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Human Brain Is Sensitive To Light In Ears

Posted by timothy on from the also-to-the-name-of-the-devil dept.

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."

7 of 130 comments (clear)

  1. The slide of Slashdot contribution continues... by kamelkev · · Score: 5, Informative

    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.

    1. Re:The slide of Slashdot contribution continues... by Nick+Ives · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Oh god, reading that press release it just gets better.

      They reckon that because a photosensitive protein is found in the human brain, shining light in through the ears must help in seasonal affective disorder. To demonstrate this they cut up some cadavers and showed that this protein was found in their brain.

      I'm quite certain you can't see the brain by looking in through the ear canal.

      --
      Nick
    2. Re:The slide of Slashdot contribution continues... by LordLimecat · · Score: 3, Insightful

      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.

      Ill take a shot at it, having used sun-lamps before. Lets take a look at Valkee's FAQ:

      Portable and always with you
      You can use Valkee wherever works best for you. Due to its small size, you can use it in the morning, during your commute or at work. It travels with you like a cell phone and mp3-player.

      BS alarm is going crazy, because if you were to start using a sunlamp at 7pm every night you could throw your sleep patterns into disarray. Light therapy usually happens in the morning, because it affects circadian rhythm and part of the point is to make your brain think the sun is rising even in dark winter months (if youre deaing with SAD). Additionally, all the sources ive seen (wikipedia, sun lamp vendors) caution that you should not overuse them because they are mood-altering and can have negative side effects.

      Saying that you can use the devices whenever you want for however long you want is a pretty clear indicator that they do nothing whatsoever (protip-- most devices that perform a medical function, other than Vitamin C, do not have a "when you want however much you want" dosing policy).

      What time of the day is it best to use Valkee?
      70% of users have stated that positive effects are best realized during the morning and 30% have stated that they achieve the best results in the evening. Start using Valkee in the morning preferably 30-60 minutes after waking up. If you do not realize positive results after 3-5 days, use Valkee 1-2 hours prior to going to bed in the evening.

      Same issue as above. Also, not having a clear stance on that (and relying on "users" rather than "clinical data") indicates that they really have no clue what this does or why it should work or anything else, other than that you should give them money for a gadget.

  2. what about the colon? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    is it sensitive to a reverse cranial insertion therapy?

  3. Re:I'm not that certain by Nick+Ives · · Score: 3, Informative

    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
  4. Re:That's nice. by Yaur · · Score: 4, Funny

    Common sense?

  5. Re:the saddest part... by geekoid · · Score: 3, Informative

    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 /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect