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Human Brain Is Sensitive To Light In Ears
vuo writes "Finnish researchers have shown that the human brain contains photoreceptors that react to intracranial illumination. Light is provided through the ear canal with bright-light headsets by Valkee. These devices, much like earphones or should we say 'earlumes,' are registered medical devices. Retinal illumination or bright-light therapy has been previously assumed to be the only way light indirectly affects brains. Light therapy helps with mood swings, seasonal affective disorder, jetlag and other circadian rhythm disruptions."
When they shined a light in my ear :-)
The source article is posted on "PR Newswire".
This is a self published document by the company that creates and promotes the Valkee product.
I am in no position to comment on the legitimacy of the product or the efficacy of it's claims, and neither is anyone else here given the complete uselessness of the article presented.
At least link to the "scientific" article that they have on their website, which is more appropriate for this audience:
http://www.valkee.com/uk/Valkee_Poster_Presentation-Human_Brain_Photosensitiveness_May2011.pdf
I cannot tell if the above whitepaper is peer reviewed or what.
Oh glorious, glorious slashvertisements.
And the worms ate into his brain.
is it sensitive to a reverse cranial insertion therapy?
The idea that there may be neurons somewhere within the brain that are photosensitive is plausible enough. However, light shining in the ear won't ever reach them.
It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
Think of the awkward clinical trials...
Well, in between the ear canal and the brain there's the inner ear which is full of bones and fluid.
Of course, that's leaving aside what those photosensitive proteins do in the brain. Maybe they're some leftover defence mechanism in case the brain gets exposed to light?
Even assuming that this device does have an effect on the brain, photosensitive proteins in the brain are clearly a surrogate endpoint with respect to seasonal affective disorder.
Nick
Of course:
Q: how do you make a light shine in a blonde's eyes?
A: you point a flash light at her ear.
OK, someone please tell me why I would need to spend nearly $300 USD to shine 2 white LEDs in my ear? Awaiting a schematic and a parts list of what is needed to build this. Oh 3 AA's wired to pair of in-ear headphones with the coil and diaphragm replaced by an LED on each side.
Oh, you left out the super secret part that makes the whole thing work! The current limiting resistor!
Common sense?
The brain is above, I'd suggest looking at some good 3D MRI imaging. what a load of BS this is.
Not just membrane, bone. have a look at some good 3D imaging. this is utter bullshit
No, we should not say "earlumes". Please, no.
A republic cannot succeed till it contains a certain body of men imbued with the principles of justice and honour.
For the record, that's a rating of medical safety. So having something that does nothing is medically safe. IN the US, probably in the EU as well.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
OK, someone please tell me why I would need to spend nearly $300 USD to shine 2 white LEDs in my ear? Awaiting a schematic and a parts list of what is needed to build this. Oh 3 AA's wired to pair of in-ear headphones with the coil and diaphragm replaced by an LED on each side.
Oh, you left out the super secret part that makes the whole thing work! The current limiting resistor!
Yeah a SED (smoke emitting diode) is not what you want here.
I'm a good cook. I'm a fantastic eater. - Steven Brust
Yes, this article is clearly bunk. But still, it's quite possible that light has more of an impact on the human body than has been traditionally accepted. Human skin might even be mildly photosynthetic -- not kidding. Fungi have been found at Chernobyl using ionizing radiation as an energy source -- and it appears that it's melanin that they've been using to capture the energy. Ionization of melanin can enhance NADH/NAD+ conversion, which is the last step before ATP production. UV was shown to be effective in causing this effect.
Hey, guys, I'm just pleased as punch to report that it's a fleet of a hundred Vogon Battle Destroyers!
I just heard what you said there.
And the optic-hearing apparently works long distance as well. What a glorious day for science this is.
Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens
when I could see music flowing out of the speakers.
âoeIn theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not." â Albert Einstein
You aren't going to get useful amounts of light to the brain through the ears! Worse, what light you do get will be all dim and orange/reddish, and throw your circadian rhythms for a loop because you think it is sunset all the time. Worthless.
Here, just for my Slashdot friends, is the secret to really showing 'Seasonal Affective Disorder' who is boss:
Simply passing electrons through the cerebrospinal and intracellular fluids of the brain at a speed greater than that of light within those media will bathe the brain in a lovely, broad-spectrum, delicate blue glow. This will stimulate photo-receptors that aural lighting cannot hope to reach.
Unfortunately, due to high costs and a coverup by the alarm-clock/industrial complex, you may have to sneak into a nearby university or DOE laboratory in order to use a linear accelerator of sufficient power. While Cherenkov radiation can also restore vigor to the scalp and reverse balding, you need energy sufficient to pass through the skull in order to see circadian benefits.