored light exposure—all except green. In fact, about 20% experienced a decreased headache intensity with green light exposure.If you are considering light therapy for migraines, seasonal affective disorder, or another condition, green light is the least likely color to worsen or cause migraine pain, and may even soothe migraine pain.Using Green Light Therapy for MigrainesGreen light therapy can be used at home to ease symptoms during a migraine attack or as a form of preventative care. Special LED “migraine lamps” emit a narrow band of green light that activates regions of the brain involved in pain processing less than other colors. By using green light rather than conventional lighting, people with migraines can alleviate symptoms without hindering their daily activities.More research is needed to determine the best way to use light therapy to prevent migraines, though the effect of regular treatment is promising. In one 2020 study, migraine patients basked in green light for one to two hours daily while exercising, working, performing chores, and other activities. After 10 weeks of green light therapy, patients reported a significant decrease in the intensity and frequency of migraine episodes.Green light devices can be purchased online, however they are costly. Researchers who’ve studied the positive effects of green light on migraines are working on developing a more cost-effective lightbulb as well as sunglasses that only allow green light to penetrate.SummarySensitivity to light, or photophobia, is a common symptom of migraines, and can often be debilitating. Research that has looked at the effect of different colors of light has found that blue light is the most aggravating for people who experience migraines, while green light can actually be therapeutic. Green light therapy devices may be useful in relieving migraine pain.
Bright lights can make a migraine worse, but evidence suggests that not all colors of light have the same effect. In research studies, blue light was found to intensify pain while green light was shown to improve migraine symptoms.
This article explains why migraines can cause light sensitivity, how different colors of light have different effects, and how green light in particular may be therapeutic in people with migraines.
Light Box Therapy for Better Sleep and Mood
Photophobia, which is increased sensitivity to or aversion to light, affects most people with migraines.When you have a migraine, you may feel that lights are brighter than they really are. Bright light can feel like it hurts your eyes, and you might instinctively squint, put sunglasses on, or put your hand above your eyes to create shade. Going into a dark room can help until the migraine passes.
Often, exposure to bright light during a migraine can worsen the migraine itself. Researchers believe that receptors on theretinaof the eye (called photoreceptors) detect light and transmit signals to the cerebral cortex of the brain, where migraine pain is perceived.
While it is generally not as debilitating as the actualmigraine pain, photophobia can limit your ability to function and interact with others.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
How Colors of Light Affect Migraines
Light rays contain red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet rays. When these rays are all combined (as in sunlight), they make white light. Two colors in particular—blue and green—are of special interest when it comes to migraine prevention and treatment.
Blue Light
Blue light has a shorter wavelength and more energy than other rays of light. It often is a large component of white light.
Sources of blue light include sunlight, cell phones, computer monitors, tablet screens, flat screen LED televisions, LED lights, and compact fluorescent light bulbs. In other words, blue light is everywhere.
Photoreceptors are most sensitive to blue light, which is why scientists believe blue light exposure can worsen migraine pain.
This is just one of thepossible triggersbehind migraines, but it is often a reason why some people with migraines experienceepisodes in a work settingwhere they stare at screens all day.
Green Light
Green light does not activate retinal pathways as much as blue or other light rays, so it is less likely to induce a migraine. Furthermore, you are less likely to experience aversion or sensitivity to green light during a migraine attack.
One 2018 study found that white, blue, amber, and red lights made headaches worse in 80% of the participants, while green light worsened headaches among 40%. And while other colors of lighttriggeredheadaches in 18% of participants, green light triggered headaches in only 3%.
Another study published in 2016 found that exposure to green light significantly decreased light sensitivity in a small group of people with migraines. Of the participants, almost 80% reported more intense headaches with colored light exposure—all except green. In fact, about 20% experienced a decreased headache intensity with green light exposure.
If you are considering light therapy for migraines, seasonal affective disorder, or another condition, green light is the least likely color to worsen or cause migraine pain, and may even soothe migraine pain.
Using Green Light Therapy for Migraines
Green light therapy can be used at home to ease symptoms during a migraine attack or as a form of preventative care. Special LED “migraine lamps” emit a narrow band of green light that activates regions of the brain involved in pain processing less than other colors. By using green light rather than conventional lighting, people with migraines can alleviate symptoms without hindering their daily activities.
More research is needed to determine the best way to use light therapy to prevent migraines, though the effect of regular treatment is promising. In one 2020 study, migraine patients basked in green light for one to two hours daily while exercising, working, performing chores, and other activities. After 10 weeks of green light therapy, patients reported a significant decrease in the intensity and frequency of migraine episodes.
Green light devices can be purchased online, however they are costly. Researchers who’ve studied the positive effects of green light on migraines are working on developing a more cost-effective lightbulb as well as sunglasses that only allow green light to penetrate.
Summary
Sensitivity to light, or photophobia, is a common symptom of migraines, and can often be debilitating. Research that has looked at the effect of different colors of light has found that blue light is the most aggravating for people who experience migraines, while green light can actually be therapeutic. Green light therapy devices may be useful in relieving migraine pain.
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.Martin LF, Patwardhan AM, Jain SV, et al.Evaluation of green light exposure on headache frequency and quality of life in migraine patients: A preliminary one-way cross-over clinical trial.Cephalalgia. 2021;41(2):135-147. doi: 10.1177/0333102420956711Wu Y, Hallett M.Photophobia in neurologic disorders.Transl Neurodegener. 2017;6:26. doi:10.1186/s40035-017-0095-3Bernstein CA, Nir RR, Noseda R, et al.The migraine eye: distinct rod-driven retinal pathways' response to dim light challenges the visual cortex hyperexcitability theory.Pain.2019;160(3):569-578. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001434Noseda R, Bernstein CA, Nir RR, et al.Migraine photophobia originating in cone-driven retinal pathways.Brain. 2016;139(Pt 7):1971-86. doi:10.1093/brain/aww119Nir RR, Lee AJ, Huntington S, et al.Color-selective photophobia in ictal vs interictal migraineurs and in healthy controls.Pain. 2018;159(10):2030–2034. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001303Martin LF, Patwardhan AM, Jain SV, et al.Evaluation of green light exposure on headache frequency and quality of life in migraine patients: A preliminary one-way cross-over clinical trial.Cephalalgia. 2021;41(2):135-147. doi: 10.1177/0333102420956711Harvard Medical School.Green light for migraine relief.
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.Martin LF, Patwardhan AM, Jain SV, et al.Evaluation of green light exposure on headache frequency and quality of life in migraine patients: A preliminary one-way cross-over clinical trial.Cephalalgia. 2021;41(2):135-147. doi: 10.1177/0333102420956711Wu Y, Hallett M.Photophobia in neurologic disorders.Transl Neurodegener. 2017;6:26. doi:10.1186/s40035-017-0095-3Bernstein CA, Nir RR, Noseda R, et al.The migraine eye: distinct rod-driven retinal pathways' response to dim light challenges the visual cortex hyperexcitability theory.Pain.2019;160(3):569-578. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001434Noseda R, Bernstein CA, Nir RR, et al.Migraine photophobia originating in cone-driven retinal pathways.Brain. 2016;139(Pt 7):1971-86. doi:10.1093/brain/aww119Nir RR, Lee AJ, Huntington S, et al.Color-selective photophobia in ictal vs interictal migraineurs and in healthy controls.Pain. 2018;159(10):2030–2034. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001303Martin LF, Patwardhan AM, Jain SV, et al.Evaluation of green light exposure on headache frequency and quality of life in migraine patients: A preliminary one-way cross-over clinical trial.Cephalalgia. 2021;41(2):135-147. doi: 10.1177/0333102420956711Harvard Medical School.Green light for migraine relief.
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.
Martin LF, Patwardhan AM, Jain SV, et al.Evaluation of green light exposure on headache frequency and quality of life in migraine patients: A preliminary one-way cross-over clinical trial.Cephalalgia. 2021;41(2):135-147. doi: 10.1177/0333102420956711Wu Y, Hallett M.Photophobia in neurologic disorders.Transl Neurodegener. 2017;6:26. doi:10.1186/s40035-017-0095-3Bernstein CA, Nir RR, Noseda R, et al.The migraine eye: distinct rod-driven retinal pathways' response to dim light challenges the visual cortex hyperexcitability theory.Pain.2019;160(3):569-578. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001434Noseda R, Bernstein CA, Nir RR, et al.Migraine photophobia originating in cone-driven retinal pathways.Brain. 2016;139(Pt 7):1971-86. doi:10.1093/brain/aww119Nir RR, Lee AJ, Huntington S, et al.Color-selective photophobia in ictal vs interictal migraineurs and in healthy controls.Pain. 2018;159(10):2030–2034. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001303Martin LF, Patwardhan AM, Jain SV, et al.Evaluation of green light exposure on headache frequency and quality of life in migraine patients: A preliminary one-way cross-over clinical trial.Cephalalgia. 2021;41(2):135-147. doi: 10.1177/0333102420956711Harvard Medical School.Green light for migraine relief.
Martin LF, Patwardhan AM, Jain SV, et al.Evaluation of green light exposure on headache frequency and quality of life in migraine patients: A preliminary one-way cross-over clinical trial.Cephalalgia. 2021;41(2):135-147. doi: 10.1177/0333102420956711
Wu Y, Hallett M.Photophobia in neurologic disorders.Transl Neurodegener. 2017;6:26. doi:10.1186/s40035-017-0095-3
Bernstein CA, Nir RR, Noseda R, et al.The migraine eye: distinct rod-driven retinal pathways' response to dim light challenges the visual cortex hyperexcitability theory.Pain.2019;160(3):569-578. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001434
Noseda R, Bernstein CA, Nir RR, et al.Migraine photophobia originating in cone-driven retinal pathways.Brain. 2016;139(Pt 7):1971-86. doi:10.1093/brain/aww119
Nir RR, Lee AJ, Huntington S, et al.Color-selective photophobia in ictal vs interictal migraineurs and in healthy controls.Pain. 2018;159(10):2030–2034. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001303
Harvard Medical School.Green light for migraine relief.
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