Lightphoria, 10,000 Lux Energy Light Lamp

I think this really works! I live in CA but I'm stuck in the dungeon at my work place. I also had to get up super early recently due to changes in schedule at work. I was suffering from a lot of different problems that I won't regale you with here, my doctor recommended that I try a Happy Light of some kind. Looked it up and found this one for decent price. I was honestly rather skeptical on if this works or not, but when I got an amazon gc from something at work, I figured why not. I am REALLY glad I bought this. The unit itself is pretty small and incredibly portable (though I just leave mine at work). I pretty much only use this on the Low setting, and I turn it on as soon as I get in to work and pretty much forget about it until lunch time when I have to go get food and realized this thing's been on the whole time lol. I never really had to use it on any higher setting that Low - for those who are afraid that this might not be strong enough I don't think there's anything to worry about. I tried High setting (which is the default when you turn it on) for a short while before and it's actually really strong. Highly recommend following the general recommendations of starting from Low and only going up in intensity if necessary. I like how this thing is very unobtrusive, and so far a few coworkers noticed it but it's not glaringly obvious (looks mainly just like I got an extra light in my cube. It does have a timer for 15min, 30min, and 45min, but I tend to just leave it on until I feel like I don't need it anymore. Since getting this, I feel like it's gotten easier in the morning. Of course I drink plenty of coffee, but adding the extra light from this seemed to have given a slight boost to my mood/energy level in the morning. It's not the cheapest "try" item, but for those who are suffering from low energy and mood problems due to working in a sunlight-less location and in particular have trouble getting up, I do recommend giving this at least a try. For sure the 10-20 min of "sun" I get in the morning when I drive to work sometimes is NOT enough!

Background: I'd considered light therapy for a few years, and my psychiatrist recommended it. I have bipolar which is controlled well by medication, but still experience times of low energy where I tend to overeat, not go out, get fat, etc. I am naturally an athletic, outgoing person, so these times are frustrating, especially last year when I realized I couldn't participate in activities with my friends because I was too out of shape, and I was self conscious about my appearance. I was in a bad place over the holidays, very low and unhealthy, and decided to try light therapy. I guess I'd been resisting because I was afraid it wouldn't work. I chose this box because it has the 10k lux that literature says is necessary, and because it was so lightweight I could take it when I travel. The price was WAY cheaper than I expected. I began using it as soon as I got it, for 30 minutes every morning no matter what. And WOW the results have really exceeded my expectation! After three days I felt more confident, was able to handle a social situation that had seemed too daunting three days before. After five days I really felt like exercising, moved a treadmill into my apartment out of storage, and began using it for half an hour every morning. It just hasn't seemed like a big deal, whereas before it was just not imaginable (depressed people can probably relate). I put the SAD light on the treadmill while I'm working out. I put it in my peripheral vision but tend to move it from side to side during the session (have no idea if that's important. I may be keeping it too close, like 18-24". I use the timer set for 30 minutes. I use it only once per day, for 30 minutes, and I try to use it before 8 am though I have used it as late as noon with no ill effect. Another effect was my drive to overeat just left me completely. It could be the combination of the excise and the light therapy, but I'm into a very fit routine where I feel that I'm hungry and think about what would feel best to eat. I'm able to think about whether something might give me heartburn, and I'm choosing food that will help me with my workouts. It's been really easy as a result to start a diet where I'm counting calories and eating healthy, and my work pants are already loose (after 2 weeks). Bottom line: this thing has completely kicked me out of a depression, and has returned me to a state that is ideal for getting in shape and feeling good. I'm not manic, just in a really great, healthy place. I've sent one of these to my daughter and am recommending it to anyone who is suffering from depression. It is also small and lightweight and fairly sturdy (I've dropped it a few times so it dangles by the power cord, with no I'll effect so far). One review claimed it was cheap plastic, but I think it's fine for a product that is supposed to be lightweight and costs so little. The times and controls work as promised. It's true that the kick-stand only has one position, but I have no trouble moving it around to get the LEDs correctly oriented to my face. p.s. I got a power convert so I can use it in my car when traveling. I sit it on the dash.

I recieved this yesterday and have used it for the first time today so I will have to come back later with a review on the efficacy of the light but for now...while I like some of the larger models I chose this one for its small ultra portable size and because the size also seemed like it would fit well on my desk at work without drawing too much attention. The size is just as I expected. The light is bright, when I first woke up this morning I had to start on the low setting but was able to transition up to the high setting as my eyes adjusted. It is not so bright that I cannot see, I can read etc with the light on. I agree it would be helpful if the stand in the back was adjustable, it's easy enough to prop the stand up on a cell phone, book etc to get the light at a straighter angle, but at this price point I'm thinking an adjustable stand is not too much to ask. I read that therapy lights are best used above your eye level. Since this is so small I've found using the stand as a sort of hook I can clip it onto my computer monitor, plantation shutter etc and get it at the needed height. In addition to an adjustable stand a hook or some way to clip and hang it would be much appreciated. This light is small enough that it can function on the desk or hanging up etc. I think the manufacturers should let the consumer take advantage of that, again at this price point...which comes to the price point. It is what it is I knew what I was getting and what it would cost when I made the purchase, but I do think a device this size should be more in the $40 range, almost $70 seems a little excessive given there are full size models out there for the same price. I like the timer options and the ability to change the level of light and I like that it plugs in, better than having to keep up with batteries. So far I haven't had an issue with the length of the ac adapter cord, but I do think it could be longer so like if you want to sit on the couch or something and the nearest plug isn't all that near. It also comes with a little nylon travel pouch which is nice. So overall for now I'm happy with the purchase. As to "does it work" I took a MEQ test and am using it at the recommended time for 30min and slipping in a 15 - 30 minute session in the late afternoon now that the sun is setting earlier. I'll try it out for a month an report back.***Update, I've had this light for almost a year now and it works. We just recently had a spell where it did nothing but rain, I was feeling gross without any light, used this a couple of mornings and felt instantly better. I really like the timer feature.

This product arrived quickly and in excellent condition. It was well packaged, with no issues, and included everything as advertised. It is light in weight, but sturdily constructed. I've yet to use it enough to remark upon its results from a SAD or circadian perspective, but as a night shift worker, I'm pretty excited just considering its potential. The light itself is pretty simple. It has the LED lights, and a timer for 15-30-45 min intervals. Settings include low-medium-high. Last is an on-off button. The AC plug is obvious and requires no explanation. The adjustable stand is also simple, but effective. I'm not sure about the various heights that it offers, but I've got it propped up on a random item right now so as to angle the light even more downward, and its working. Doesn't get any simpler than that. Its super simple to set up straight out of the box and to use. I'm not an instruction manual-reader, which has only bitten me on the butt about ten thousand times. Not this time, though, so.... hooray! The light action itself? Well, I've nicknamed it "The Light of Ten Thousand Suns". Because no matter where you place it, at what height, or at what angle or setting, it is fairly blinding. I want to get the most therapeutic benefit from it, but to be honest, I can't afford a seeing eye dog or white cane just now. I'm still figuring out these logistics. I've read that your eyes have to be on the light for it to work, but bleeding, melted eye sockets seem contrary to a healthful goal. I will need to do more research into how best to utilize it, but I own that- not this product. Its certainly plenty bright, portable, and seems well constructed. Comes with a little velour drawstring bag for travel. I'm enthralled with it..... its my first I've ever purchased, and I've definitely been teased by plenty of my friends when I bust it out and they ask me "what it does"... I start with saying "well, it doesn't give off UV rays to prompt your body to manufacture vitamin D.... nor does it cause you to tan..." Usually I've lost them at this point, which is fine. I had spoken with my doctor prior to purchasing this light, and he swore by its use. Particularly during Daylight Savings etc. I know that the one he has in his office seems to feel nice. Its actually what made me think to ask him about these lights' effectiveness in the first place. I liked the idea of something soundly built but portable since I work on an ambulance and the opportunity to steal a moment here and there to use it for alertness and energy seems pretty sweet. I don't know how best to incorporate its use into my day/night as far as sleep patterns go since third shifters tend to burn the candle at both ends, but that simply requires more research on my part. I was initially drawn to the blue light versions, but am prone to complex migraines, particularly during periods of stress, inclement weather, and sleep deprivation. I didn't want to risk it. This light- so far- has not triggered anything but an ability to count the number of individual lights comprising the main lighted portion- even after closing my eyes- just by reviewing the image burned onto my retinas. I can't imagine requiring anything larger, so frankly, I think the main features of value would likely be sturdy construction, portability, simplicity. I wish I could have found a version that could be used as an alarm clock with a slowly lit- a la dawn- effect, a longer power cord or rechargeable battery option, and perhaps one with a plug for the car, but that said, I'm not sure I'm missing anything (and the plug aspect can easily be remedied, of course). At any rate, I gave this product 5 stars since thus far it has satisfied the specifics of its product description, does what it claims to from a function perspective, and seems decently built. If it DOES cause my eyeballs to burst into flame or somehow improve my SAD symptoms until world domination is clearly the inevitable and most reasonable outcome, I'll pop back on here to provide an update. In the meantime, 5 stars it is. If you're inclined to purchase one of these lights anyway, I think you will be satisfied with this product.

First, this light is super-zany bright. It's blink your eyes bright, but not all weepy like "be a kitten and pass me the Kleenex" bright. But, it throws no heat. It's odd. Even the chassis doesn't get hot. Not like my halogen lamp which almost set the sprinklers off when it charred my pastrami sandwich wrapper. This Lightphoria by Sphere Gadget Technologies is cool as a summer cucumber. If you click on the company, Sphere Gadget Technologies on the Amazon listing for this light, they make only this freaking light! Shouldn't it be Sphere Gadget Technology, then? This is, strangely enough, version 2.1-- I had diet Dr. Pepper come out of my nose when I noticed that. I'm sure there's been significant upgrades since version 2.0. Many of you are thinking now, "Maybe I should wait for version 3.0? Maybe it'll be thinner. Or have 10,500 lumens or something." I wish I could answer that for you, but those buggers at Sphere are one tight-lipped group. Okay, but how's it work, you ask? I first used this light near my face at work for about two hours every morning for over a month straight as a test. It could be placebo effect, I have no idea, but I feel more alive all day at work. Not stand on my desk and beat my chest like Tarzan alive, but pretty close. I'd think that, if it was only placebo, it would have worn off after a couple weeks. And I'm not that gullible for placebos and such. Sure, sometimes I'm down to my last nerve, and everyone in the office is plucking it. But, I'm no patsy. The used car salesman who sold me the PT Cruiser with oatmeal in the transmission said it best when I pushed it back into his lot: "You, buddy, are just too cunning." God, that's rich. Trust me, he was as nervous as a hog at a luau when I bought my next car from him. I have that effect on people, I really do. You're going to catch some major flack when you first place this 6 inch by 6 inch meteor on your desk, let me tell you. I thank the Lord that the unique novelty of the light has worn off and my co-workers no longer look at me like I've got a blood-sucking tarantula in the middle of my forehead. They've stopped saying, "Hey, Jersey Shore, you're tanning only one side of your face." Or, "Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close up." Or, "Mind if I reheat my coffee next to your 'gloomy lamp'?" Or, "Okay, okay. I confess. I'm the one that stole your mojo. Now turn it off, I beg you." Honestly, could I make this stuff up? A real witty bunch of intellectuals, they are. Why the stars deduction? This is a cheaply built light. It's lightweight, but made of thin plastic. It feels like one drop on the floor and this thing will smash to pieces. The cord has a transformer on the wall end that takes too much space, and it attaches via a jack plug to the light that looks flimsy as heck. Hit the jack, break the light. This light feels like something you could win at the water-gun horsie race booth at the county fair, right next to the lead paint cupie dolls and the stuffed bear that smells like formaldehyde and has one eye dangling on a loose thread. So, when you get the light, do an experiment: ask your friends and co-workers, how much do you think this light costs? The answer will be around $20. Sure, you could argue 10k lumens takes some LED bulbs and what not. But when I can get a full floor lamp with bright natural light for 1/2 this price, this little thing is pricey. Frankly, the only reason I didn't buy the cheaper floor lamp is that my co-workers would probably call the asylum if I sat at my desk for two hours each morning staring at a floor lamp only 8 inches from my kisser. In addition, the different intensity settings on this Lightphoria are useless. Low, medium or high, the brightness changes little. I use it on the brightest setting, regardless of how bummed out I am on a particular day. Will I use it? Let's just say that sometimes my attitude stinks stronger than a startled skunk hit by a dirt clod. I'll admit it. So, yep, the light seems to make me feel better about myself. And when I feel better about myself, I treat those around me like human beings. So, yes, it helps. Will it break? Probably. Is it worth the price to feel like a six year old on a long summer day? If it keeps working, sure. I feel light as a feather now, you know, getting all this heavy stuff off my mind. I might even take a morning off from using the old strobe in the face. On second thought, I'd better at least give myself a 30 minute "booster" to ignite that twinkle in my eye. And I know what you're thinking, and no, I'm not addicted to light box therapy. Sheesh. Get a grip, will you. UPDATE!!!: Jan 21. Okay, I've had it now for several months. I have not budged it from the corner of my desk for fear that I will break it. I have not smashed it yet. I even tuck the cord under the corner of my desk with Scotch tape to prevent one of my unhappy colleagues from stumbling on the cord and yanking my $60 light off my desk and smashing it and then saying, "Hey, I'm sorry. I'll replace it -- here's twenty bucks. Keep the change and buy yourself a cup of coffee." The big question, do I still use it? Answer is: yes. The lights are still bright, no burned out LED bulbs, and still strong beams in my face every morning at my desk for 90 minutes. If I've got a big meeting or something, I might stare at it for an additional 30 minutes, but by then my eyeballs feel like two Fig Newtons, so I stop. I really appreciate the timer feature for 15, 30 or 45 minutes. Without it, I might get distracted and leave the thing on all night and the janitor would think some blind lunatic sits at my desk. I don't know if it's the lamp or the one lb. bag of peanut M&M's in my desk drawer, but something gives me a smile. Something is preventing me from meandering down to the company boiler room, throwing my necktie over a waterpipe and kicking a desk chair out from under myself. So, I guess, all in all, I'm happy I bought this light. A cute girl in the corner cubicle just got this same light. She never asked me about it--it just appeared on her desk one morning. She's cute as hell, with curly red hair and an ice cream scoop dimple in the middle of her chin. But, her eyes look like two burnt holes in a blanket. No wonder someone gave her this "pep" light. And, just so you know, even with light box therapy, she still avoids me like fresh paint on a park bench. I do not have clinical depression or SAD, so if someone has those conditions, ask your head shrink about using this light. I, honestly, have no idea if this light, plus a fistful of prescription pills, will be enough to ward off depression. I know that wolfbane inhibits werewolves, and that spinach makes Popeye strong as a kicking mule. Those are scientific facts. But, I haven't the foggiest notion how this light will affect you. I'd help you if I could, though. I really would. My review is for us folks who get the blues from dank office conditions while schlepping the old "ball and chain" for "the Man" to earn a measly paycheck that's barely enough to buy a hot pizza pie, a six pack of liquid "therapy", and this Lightphoria lamp. Then, we sit like brainless twits in the stinging glare of this light to burn on a "game face", and do it all again the following week. Cheers to you all! Don't be all bummed out, like me. In the summer, stare at the sun until you're weeping like a newborn. In the winter, eyeball this flimsy light until you see rows of LEDs on the backs of your lids in your dreams. Your wallet will be lighter, but your day will be brighter. On the weekends, just grab a bumper dumper and hit the outdoors and that'll make you happy, too. Here's a link to Amazon's amazing bumper dumper, and my five-star opinion of that astonishing device: Bumper Dumper The Original Hitch Mountable Portable Toilet (Made In USA) Please have a bright day!!!!!!!

I recently moved Washington state and think I may be suffering from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) during my first winter here. Although I don't mind rainy days and don't feel really depressed, I do feel very sluggish and tired all the time. I feel groggy most mornings and can't seem to fully wake up. This is a problem, because I feel slow, sleepy, and confused at work and want to spend the weekends in bed. Even when napping and getting 9 hours of sleep, I still felt groggy and exhausted, like my brain was in slow motion and couldn't think clearly and my eyes keep wanting to slip closed all day. I considered what might be causing this for some time and finally decided to try a therapy light. I actually decided to purchase 2. I got a sunrise alarm for at home and purchased this little Sphere Lightphoria box for at work. I had read many people say online that they needed a little mid-day pick-me-up while at work. I have to admit, the size and pricing on this model appealed to me, because I didn't want to spend a lot and didn't want a huge light box at work, taking up a lot of desk space and getting in my way. This unit is nice and has 3 intensity settings of low, mid, and hi and 3 time settings of 15, 30, 45 minutes. At first I tried it on the Hi setting, but it was giving me headaches and as a result, I stopped using it for about a week after 2 days of headaches all day. I read an article that suggested trying the lights at a lower setting for shorter amounts of time to get used to them. I tried it on mid for 15 minutes and found it a lot less distracting (so I didn't keep looking at it) and did not get a headache. Since then I have been using it once or twice a day on the mid setting for 30 minutes and have definitely had good results. Even though I did not feel depressed before, I feel cheerier now. I am most definitely feeling awake and able to use my brain a lot more effectively at work. I feel like I went from super-slow speed to normal speed in my every day actions. I do not feel perpetually sleepy and groggy. I am now functioning at full capacity and feel more perky in general, so this light has solved my most recent problems. I would recommend it to anyone that feels they may be suffering from SAD, but would also say, do not start it on hi. Just start using it at a level where you feel comfortable and start with 15 minutes, so you don't overwhelm your eyes and brain like I did the first couple of times.

I am a psychiatrist who not only recommends light therapy to many of my patients (both for seasonal mood changes and sleep disorders) but have used one off and on for the past 15 years. This "light therapy pad" is awful. I have owned/loaned/given many different lights over the years because I believe so strongly in the positive outcomes. I always instruct my patients and friends to make sure they get a light that emits 10,000 lux. any smaller and it doesn't work. Pros: It's small. It's relatively inexpensive. Cons: wow. Where do I start? The biggest issue for me is that the lights are LED (i didn't look closely enough before ordering) and you can't look directly at the light. It's extremely difficult not to look at it given that it needs to be 12-24 inches from your face in order for you to get the full effects of the light; and especially because it's so small that you have to have it practically in your face to even be "in" the light. None of the lights I've used over the years have been so harmful and seemed so LITTLE like actual sunlight. It also cannot be used to help you wake in the morning because of the functions on the light itself. For people who have difficulty waking and getting out of bed in the morning, I often recommend putting the light next to their bed on a household timer. If the timer is set to turn the light on an hour before your alarm, you wake when it turns on, sleep facing it, and are able to get out of bed MUCH more easily. I have seen success with this time and time again. Unfortunately this light is not compatable with a home/wall timer so cannot be used in this way. Those are the biggest issues and mine has been returned less than 48 hours after receiving it. I have never given a one star review to a product but can't bring myself to give it two stars. Most lights are more expensive than this, but it is well worth spending the extra money for a true light therapy lamp.

I decided to give light therapy a try because I've long suspected I've been suffering from (mild/sub-clinical) seasonal depression. I live in the northern US, and winters here tend to be gloomy and long, and spring doesn't really start feeling like spring until late April. The SAD or whatever has never been enough to bother with an antidepressant, with the side effects and the doctor's appointments and the copays, but enough that something non-pharmacological might have an effect. I've also - throughout pretty much my entire adult life - had severe insomnia coupled with odd sleep/wake rhythms. I'm pretty sure this elevated my mood somewhat, although that might just be placebo. But what I wasn't expecting was an improvement in my wakefulness patterns, and the evidence that it helps there is clear. I still have a hard time falling asleep in the evening, but my legendary afternoon crashes into extreme tiredness all but vanished - I don't think I've ever been so alert without heavy doses of caffeine propping me up! I'm also considerably more alert first thing in the morning. (It's very possible that what I've been taking as mood elevation is simply increased wakefulness/energy...it's hard to say. I'm not complaining, though!) I was a bit surprised when I got this. I know the dimensions are printed right there on this page, but I wasn't expecting it to be so tiny. As it happens, I'm glad it is - its portability makes it that much less cumbersome to use. I was also unimpressed by the thin, cheap, chintzy feel to the plastic, but I can't complain about the light itself. (I do, however, rely on the little flip-out stand so that I can prop it up at an angle...and it's kinda flimsy. So far so good - and it's not like I'm hard on it - but if that snaps, this'll be quite a bit harder to use.) I nearly knocked a star off for not offering battery power. Who knows, maybe this pulls enough juice that batteries would be impractical, but even though I've settled into a routine where I can use it consistently near an outlet, it'd be that much better if I could use it anywhere at all. (Battery power would've also been nice two weeks ago when the power went out throughout the city. I knew I had a flashlight here somewhere...but try finding it when you can't see anything. I knew right where this was, and it would've made a spectacular emergency light. Ah, well.) It took some experimenting, but now I use this every weekday morning, from 6 a.m. until it shuts off at 6:45. (It has three timed settings - 15, 30, or 45 minutes. The literature I read all recommends use for at least 30 minutes.) This also has a low/medium/high toggle, and following the recommendations in that same literature, I leave it on high - best results were achieved with a full 10K lux. Each morning at six, I get back into bed with a cup of coffee and my kindle, and I read the "paper" while this sits just to my left, aimed up at my face. I don't consider using this to be time lost, since I'd probably be checking the news and drinking my coffee anyway (if not always for exactly 45 minutes), and I suspect most people would be able to find a way to incorporate this into their routine. This is one of those things that's unlikely to hurt even if it doesn't help, so other than the loss of money to buy it, I wasn't really risking anything in giving it a try. Still, I'm awfully glad I got it. The effects on my mood are subtle, but my mood wasn't all that terribly depressed to begin with, and the effect on my level of alertness was far more pronounced...which helps my mood. I don't regret getting this at all!