Running head: AMBER LENSES FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER
Dark Therapy: An Effective Treatment in an Outpatient Setting?
Erica L Freeman, LCSW
Correspondence concerning this paper should be addressed to Erica L Freeman, LCSW
Full text article available for $29.00 from Advances in Integrative Medicine Journal
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Abstract
Objectives: This paper explores dark therapy for Bipolar Disorder outpatient. Amber lenses (AL) block blue light to a retinol photoreceptor in the eye, simulating darkness for the brain (dark therapy). The fibers of this photoreceptor connect to the biological clock region of the hypothalamus.
Methods: The writer documents outpatient dark therapy research for Bipolar Disorder. Patient used AL for eighteen months from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m, when not sleeping. She continued her prescribed medication. Patient tracked her symptoms for thirty months1. The tracker reviews her changes in symptoms and medication.
Results: First, patient tracked symptoms without AL, then with AL. Patient terminated medication with a score of six at treatment conclusion, ie relative stability.
Conclusions: This research shows that AL is a treatment option for Bipolar I Disorder outpatient for some patients. This area of treatment is groundbreaking and more research is needed.
From here, I will provide you with a summary of the research, not just this research but all the research that has been published on dark therapy for bipolar disorder. All of that research, except this study, was done in inpatient settings, hospitals, or research labs. Still, this study suggests that the results will work in outpatient settings if the wearer uses the amber lenses correctly. For much of this research, the lenses used were made by a company that stopped producing them. A new company filled the gap, Nocry creates an amber, blue-blocking lens that fits over your regular eyeglasses. They wrap around to block light from entering the side of your eyes while having a top layer that helps connect the glasses to your forehead so light can’t enter from above. These components are crucial for making these glasses effective at blocking blue light.
Researchers discovered that all human beings have a photoreceptor in the upper quadrant of the eye for receiving blue light, and then communicating with the hypothalamus about secreting melatonin to manage your circadian rhythms. The challenge with this is that humans have access to so much blue light through electricity lights and screens that our circadian rhythms are getting confused. Wearing the amber lenses helps your brain repair your circadian rhythms by helping your hypothalamus know when to secrete melatonin. This is even more important if you have a sleep disorder or a diagnosis, like bipolar disorder, that causes sleep disorders.
To use the amber lenses correctly, it is crucial to be in complete darkness for 12-14 hours from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. If you’re fighting mania, stick with 14 hours of darkness while if you’re fighting depression, you can drop back to 12 hours of darkness. This dark therapy will help you sleep and will also help stabilize your moods. The key is to wear the glasses from 6 p.m. to bedtime. Then you need to sleep in a pitch-black room. Anytime you get up and are exposed to any light, you should put your glasses back on until 8 a.m. You can create a pitch-black room by using blackout curtains and removing any light-producing devices or chargers from your room. You can also wear a sleep mask for added protection.
In the research, we find that people who are fighting mania get rapid results in as little as three nights. I’ve seen clients with severe sleep abnormalities gain results in that time frame, results that improve their sleep. The mood stabilizing effects take longer. To recognize these results, I recommend using a mood tracker, tracking all your symptoms of bipolar disorder. After tracking for a few days or a week, start the amber lenses. Then watch your symptoms gradually decrease. Using the amber lenses correctly will likely decrease your need for medication or other treatments and they’re very cheap. One pair of amber lenses will likely last you 8 months to a year depending on how carefully you care for the lenses to prevent scratching and the cost: 15.99 USD. It is important to use the lenses every day and not feel bogged down by their appearance. Remember, these glasses will likely improve your life significantly.
I welcome your questions or comments. Please share your experiences trying the amber lenses.