Seasonal Depression [suggested To Be Treated With Light Headphones]

Seasonal depression [suggested to be treated with light headphones]

Finnish scientists have developed luminous earmuffs to treat seasonal depression. The device is designed to irradiate parts of the brain where light-sensitive proteins have been detected through the ear canals. In clinical trials of the device, after daily radiation sessions for four weeks, 10 out of 13 patients disappeared symptoms of seasonal depression.

Illustration by Valkee /

Scientists from Finland have developed light earmuffs to treat seasonal depression, Medical Xpress reports. The tests of the new device were carried out by a group of specialists from the University of Oulu led by Juuso Nissilä. The device was manufactured by Valkee.

Light therapy is one of the most effective treatments for seasonal depression, which usually occurs during the winter. In the course of treatment, patients are irradiated with sunlight or exposed to radiation from artificial sources that are close to the solar characteristics.

In previous research, Nissila found the light-sensitive retinal protein opsin-3 in 18 different areas of the brain. Especially a lot of opsin was found in those parts of the brain where the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and melatonin are synthesized. These substances are responsible for the transmission of nerve impulses and are involved in the regulation of many aspects of life, including mood and circadian rhythms.

Nissila suggested that light can be used not only to influence the visual analyzer of patients with seasonal depression, but also to directly irradiate the parts of the brain where opsin-3 is detected through the ear canals. In this regard, he developed headphones that have built-in LEDs.

Clinical trials of the new device were conducted with the participation of 13 patients with symptoms of seasonal depression. For four weeks, they used light headphones daily for 8-12 minutes. At the end of the study, ten people were in complete remission of the disease.

Nissila and his colleagues plan to organize a larger clinical trial. Scientists also intend to expand the list of indications for the use of the new device, including migraines, as well as a change in the time zone syndrome (the so-called "jetlag").