Light Therapy to Improve Energy, Mood and Alertness with Juuso Nissilä of the HumanCharger- EP052

It’s only natural to have the blues in the winter months when the days are shorter and there is less available sunlight. This mild form of seasonal affective disorder can be exacerbated by long hours working indoors, shift work or even long-distance travel.

 

 

 

Jusso Nissilä was studying neurobiology at the University of Oulu in 2005 when he made the connection between the photosensitivity of the human brain and the potential to deliver bright light therapy through the ear. Jusso founded Valkee in 2007, and by 2010, the HumanCharger was ready to go to market. Using the device for 12 minutes each day has been proven to increase energy levels, improve mood and increase mental alertness. To date, the HumanCharger has 70,000 users worldwide.

Today Jusso explains how he came to invent the HumanCharger, the benefits of using the device, and the science behind how light therapy affects the brain. He covers the research studies around recovery from jetlag and reaction time in athletes. Listen in to understand why Valkee has been transparent in delivering its findings to customers and how you can improve your cognitive function, mood and energy with the HumanCharger.

Topics Covered

[0:48] How Jusso came to invent the HumanCharger

• Oulu University biology department
• Long history of research on animals
• Proved that human brain photosensitive

[2:58] The benefits of the HumanCharger

• Use 12 minutes per day
• Improve mental alertness, mood
• Increase energy
• Alleviate jet lag

[4:56] How quickly the HumanCharger works

• Some report immediate reduction of anxiety
• Mood improves over course of weeks

[6:06] How the HumanCharger works

• Light affects brain by changing circadian rhythms
• Improve energy in fall when days shorter

[8:28] The best time to use the HumanCharger

• Morning, between 7-9am (personal variation)
• Put in ears, conduct normal morning routine
• Some use before bed to relieve anxiety

[11:23] The research studies around the HumanCharger

• Recover from jetlag 50% faster
• Increased reaction speed in hockey players (visual stimuli)

[15:28] Juuso’s take on the benefits of infrared light

• Infrared light has positive effects, some overlap
• HumanCharger targets blue light-sensing neurons

[16:38] The reported side effects of the HumanCharger

• Headache in first days of treatment

[17:38] The HumanCharger and vitamin D

• No UV light in treatment
• Not substitute for vitamin D

[19:12] Juuso’s response to Earlight Swindle

• Clickbait, fake news to put down young companies
• HumanCharger research peer-reviewed, published

[21:20] Valkee’s willingness to publish findings

• Delivered science to customers immediately

[24:50] Juuso’s advice to listeners

• Open to new findings in biology, medical science

Learn More About Juuso

HumanCharger

HumanCharger on Instagram

HumanCharger on Twitter

HumanCharger on YouTube

Valkee on Facebook

Resources

Links to HumanCharger Research Studies

Summary of Peer-Reviewed Research

‘Transcranial Bright Light and Symptoms of Jet Lag: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial’ in Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance

‘Effects of Bright Light Treatment on Psychomotor Speed in Athletes’ in Frontiers in Physiology