Can earplugs that radiate light instead of music cure seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?

[Eldritch]

http://www.valkee.com/press/ValkeeNPT_black_close.jpg


VALKEE bright light headset

It’s not used for listening to music. It’s used for bright light therapy.

It channels bright light to where it is needed most, the brain. That’s why it prevents depression and can affect your mood.

In our clinical tests, approx. 9 patients out 10 experienced total relief of symptoms, which is a revolutionary result.

Just 8-12 minutes a day is enough.

http://www.valkee.com/en/

Questions: are there actually photosensitive cells in a person's ear canal or brain? Why are they marketing this already, before a placebo-controlled study has been done?

Wiki article on Seasonal affective disorder (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasonal_affective_disorder).

[Eldritch]

Here's (http://www.arcticstartup.com/2010/01/22/valkee-projects-light-onto-your-brain-literally/) an English blog post about this gadget.

Olen aina kuvitellut, että valoa aistitaan silmien avulla. Onneksi se oli korva eikä takapuoli. (http://murobbs.plaza.fi/yleista-keskustelua/635010-lamppu-korvassa-hoitaa-kaamosmasennuksen.html) ("Till now I have thought that you sense light with your eyes. But thankfully you do it with your ears, not with your ass"). :lightbul:

[Grumpy Cat]

I thought the light had to enter your eyes.

That's what my doc said, I get SAD so I asked if a tanning bed would help, and he said no because the light doesn't enter your eyes.

[Bloodeagle]

That's pretty cool.
I will have to make my own with a pair of powerful flashlights duck taped to my ears. :eek::D