Negative Ion Generators and Seasonal Affective Disorder
I did a story a while back about seasonal affective disorder and light therapy. A study published around 12 years ago showed that negative ions and negative ion generators can also be effective in treating seasonal affective disorder (SAD). In 1995, Dr. Michael Terman published a study in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine titled: Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder with a High-Output Negative Ionizer- in the study, 58% of the subjects responded favorably to the high density negative ions while 15 % responded to the low output ions. The conclusion of the study was that
” Treatment with a high-density negative ionizer appears to act as a specific antidepressant for patients with seasonal affective disorder. The method may be useful as an alternative or supplement to light therapy and medications”
In that study, Dr. Terman used the Wein VI-2500 High Intensity Negative Ion Generator (I was mistaken in this comment, see Dr. Terman’s comment below- he used a different model). Also, see more light therapy products at www.eHealthSupplies.com. In addition to SAD, negative ion generators and negative ions have also been used as air cleaners. Negative ions are usually produced in nature by falling water such as rain. Their negative charge attracts positively charged air pollutants and subsequently provides particle free air.
Thanks for the notice, but you’re wrong: the study did not use a Wein VI-2500 ionizer (a product that was not even available in 1995). Rather, it used a high-end Swedish product called JoniCare. In subsequent clinical trials, we used Wein ionizers that were modified with grounded wrist straps or grounded bed sheets that served to direct ion flow to the body rather than walls, video, radiators and other grounded objects in the environment. Advertising claims for ionizers have been widely misleading and deceptive. See the nonprofit website of the Center for Environmental Therapeutics for clarification.
Michael Terman
December 24, 2007
i hear light boxes help… Is it important to use the light box at a specific time each morning or just sometime in the morning? I found some good advice here too: http://www.howtodothings.com/health-fitness/how-to-deal-with-seasonal-affective-disorder but I think I need a light box…
me
January 5, 2008