Morning Bright Light Therapy for PTSD

Morning light therapy is not yet a proven treatment for PTSD. However, there is evidence that it improves PTSD symptoms and the potential side effects of bright light therapy are minimal. Currently, the recommended dose of light treatment is one hour of light each morning for four weeks. The light treatment should be started right when you wake up in the morning. However, you should not use light therapy if you wake up before 5am, are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, or have eye disease.

Morning light therapy has been used as a standalone treatment for seasonal and non-seasonal depression. Although morning light therapy has not yet been proven for PTSD, it has potential as both a standalone treatment as well as an adjunctive treatment. For example, there is evidence that morning light enhances extinction learning, which is thought to be an important element of some forms of psychotherapy for PTSD. More research is needed to determine how morning light treatment can best be used to treat PTSD.

We know that sleep disturbance is a critical component of PTSD. However, we are currently in the process of exploring how morning light therapy might lead to symptom improvement for individuals with PTSD. For example, it is possible that morning light may affect regions of the brain that have been linked to PTSD. It is also possible the morning light may affect sleep and circadian rhythms that are linked to PTSD. More research is needed to determine the ways in which morning light therapy leads to symptom improvement for individuals with PTSD.

Yes, receiving natural light can be effective in enhancing mood. Some bright light devices are designed to emit a wavelength of light that matches the peak sensitivity of the circadian photoreceptors in the eye. This means that they will be very effective in delivering an optimal dose of light. However, other forms of light in the morning can also be beneficial in enhancing mood and maintaining circadian rhythms.

This treatment has not yet been tested in traumatized youth. We hope that future studies will explore the potential of this treatment for youth.

We would recommend that someone doing morning light therapy should adjust their bedtime earlier as they start to wake up earlier. That way, they can ensure that they are not sleep deprived and ensure that they continue to get the same amount of total sleep. In general, sleep science shows that it’s best to pick a set bedtime and wake time and to adjust these times slowly rather than making big sudden changes.

Yes, it is important that light treatment is completed in the morning. Excessive light in the afternoon could push individuals’ circadian rhythms later, which tends to be associated with poorer mental health.