Apollo Golite: Does It Really Work?

Winter can be a challenge for many because the shorter days and longer nights leave us simply "light-deprived". Without the normal light stimulation, we often feel down, lethargic and unhappy. Light therapy provides a natural boost that helps you feel better, increases energy and even helps you sleep.

Using the right wavelength of light, you can trigger your active hormones naturally, boosting your mood and overcoming those down feelings, whatever the season. Blue light is the key. Researchers have learned that receptors in our eyes convert the blue light from the summer sky into the chemicals our bodies need to be active and energetic. We don't get this light in the winter, and indoor light doesn't replace this color, which is why our mood, energy and sleep patterns suffer.

Over the last several decades, dozens of research and clinical studies have shown the effects and potential benefits of light therapy for helping those with mood, sleep and energy problems. Philips, the manufacturer of the Apollo goLITE, have worked with the National Institutes of Health, NASA, the Mayo Clinic and others to develop the best light therapy products possible.

Theories are great, but how does the Apollo blulite actually affect people? Does it really help? The answer seems to be a resounding "Yes!" This is what actual users have reported after using the goLITE light:

from S. Wilder:
"I have been using the go lite blue for about a month now, and am completely convinced of its effectiveness in helping me fight the winter blues. I am a native of Southern California and now live in Massachusetts." more...

from Elizabeth:
"I use it for 15 minutes every morning (upon awakening) and I am happy and full of energy afterwards. If you suffer from seasonal affective disorder,winter blues, whatever people call it, PLEASE try it... This light works, period.. " more...

from Cricket:
"So it's been 9 days since I started using the goLITE and there has been one big change that was worth noting. I have always been someone to sleep a lot. On the weekends it was not unusual for me to sleep 10-12 hours straight. In the short time I have been using this I have been waking up every morning after only 6-8 hours of sleep feeling awake and alert, even when I tried to go back to sleep this weekend I was not able to. I am left to believe that this unit is helping regulate my body clock which is something I have been unable to do for 15 years. more...

The Zadro Sunlight 365 SAD Therapy Light Box is a portable, hand held or desktop device that emits blue LED light. And even though this unit is about a third of the price of the apollo golite, the emission of this light box still treats the effects of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). To get the best results you should use this light therapy box (or any light therapy unit) as early as possible in the morning for 30-60 minutes.

By simply glancing at the Zadro Light Therapy Box occasionally during a session you can significantly increase your mood and decrease the effects of the winter blues. The light rebalances melatonin and serotonin levels thereby tricking your body into thinking it's still summer!

While the technology is the same as the Philips Golite, you should think twice about getting this light. A lot of users have had trouble with the buttons that operate it and feel the quality of the plastic it's made out of is about as good as a plastic cup. Of course, if it's this light or nothing, then give this one a chance.

Introducing the briteLITE 6, Apollo's newest full-spectrum product, and the best one they've ever built. It improves on their previous models in several important ways. Most importantly, the briteLITE 6 provides a faster treatment. It produces more of the effective bandwidth of light than their earlier models did, so you'll feel better even faster.

The apollo briteLITE 6 is more compact than any full-spectrum, 10,000-lux light box they've ever offered. Its sleek new design gives it a much smaller footprint, so it takes up less space on your desk or table. They've also increased the effective field of the light, so you can use it at greater distances than before!

The new briteLITE 6 offers four timer settings, from 15 to 60 minutes. It remembers the last timer setting you chose, and shuts down automatically when your treatment time is finished, making it easier to use.

The difference between the Apollo goLITE and the briteLITE 6 is that the golite uses only blue light and the britelite uses the full spectrum of light. But what does that mean as far as which one is more effective?

Philips (the company that bought Apollo and manufactures both of the lights) says that a scientific study was conducted at Jefferson Medical University to find out what it is in the full spectrum light that helps with mood relief, depression, and getting your sleep cycle back on track.

They found that the effective light bandwidth is within the band of blue light waves. For this reason, the goLITE BLU only uses the blue light wave. Because you are getting the right kind of light you need, you actually use the goLITE BLU for about half the amount of time that you use a 10,000 lux light.

Since the goLITE is less expensive than the briteLITE 6, it seems obvious that the Golite Blu is the way to go.