Light to stop you lighting up

Light therapy to help you stop smoking? It might sound like a strange idea but researchers at a US cancer centre have secured funding from drugs giant Pfizer to investigate this new application.

The theory is that light therapy might be able to help with symptoms of nicotine withdrawal such as depression, sleep disturbances, problems concentrating and increased appetite; we know that sufferers of seasonal affective disorder treat the same kind of symptoms very effectively with light. In addition, bright light is known to regulate the production of melatonin and other studies have shown that smokers taking melatonin supplements had fewer nicotine cravings. 

Participants in the study will use a light box for 45 minutes a day, will receive phone counselling and keep a record of how they’re feeling throughout the trial.

 

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