In a world constantly on the move, from battling jet lag to surviving dark winter months, our internal body clocks often get thrown entirely out of sync. This disruption affects our energy, mood and sleep. Enter the HumanCharger, a Finnish innovation that’s turning traditional light therapy on its head by delivering a burst of light directly through your ears. Let’s explore the science…
What Is The HumanCharger?
The HumanCharger is a portable light therapy device that looks like sleek, compact earphones with a unique twist: these earbuds, called LEDSet, emit a measured dose of light instead of sound. Developed in Finland, a country intimately familiar with long, dark winters, the device is expertly designed to provide the benefits of natural sunlight on demand. Small and discreet, it requires a quick 12-minute session to deliver its intended daily effect.
How Does Ear-Based Light Therapy Work?
Traditional light therapy involves sitting in front of a large lamp to receive light through the eyes, whereas the HumanCharger utilises transcranial light stimulation through the ear canals with tiny, UV-free, blue-enriched white LED lights housed in comfortable earbuds.
This scientific principle utilises the ear canal to offer a unique, convenient passageway for light to reach the photosensitive areas of the brain in order to activate regions of the brain responsible for regulating our circadian rhythm, the internal 24-hour body clock that controls sleep/wake cycles, energy and mood. By delivering light, particularly in the morning, the device helps to reset and align this rhythm, signalling to the brain that it’s time to be awake and alert.
The stimulation is also associated with the natural production of beneficial neurotransmitters like serotonin, referred to as the feel-good chemical, which is linked to elevated mood and increased alertness.
Health & Wellness Benefits: Why People Are “Charging Up”
The primary goal of the HumanCharger is to help maintain optimal cognitive and physiological functioning, especially when we are light-deprived or our circadian rhythm is disturbed. Jet lag is one of the most clinically-studied benefits, as rapidly crossing time zones throws our body clock into chaos. Clinical trials suggest that using the HumanCharger according to a timed schedule can reduce the time needed for full jet lag recovery by approximately 50%. By strategically administering the light, we can help our internal clock to adjust to the new time zone faster.
In high-latitude regions with prolonged darkness, many people suffer from the winter blues, which is a mild version of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Symptoms can include lethargy, irritability, and decreased energy. By providing a daily dose of bright, regulating light, the HumanCharger offers a portable way to alleviate these mood and energy dips.
For shift workers, students, or busy professionals who struggle with afternoon slumps, a 12-minute session can provide a natural, drug-free boost. It helps to promote wakefulness, improve focus, and increase mental alertness by stimulating the brain’s natural energy-regulating systems. By consistently helping to reset our circadian rhythm, the device can lead to more stable sleep patterns, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up feeling refreshed.
Ear based light therapy offers a unique combination of efficacy and convenience that sets it apart from traditional light therapy lamps. Being pocket sized it’s perfect for popping into my bag on the go, taking on my travels, using on a plane, in the office or at home when needed. With each session taking just 12mins, it fits seamlessly into my daily routine, no matter how busy my day becomes. The headset can conveniently be used whilst working, exercising or travelling without getting in the way or causing any distractions as it’s silent and discreet.
If your lifestyle involves frequent travel, shift work, or living through long, dark seasons, ear based light therapy promises a simple, natural solution to help you to feel more energetic, focused, and in sync with your day.
www.humancharger.com
Facebook: /Valkeehumancharger
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