Philips GoLite P1 Blue Spectrum Light Therapy Device
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Customer Reviews of Philips GoLite P1 Blue Spectrum Light Therapy Device
Customer Review: Can't Believe How Much My Life Has Changed
Summary: 5 Stars
To cut to the chase: I experienced 10+ years of chronic insomnia and a whole host of psychological problems as a result. I saw several therapists and was always upfront about my insomnia with doctors, but few--if any--suggested that my erratic sleep patterns could actually be causing my problems; most presumed that my difficulties with sleep stemmed from whatever other underlying problems I had and all suggested medications.
I moved from Northern U.S. locales to California for a brief 2 years, and found that my sleep problems all but disappeared. Surprisingly, so did my depressive episodes, which had previously rendered me incapable of sustaining work or school for very long without serious interruptions.
In moving back East, I decided to do more research on sleep and take matters into my own hands. I liked having a regular and natural sleep schedule, and did not want to have to medicate myself to get that result.
After taking the circadian rhythm test on Apollo's website, I realized that I might be experiencing delayed circadian rhythms. I bought the Apollo Health GoLite P1 Blue Spectrum Light Therapy Device after a lot of research about the many products on the market.
I'm glad that I didn't listen to the few negative reviews on Amazon: this light has changed my life. I feel instantly awake when I'm using it and more focused afterwards. Sleep is no longer a major problem in my life (at this point, anyway, but hopefully long-term, too!) and I managed to get through my first winter back without any recurrence of my depression.
I would (and do!) absolutely recommend this product, though I would also suggest getting a book on SAD ("Winter Blues, Revised Edition: Everything You Need to Know to Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder" is a great one, though I can't remember the author's name) and also taking the circadian rhythm test on Apollo's website, since there are many ways to use the light and if you are not using it correctly, apparently you can throw your body off even more.
I have used the light faithfully (at 80% power for 55 minutes per day) for the last 3 months, and it has never shown any sign of burning out or breaking down.
I know that this review is long, but I just can't emphasize enough how much this light has helped me.
Good luck!
Customer Review: Best Light Therapy Device I've Found...
Summary: 5 Stars
I sought out this lamp specifically for help with SAD. I noticed that I felt better, uplifted, within 15 minutes of use every time. This is the best light therapy lamp I have ever used. I've had this lamp for 30 days. I've used it everyday. I started out using it in 15 minute increments up to 2.5 hours per day. The manufacturer only suggests 15-30 minutes, but I have had a good experience using the lamp this way.
You can adjust the light intensity and I would actually recommend using it at 10% the first time, and work your way up to 100%. I usually use the lamp at 10% in the mornings and 100% in the afternoons. I like to use this lamp while either watching tv or working on my computer. I've reduced my usage to 1 hour per day in 30 minute increments. I find that I don't need the lamp as much as I did when I first got it, and I've been feeling better consistently.
As a note of caution, sometimes I experienced very slight nausea when I used the lamp upon awakening without eating. That has always disappeared as soon as I turned the lamp off. Otherwise, I never experienced any side effects.
This lamp is not helpful for tasking, i.e. reading, sewing or working on a computer. If you are looking for a tasking lamp, this is not the one. For tasking I got the BlueMax by Full Spectrum Solutions - excellent lamp! And, a nice supplement to the GoLite.
I would highly recommend this lamp for use with SAD. I have found other lamps "helpful" with SAD, but this lamp is EFFECTIVE with SAD.
The only thing I would like to change about this lamp, is it would be nice if it could operate from batteries recessed within the lamp, i.e. for travel. A battery pack is available as an accessory, but the lamp itself does not hold batteries.
TrueSun had the best price for $182 for this lamp, opposed to Apollo Health at $250. Nice people, and helpful.
Customer Review: VERY worthwhile investment in finding relief from SAD.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have to say, I was pretty skeptical about purchasing this. I've been affected by SAD - primarily in the form of sluggishness and lack of motivation - for as long as I can remember, and before I even knew what SAD even was. I'd never really done any research into how to treat the problem until last winter, when my energy was at an all-time low and I was having trouble just staying awake during the afternoon. I looked into various light-therapy options, and the GoLite seemed to have a good deal of scientific evidence to back up its claims. I really wasn't willing to spend $180 on something that would end up in the trash in a month, so I did a fair amount of homework trying to determine whether this was a legitimate treatment option or something out of a "miracle cure" infomercial. The Apollo website has some great information on how the GoLite works with your body's daily rhythms and also offers you the ability to plug in your own specific sleep/wake profile - which in turn tells you how to best use the light to meet your needs. Even with all of that info, I was still leery - but I decided to give it a try anyway.
To my relief and, frankly, amazement, the light delivered on its promises. I followed the schedule recommended for my profile, and within about 2 to 3 days started noticing a real boost in my energy level - particularly during the afternoon, which had been my real "blah" time. I used the light daily for the better part of last winter and started up with it again this fall, and it really has done wonders. The unit seems to be well made, is easy to use, and is nice and compact. Whether the light will work for others may depend upon the individual, but my experience with the GoLite has been excellent, and I would highly recommend to others who suffer from SAD. I don't write many product reviews, but I felt this one was truly worth sharing. Hope that helps.
Customer Review: Got my life back!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this on impulse--after feeling lousy for several years, and noticing that winters were worse than summers. After years of treatment by a slew of doctors, I figured this might help a little bit and at least it wasn't more pills to take. Within a couple of days I was waking up, with energy, in the morning with my family, not two or three hours later--which always happened once the winter months set in. Once I was up, I was able to get things done, not just crawl back in bed under the covers and watch TV and nap most of the day. No one could believe the change in me--so drastic and so quick!
I grew up in sunny Southern California and my winter illnesses started shortly after we moved to Seattle. Since then we moved to the East Coast and it's been problematic here as well. I would have terrible months with no relief from migraines and "chronic fatigue" (what the doctors say when they can't figure out what is wrong). Lately I had noticed I would start feeling a little better in the spring and summer. Since I dealt with the SAD and did some other treatments for the migraines, this past summer I was able to put the GoLite away and had my best health in years! But as soon as the days got short, my energy fell rapidly and my family had to remind me to use the light box again. If I skip a few days because of early-morning events or a short trip, I notice it.
I start with 30 minutes a day, but once I get going on a good schedule, I can often go down to 20 minutes until I slack off the schedule for a while, and then have to start back at 30 and work myself down. I put my GoLite on my computer desk and use it in the mornings when I check email and read articles online.
I've tied a 20" piece of string on to the cord connector so I can easily pull the string towards my face to make sure I'm at the optimal distance from the box.
Customer Review: Big relief in a little package
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had the P1 for around 3 years (bought it elsewhere for around the same price) because I was traveling a lot and couldn't bring my giant Verilux with me. The Verilux gave me a little relief from my sleep disorder, and I didn't expect any more from the P1. Surprise!!
I've got delayed-phase patterns, which requires light right when I get up. I had my doubts about getting up early enough. The first day I had to force myself out of bed; the second was a little easier; within another few days I was actually waking up at the same time I had been using the light. After my light therapy I'm awake and alert, I have better mood, more energy in the afternoon, and get tired at the appropriate time at night. I still drink my coffee, but need much less of it. I can use it as little as 10 minutes to get the continued effect, and missing a day or two doesn't give my body enough time to 'relapse.'
Someone else mentioned using the light for 1 1/2 hours to cause euphoria. BAD IDEA!! This thing is not a drug; if you're getting euphoria you should have yourself checked for a mood disorder. Apollo's recommendations for me are to use the light first thing for 30 minutes the first three days and then to reduce it to 15-20 minutes. Watch yourself; if you get jittery, move it further away or reduce the treatment time.
Also, be aware when your sleep pattern changes. Mine is different depending on the season, and has changed since menopause, so I visit Apollo's site regularly to update my treatment schedule, and I just stop using it in the summer. I also suggest starting to use it before you need it; it's a drag to be so down in October that I don't notice it until I've been suffering since September.