A tip for those out there interested in SAD lamps but are finding the cost too expensive -- check out your local library! A lot of libraries now have a "Library of Things" where you can check out tools, games and other items. My library had SAD lamps for checkout and I was able to check one out for free. :)
I hated the glare of SAD lamps, but they worked for me. Last winter, I found an alternative that I love a lot more: Indoor plants with grow lights by my desk. Now I have these brightly lit plants beside me at my work desk all day long. However, the entire setup was more expensive, takes more space and effort than a typical SAD lamp.
I live pretty far north in CONUS. SAD can be brutal, especially with brutal winter weather my spouse was seriously affected. A friend who grows retired his metal halide lamp in favor of LED grow lamps. In lieu of a couple hundred bucks he owed me, he gave me a used metal halide grow light with a new bulb. I wired it to the ceiling in a finished basement in our house. It was so bright we seriously had to wear sunglasses. Warm too although the basement was centrally heated. We moved a couple of reclining lawn chairs in and generally used it for 1-2 hours per day. My spouse and I would usually just play with the kids (tumbling mats, etc) or sometimes read. It was massively effective for treating SAD for the while family for just about 25 cents per day. The only downside was the cops showed up for a quick peek. They said the light coming from the window wells after dinner looked like we had a UFO in the basement.
Summary: They work, BUT: - not as well as actual sunlight - only if you actually have S.A.D., so talk to a doctor first. - only used properly (30+ minutes/day) and actual SAD lamps with proper brightness etc. Other considerations: - They are big (can take up a fair bit of space) - relatively low risk (no side effects, virtually no drug interactions, etc)
i get SAD but only in spring, and its HEAVY, like Suicidal thoughts SAD symptoms for about 1-2 weeks. Bought a lamp ill use before my morning walk every morning - itll arrive next week im excited. Ill never cheat - i use my phone the first 30 min every morning, will use my lamp during that time
My boyfriend says I need one of these. I have never really enjoyed winter I just want to sit in my bed with my blankets and do nothing all day. In the summer I am so much happier spending so much time outside in the fresh air and I love the warmth from the sun. For me this probably won’t work. I work night shift so I don’t think lack of sun is the problem. It’s cold and gloomy when I look outside.
Actually I do think you need it because that's one of the symptoms of SAD. Not wanting to do anything during the winter time or when it's gloomy and your mood is pushed way down, it's a total change of personality as compared to you when it's sunny.
You mentioned in your video that one of the important aspects of a good Sad Lamp is that the lamp meets specifications. But I don't quite understand what exactly the specifications for a SAD Lamp actually are.... Would you mind filling me in as far as what these specification actually are. Is it a specific wave length of light or a specific duration of exposure time to the lamp? Just wondering???? Thank You! Robert M.
I recommend going to a doctor, but I copied it from another comment • 10,000 lux (measure of light intensity & concentration) at a distance of ~1 foot • Light emitting area of at least 1 square foot • Well under 1% UV light emitted • Color temperature somewhere in the range of 3,000-5,000 Kelvin • Ideally, adjustable so it’s at eye level and pointing downward
I wonder if one can use a photography lamp? Some look just like those in the video. They use LED's. A person can adjust the "warmth" of the light, and intensity. And if you do photography you can mount them on your tripod, assuming you get one that doesn't come with a tripod of its own.
the best thing for me is prob psychological is just makes me feel better i wake up every day and want to cry the longer i lay there the worse it gets so i get up and put the lamp on living in the uk i hardly get any sunlight working the graveyard shift sleeping late into the afternoon.
I dig your videos, but I don’t suppose that Wirecutter could send you an external mic ahead of when you next make a video? Maybe even a lav or the like?
you could try using hypnaogigc flickering lamps like Roxiva, Lucia, Ajna and Pandora Star... they are way more powerful than SAD lamps. In a nutshell, to increase serotonin levels you need a lot of light exposure, serotonin is a precursor to melatonin... so overall better sleep! flickering lamps have the added benefit of putting you into deep meditative states really quick... as well as having a very visual experience with your eyes closed... as you unlocks your visual nerve. For E.g, if you want to achieve deep theta states, the flickering light frequencies matches the theta brainwave frequencies measured 5hz to 7 hz (cycles per second), using software, the hypnagogic lamps will "pump out" the exact "light" frequency of 5-7hz
I have been using one for years. I live in Alaska and right now the sun does come out its not till noon and then the sun is setting around three thirty. It can sit next to you while you read the newspaper or something. I also take vitamin D. You are pretty much always clothed to the max here, so a vit. D supplement is necessary.
• 10,000 lux (measure of light intensity & concentration) at a distance of ~1 foot • Light emitting area of at least 1 square foot • Well under 1% UV light emitted • Color temperature somewhere in the range of 3,000-5,000 Kelvin • Ideally, adjustable so it’s at eye level and pointing downward
This video could have been much better with some straightforward improvements. The host takes way too much screen time and the professional, who actually knows something about the topic, too little. Editing is also too busy and childish for such a serious topic. Of course the advertisement in the middle of the video about lamp picks is just completely invalid. You can't put a sponsored ad in like that for a 6 minute video, on which you didn't even have had to invest that much time, energy and resources.
As someone who got SAD (or at the very least, seasonal depression) in summer in Florida, I know lack of light is not the only occurrence. I live in a Northern State now and I have wanted to consider getting a light just in case, but I'm thinking my smart bulbs being on timers to wake me up and stay on til 7/8pm may help me.
Smart bulbs and SAD lamps are not the same. SAD lamps shouldn't emite UV lights. Bulbs emite UV lights, that's why dermatologist suggest to use suncream indoors.
@@Usagi1017 Sorry that’s just not true. Household lights do not emit UV at 3 and above, which is when you need protection. General recommendations for sunscreen inside are to maintain habit of daily wear, or in case you are near a window where the sun is UV 3 or above. Anything else is just fear mongering.
@@DonnaMartinezEdD My sister was complying about her small kitchen was too dark . I bought her a 4 light 4 foot fluorescent fixture with daylight bulbs .🌞😃 this was 20 years ago .
My plan is to set up a lamp right by my work station since I work remote. Since my computers face the windows, I need lighting anyway so this helped me pull the trigger on the purchase.. still expensive though
Other way around: place quality light bulbs with 4000k+ color rendering in direction you spend a lot of time looking at Like computer monitor, having bright "background" what won't contrast with your bright monitor will make your eyes tire less Or replace lightbulbs to MUCH higher power in one of your rooms, like bathroom for example, buy second hand studio bulbs 100w+ with really nice color rendering at fraction of SAD lamp price AND if you want to go REALLY cheap, mount regular small COB LEDs on glasses aimed towards eyes, meaning lots of light in eyes with very little power
Thank you. I still would like to know how to tell the difference between SAD and a common dislike of winter cold weather and difficulty getting outside. Does it work for everyone? I have hearing aides and the echo in your room makes it very hard to hear what you are saying. Your voice is nice and clean but the echo muddies your voice.
Not sure if this is as good but I just picked up 2 bulbs at Walmart made my Feit for $8 each. They claim to be full spectrum circadian rhythm bulbs. Does anybody have any experience with them?
i bought one for $10 off Craigslist. I know that it is not the be-all-end-all. Diet, exercise, etc are more important. However, after one week, I feel like my rhythms are much better (with less time half asleep). Good luck.
I can't help but feel replacing your light bulbs with nicer white LED lights is going to be much better than just shoving a lamp in your face. That way you can just... turn your house lights on. I wanted to get one of these but it just feels so ridiculous after researching more. I guess if you somehow don't have the option to replace your lightbulbs it would be helpful.
Normal light globes are nowhere near as bright as the sun, so your brain doesn't have the same response to them. If you buy +10k lux globes for your house then J think it's fine.
for me I feel its trauma based at this point. i can think of winter in the summer and get depressed. i think i need some trauma therapy and EMDR on my winter trauma ....
Ghastly work. I bailed at 1:03, between the irritating, pointless music and the echo-y sound of her badly miked voice. This is from the NYT? Could you get a bit more professional?
HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH Go to a doctor and get a formal recommendation! AHHAAHHA. And where are we supposed to go for that exactly lmao… All the actual psychiatrists, not social workers, psychiatrists… sorry not sorry. Are too overloaded and/or just poping pills. Source? Been on the loosing end of a battle for quite a few years now and there’s no *actual* help to be found. Lord knows I’ve tried…. Unfortunately for me I’m one of the lucky ones who got problems outside of the basics of psychology (anxiety, depression, a lil bit of trama peppered in) so here I’ve been the past many many years somehow kinda sorta but lmao not even closely keeping it together, but thanks :)
A tip for those out there interested in SAD lamps but are finding the cost too expensive -- check out your local library! A lot of libraries now have a "Library of Things" where you can check out tools, games and other items. My library had SAD lamps for checkout and I was able to check one out for free. :)
😮😮😮 that's brilliant
I get sad and depressed knowing how much these lamps cost.
How much?
@@TaxingIsThieving over 150
@@Jfresh55 That's not too bad if it works?
I just got mine from Costco - $30 from $45 it’s small but it’s bright and portable
@@bleupepper388 How long ya been using it
As someone who lives in January and its winter I can definitely say the sad lamp has improved my mood
lives in January?
Lives inside.
I hated the glare of SAD lamps, but they worked for me.
Last winter, I found an alternative that I love a lot more: Indoor plants with grow lights by my desk.
Now I have these brightly lit plants beside me at my work desk all day long.
However, the entire setup was more expensive, takes more space and effort than a typical SAD lamp.
I live pretty far north in CONUS. SAD can be brutal, especially with brutal winter weather my spouse was seriously affected. A friend who grows retired his metal halide lamp in favor of LED grow lamps. In lieu of a couple hundred bucks he owed me, he gave me a used metal halide grow light with a new bulb. I wired it to the ceiling in a finished basement in our house. It was so bright we seriously had to wear sunglasses. Warm too although the basement was centrally heated.
We moved a couple of reclining lawn chairs in and generally used it for 1-2 hours per day. My spouse and I would usually just play with the kids (tumbling mats, etc) or sometimes read. It was massively effective for treating SAD for the while family for just about 25 cents per day. The only downside was the cops showed up for a quick peek. They said the light coming from the window wells after dinner looked like we had a UFO in the basement.
Great idea
Brilliant! The solution is in the comments, as always
Oh my gosh two for one great idea! But would a sad lamp keep a plant alive or does one have to get a grow light?
@@skybox-101 I use full spectrum grow lightbulbs in task lamps.
Summary:
They work, BUT:
- not as well as actual sunlight
- only if you actually have S.A.D., so talk to a doctor first.
- only used properly (30+ minutes/day) and actual SAD lamps with proper brightness etc.
Other considerations:
- They are big (can take up a fair bit of space)
- relatively low risk (no side effects, virtually no drug interactions, etc)
Thank you
Thank you.
but sunlight UVA cause skin aging while UVB case skin cancer
If one use the sad lamp to double as the only light source for a plant, is it ok to leave the sad lamp on 24/7?
Can deepen sleep n help with dementia
i get SAD but only in spring, and its HEAVY, like Suicidal thoughts SAD symptoms for about 1-2 weeks. Bought a lamp ill use before my morning walk every morning - itll arrive next week im excited.
Ill never cheat - i use my phone the first 30 min every morning, will use my lamp during that time
Did it work..???
@@izz5946 it indeed does, takes like 7-10 days before it works tho
My boyfriend says I need one of these. I have never really enjoyed winter I just want to sit in my bed with my blankets and do nothing all day. In the summer I am so much happier spending so much time outside in the fresh air and I love the warmth from the sun. For me this probably won’t work. I work night shift so I don’t think lack of sun is the problem. It’s cold and gloomy when I look outside.
I also used to have same habbit and i used in this winter and my mood and energy level has changed drastically.
Actually I do think you need it because that's one of the symptoms of SAD. Not wanting to do anything during the winter time or when it's gloomy and your mood is pushed way down, it's a total change of personality as compared to you when it's sunny.
The older i get, the more difficult winters become. Sadly just taking vitamin d supplements is not working anymore.
This video is still pertinent today. Thanks :)
You mentioned in your video that one of the important aspects of a good Sad Lamp is that the lamp meets specifications. But I don't quite understand what exactly the specifications for a SAD Lamp actually are.... Would you mind filling me in as far as what these specification actually are. Is it a specific wave length of light or a specific duration of exposure time to the lamp?
Just wondering????
Thank You!
Robert M.
I recommend going to a doctor, but I copied it from another comment
• 10,000 lux (measure of light intensity & concentration) at a distance of ~1 foot
• Light emitting area of at least 1 square foot
• Well under 1% UV light emitted
• Color temperature somewhere in the range of 3,000-5,000 Kelvin
• Ideally, adjustable so it’s at eye level and pointing downward
I wonder if one can use a photography lamp? Some look just like those in the video. They use LED's. A person can adjust the "warmth" of the light, and intensity. And if you do photography you can mount them on your tripod, assuming you get one that doesn't come with a tripod of its own.
the best thing for me is prob psychological is just makes me feel better i wake up every day and want to cry the longer i lay there the worse it gets so i get up and put the lamp on living in the uk i hardly get any sunlight working the graveyard shift sleeping late into the afternoon.
Hi
Do these lamp actually give Vitamin D and help with mood?
@@precious2250no. They won't give you vitamin d. UV exposure is required for vitamin D production
I dig your videos, but I don’t suppose that Wirecutter could send you an external mic ahead of when you next make a video? Maybe even a lav or the like?
RIGHT??
you could try using hypnaogigc flickering lamps like Roxiva, Lucia, Ajna and Pandora Star... they are way more powerful than SAD lamps. In a nutshell, to increase serotonin levels you need a lot of light exposure, serotonin is a precursor to melatonin... so overall better sleep! flickering lamps have the added benefit of putting you into deep meditative states really quick... as well as having a very visual experience with your eyes closed... as you unlocks your visual nerve. For E.g, if you want to achieve deep theta states, the flickering light frequencies matches the theta brainwave frequencies measured 5hz to 7 hz (cycles per second), using software, the hypnagogic lamps will "pump out" the exact "light" frequency of 5-7hz
This sounds like a whole lot of BS
@@aoutsky yeah, while it is proven by Drs
ua-cam.com/video/zvXBkzPOuTY/v-deo.htmlsi=yQLJjhwILusLStPp
I have been using one for years. I live in Alaska and right now the sun does come out its not till noon and then the sun is setting around three thirty. It can sit next to you while you read the newspaper or something. I also take vitamin D. You are pretty much always clothed to the max here, so a vit. D supplement is necessary.
Just got mine today and man the difference is huge
Hi, can it be used for vitamin D deficiency?
@@precious2250only the beautiful sun provides that
you need UVB for that, which is usually not included. UVB can cause cancer, but it also produces vitamin D.@@precious2250
Hey, interesting video, but I'd love to know what makes a SAD lamp a SAD lamp compared to e.g: a large LED panel video light.
• 10,000 lux (measure of light intensity & concentration) at a distance of ~1 foot
• Light emitting area of at least 1 square foot
• Well under 1% UV light emitted
• Color temperature somewhere in the range of 3,000-5,000 Kelvin
• Ideally, adjustable so it’s at eye level and pointing downward
@@RonWolfHowl link to one you recommend?
@@RonWolfHowl source, please?
Does the VA give these as treatments? They gave them to us in active duty USAF while I was in Alaska.
if it doesn't work for SAD and you bought the lamp can you at least use it for a grow lamp for houseplants?
Very good...to the point and very informative
This video could have been much better with some straightforward improvements. The host takes way too much screen time and the professional, who actually knows something about the topic, too little. Editing is also too busy and childish for such a serious topic. Of course the advertisement in the middle of the video about lamp picks is just completely invalid. You can't put a sponsored ad in like that for a 6 minute video, on which you didn't even have had to invest that much time, energy and resources.
its not that serious bro
Ok karen
How come screen light from phone/laptop doesn't count?
00:32
5:32 It sounds too good to be true...
As someone who got SAD (or at the very least, seasonal depression) in summer in Florida, I know lack of light is not the only occurrence. I live in a Northern State now and I have wanted to consider getting a light just in case, but I'm thinking my smart bulbs being on timers to wake me up and stay on til 7/8pm may help me.
Smart bulbs and SAD lamps are not the same.
SAD lamps shouldn't emite UV lights. Bulbs emite UV lights, that's why dermatologist suggest to use suncream indoors.
@@Usagi1017 Sorry that’s just not true. Household lights do not emit UV at 3 and above, which is when you need protection. General recommendations for sunscreen inside are to maintain habit of daily wear, or in case you are near a window where the sun is UV 3 or above. Anything else is just fear mongering.
What about the 'old fashioned' tanning beds?
No those are uv rays these do not
Hi Dorie. I thought you were a great host. Charming and practical.
Would these be a means of adding better lighting in a dark home or apartment - that has little to no sunlight due to shade?
@@DonnaMartinezEdD My sister was complying about her small kitchen was too dark . I bought her a 4 light 4 foot fluorescent fixture with daylight bulbs .🌞😃 this was 20 years ago .
nice video thanks
My plan is to set up a lamp right by my work station since I work remote. Since my computers face the windows, I need lighting anyway so this helped me pull the trigger on the purchase.. still expensive though
Go to a doctor and make sure you have a sad light. That Will be $500 thank you very much
Go ahead and spring for a lapel mic please!
it is Sad.... Very Sad that I fell asleep in front of one for over 8 hours. My face looks like a pepperoni pizza with anchovies.
Cloudy days make me happy.
thx for this !! helpful :)
Portland gets me so depressed gosh😂
Yup, that's me. SAD 9 months of the year.
Are they full spectrum ?
Other way around: place quality light bulbs with 4000k+ color rendering in direction you spend a lot of time looking at
Like computer monitor, having bright "background" what won't contrast with your bright monitor will make your eyes tire less
Or replace lightbulbs to MUCH higher power in one of your rooms, like bathroom for example, buy second hand studio bulbs 100w+ with really nice color rendering at fraction of SAD lamp price
AND if you want to go REALLY cheap, mount regular small COB LEDs on glasses aimed towards eyes, meaning lots of light in eyes with very little power
Thank you. I still would like to know how to tell the difference between SAD and a common dislike of winter cold weather and difficulty getting outside. Does it work for everyone?
I have hearing aides and the echo in your room makes it very hard to hear what you are saying. Your voice is nice and clean but the echo muddies your voice.
Not sure if this is as good but I just picked up 2 bulbs at Walmart made my Feit for $8 each. They claim to be full spectrum circadian rhythm bulbs. Does anybody have any experience with them?
Great stuff.
Thanks. that was helpful
Thanks for the classical music!
I am not sure if I should get one. I do suffer from light sensitivity though.
i bought one for $10 off Craigslist. I know that it is not the be-all-end-all. Diet, exercise, etc are more important. However, after one week, I feel like my rhythms are much better (with less time half asleep). Good luck.
They're good for lighting zoom calls
I’m more depressed in the summer I hate hot weather
she could've gotten a better webcam honestly
it seems like a scam
When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead.
5:50 therin lies the problem with therapy.
Not sure what you mean, I'm a therapist by the way
I can't help but feel replacing your light bulbs with nicer white LED lights is going to be much better than just shoving a lamp in your face. That way you can just... turn your house lights on. I wanted to get one of these but it just feels so ridiculous after researching more. I guess if you somehow don't have the option to replace your lightbulbs it would be helpful.
Normal light globes are nowhere near as bright as the sun, so your brain doesn't have the same response to them. If you buy +10k lux globes for your house then J think it's fine.
Hm. Very interesting. Thanks!
They work.
for me I feel its trauma based at this point. i can think of winter in the summer and get depressed. i think i need some trauma therapy and EMDR on my winter trauma ....
So Sad lamps vs. red light therapy? Which is better
red light
Green light theraphy
Why would I want red light making it look like hell
@@TaxingIsThieving Have you been to hell? Please describe
@@TaxingIsThieving 😂
I'd be sad if you made me go to L.A.
I'd be sad if I never get to go to L.A.
Do they work with blind people?
yes
Yes, but get one that makes a sound so that the non sighted know it is on.
Veterans you can get one for free if your psychiatrist prescribes it. I got one for free, I want to say it's like a $300 lamp.
Her voice makes it feel like my ears are going through cheese grater.
I’m sure the video has some value, but I can’t get past the first 37 seconds
Man you definitely need such a lamp lol
It's an aesthetic, I imagine I could show moee with certian lights/lighting features, tho im not sure how practical ot woul be for the general public.
Ghastly work. I bailed at 1:03, between the irritating, pointless music and the echo-y sound of her badly miked voice. This is from the NYT? Could you get a bit more professional?
why would you want someone else to have SAD for you? the total number of sad people in the world would be the same :(
Do you think Dorie would be my girlfriend?
HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH Go to a doctor and get a formal recommendation! AHHAAHHA. And where are we supposed to go for that exactly lmao… All the actual psychiatrists, not social workers, psychiatrists… sorry not sorry. Are too overloaded and/or just poping pills.
Source? Been on the loosing end of a battle for quite a few years now and there’s no *actual* help to be found. Lord knows I’ve tried…. Unfortunately for me I’m one of the lucky ones who got problems outside of the basics of psychology (anxiety, depression, a lil bit of trama peppered in) so here I’ve been the past many many years somehow kinda sorta but lmao not even closely keeping it together, but thanks :)
:)