Experiencing a migraine can be incredibly disabling, especially when it’s accompanied by photophobia, an extreme sensitivity to light. If you’re one of the many people who suffer from this, you know that your only option is to retreat to a dark room and wait for the pain to subside. Traditional treatments, such as prescribed medications, only provide temporary relief and often come with a host of side effects.
However, an interesting new remedy may offer hope for photophobia sufferers, and it doesn’t come from a prescription bottle. Researchers from Harvard Medical School have discovered that a narrow band of green light can actually ease the symptoms of photophobia and may even relieve headache pain by 20 percent.
How Does Green Light Help?
To investigate the effects of different types of light on people with photophobia, researchers asked participants experiencing migraine attacks to report how several light intensities and light colors impacted their headache. They discovered that all colors of light at high intensities worsened headache symptoms, with the exception of green light.
The exact reason for the positive effect of green light remains unclear, but researchers noted that green light produced the smallest electrical signals in the retina and the cortex, indicating that the eyes are less sensitive to it. Additionally, animal study results revealed that neurons in the thalamus (the part of the brain that receives input from the retina) are least responsive to green light.
What’s Next?
Developing a practical solution using green light is going to take time and resources, as researchers will need to invent an inexpensive light bulb that produces green light at a low intensity in a narrow band wavelength.
However, colored light therapy is not a new concept. So, even though the exact bulb used in the study might not be available yet, it may be worth experimenting with green light therapy when a photophobia-related migraine strikes. After all, if it has the potential to alleviate your migraine symptoms, it’s worth a try.
Other Natural Remedies for Migraine Prevention
While green light therapy shows promising results for managing photophobia during migraines, it’s also important to consider preventative measures. One such natural remedy is coenzyme Q10, which has been shown to reduce migraine frequency when taken three times per day at a 100 mg dosage.
There are also several alternative and complementary therapies that have shown success in the fight against migraine pain and frequency. Some of these include:
- Acupressure: A form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves applying pressure to specific points on the body, known as acupoints, in order to stimulate the flow of energy (called qi or chi) and alleviate pain.
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Aromatherapy: The use of essential oils extracted from plants, such as lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus, which have been shown to help reduce migraine symptoms and promote relaxation.
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Biofeedback: A technique that teaches you to control autonomic responses (such as heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension) through monitoring of physiological indicators, enabling you to recognize and respond to migraine triggers.
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Dietary changes: Elimination diets, such as identifying and removing trigger foods, can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines for some individuals.
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Hydration: Staying well-hydrated is crucial for overall health, and dehydration is a known migraine trigger. Aim to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day, and more if you’re very active or live in a hot climate.
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Magnesium supplements: Magnesium has been found to help with migraine prevention. Low magnesium levels have been linked to migraine attacks. It is recommended to take 400-600mg of magnesium per day, as magnesium oxide or magnesium citrate.
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Physical activity: Regular exercise has been shown to help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines, as well as improve overall quality of life.
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Sleep hygiene: Establishing a good sleep routine, avoiding caffeine and other stimulants before bedtime, and ensuring a comfortable sleeping environment can all help promote better quality sleep, which in turn can help prevent migraines.
Understanding your migraine triggers and incorporating preventative measures into your lifestyle can go a long way toward reducing the severity and frequency of your migraines. By combining these strategies with potential new therapies, such as green light treatment, you may be able to manage migraines more effectively and take back control of your life.
