Light and headaches, a well-known relationship and according to the research published by Harvard.edu, nearly 15% of the world’s population is dealing with it. Bright lights can intensify migraine attacks and during a migraine attack, disinclination to light is very common.
As counterintuitive, light therapy is used to alleviate sleep problems and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This article focuses on helping you understand the difference between colored light rays and their effect on migraines.
It is important to understand this difference before you can understand how color LED lights help with headaches. Besides, we will also suggest a suitable color LED light to alleviate headaches.
Let’s get started!
We picked the best LED Lights that won’t trigger migraines or eye problems for you:
Flicker-Free, Protect You From Eye Fatigue and Headaches, Great for Reading and Working: Lampat LED Desk Lamp
With Brightness Varieties for Crafting and Relaxing: Verilux LED Floor Lamps
With LED Filter, Shine Even Bright Light, Great for Brightening up Your Home: Brightech LED Torchiere Lamp
Why LED Light Triggers Migraines?
Although LED lights are presented as healthier for our environment, the unnatural technique they use causes serious disturbance in our eyes. In fact, it has also been proved that proposes LED lighting to be harmful to the health of humans, as well as animals and plants.
The main reason LED light triggers migraines and eye strain is the flickering technology used in them. LEDs may only be turned on and off completely, hence, they noticeably flicker more to counterfeit dimmer light.
On the other hand, LED bulbs can turn on and off in a strobe like effect about a hundred times per second, causing malfunctioning of our eyes and several other symptoms.
Our health is affected by both temporal light modulation and the spectral composition of LED bulbs.
How to Solve?
Unfortunately, there have not been any effective alternatives to counter the headache problem triggered by LED. Besides, with LED and fluorescent lighting surrounding us, it gets even more difficult to avoid this.
However, you can take protective measures to tackle this issue. In this regard, Fl-41 precision-tinted lenses are one such reliable invention that is an effective way to treat photophobia.
A clinical study suggests that people who wear Fl-41 lenses experienced 74% fewer migraine attacks. These lenses filter the wavelength to mitigate their effects for individuals with photophobia.
Hence, if you need a reliable and clinically proven solution to prevent migraine attacks, then Fl-41 lenses can provide you relief.
On the other hand, you can buy LED lamps with flicker-free technology.
Also Read: How to Choose the Best Sun Lamps for Office?
What Color LED Light Is Good for Migraines? Why?
Green color LED light is found to be good for migraines compared to other lights.
Green LED light is less likely to cause migraines, as it does not stimulate retinal pathways like blue or other light rays. In addition, during a migraine episode, you are less likely to have aversion or sensitivity to green light.
Another 2016 study indicates that green light exposure in a small group of migraineurs significantly reduced light sensitivity.
With colored light exposure, almost 80% of the individuals experienced more intense headaches, all except green. Interestingly, the intensity of headache with green light was lowered by almost 20 percent.
Green light therapy is one of the most popular therapies for people with light sensitivity. You can consider this therapy if you want to soothe your migraine pain.
This therapy is not all about the green light bulb or green glow. It involves a special lamp that illuminates the narrow-band green of green light. You spend some time under this special lamp while filtering out all other lights.
Also Read: How to Choose the Best Craft Lamps?
What Color LED Light Is Bad for Migraines? Why?
Blue color LED light is considered bad for migraines. In both LED and fluorescent bulbs predominance of blue light, waves expose us to deleterious levels of light.
Compared to light waves of other colors, blue rays carry shorter wavelengths and greater energy.
Souce of blue light includes smartphones, LED lights, LED TVs, tablet screens, computer monitors, and sunlight. In conclusion, we are surrounded by blue lights.
How to Improve LED Light Sensitivity?
As mentioned above, it is impossible for anyone to completely get rid of light sensitivity or photophobia. But a few measures can be taken to improve LED light sensitivity. They are the following:
1. Use color filtering features on your computer or smartphone instead of artificially dimming it.
2. Wear precision-tinted eyewear like Fl-41 lenses or Theraspecs to filter the detrimental wavelengths and flicker.
3. Due to the high contrast of light sensitivity, avoid over-using LED lighted devices in the evening and in dark environments. You can take a break of a few mins after every 40-60 minutes.
4. Minimize the impacts of LED light while driving or try driving glasses at night.
5. Try out different kinds of lighting such as a warm lamp, organic LED, and other alternatives. Most importantly, you need to pay close attention to how you feel in a specific light and if it works well for you.
You can try out these tips to improve your LED light sensitivity, hopefully, these tips will be viable and you will get positive outcomes.
What Else Complementary Therapy for Headaches?
Here a few complementary therapies for headaches you can try
1. Getting Enough Sleep: One of the main reasons people deal with health conditions is due to bad sleep. Not sleeping well can cause headaches as well. Be consistent with your sleeping hours. You can read or take a warm bath to make yourself relax before bedtime.
Moreover, you must avoid eating any food for at least 2 hours before bed.
2. Eating Good Nutrition: You have to initiate a healthy diet plan for yourself and avoid skipping your meals.
3. Get Physically Active: Physical Activity is one of the most essential factors for optimal health. Exercising daily can help you in detoxing your body from chemicals that block pain signals.
4. Eat Magnesium: A study suggests that migraine attack also relates to deficiency of magnesium. You can consult your doctor for the best advice on what foods you should consume. And here are a few magnesium-rich sources; eggs, leafy greens, nuts, low-fat yogurt, and seeds.
Also Read: Which Is Better: Halogen vs Incandescents?
FAQs
1. Do LED Lights Help with Headaches?
Only green color LED lights help with alleviating headaches and not all colors. You can take green light therapy to lessen your headache
2. Can Blue LED Lights Give You a Headache?
Yes, blue LED lights can give you a headache. Blue lights carry a shorter wavelength and great energy and use abnormal techniques that can cause headaches.
Conclusion
The benefits and effectiveness of green light therapy are still inconclusive, however, several studies do find it good for alleviating headaches. So before you spend your money on green LED lights or lamps, consider talking to your doctor first.
