Can Vitamin D Lamps Really Cure Seasonal Depression?

SUNNY DELIGHT?

Flashing a sunshine-imitating light on your face has become popular for combatting SAD. But does it help?

Victoria Albert

woman in front of vitamin d happy lamp sunshine sun uva uvb ray phototherapy seasonal affective disorder depression SAD winter blues

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It’s the midst of winter, which means an estimated 10 million Americans are in the throes of Seasonal Affective Disorder. The depressive disorder—appropriately abbreviated as SAD—causes symptoms including hopelessness, sadness, fatigue, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating.

We aren’t yet sure how SAD works or what causes it, but vitamin D lamps have become increasingly popular as a possible treatment.

Does a sun-imitating lamp actually help SAD-sufferers, though? Not necessarily. In fact, doctors warn that if used incorrectly, the excess UVB rays could lead to burns or skin cancer—and that there’s already a more effective and safer treatment for SAD on the market.