Valkee Light-emitting earbuds - just crazy enough to work?

[1977ub]

Valkee Light-emitting earbuds - "just crazy enough to work?"

From Wired UK 2 years ago:

The concept for the Valkee sounds like the worst kind of snake-oil: It’s a little box that combats the dark blues of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) with bright lights. Nothing new there, except it shines the lights into your head through your ears.

Winter depression, in the form of SAD, has been treated with bright lights since forever. Researchers at the University of Oulu, Finland, say t’s not the eyes that need the light, it’s the brain. The ear canal is a convenient hole in the head through which to shine light, so the Valkee uses a pair of earbuds to light up the inside of your head, and stimulate photo-sensitive parts of the gray matter.

That’s the theory at least. Tests run at the University of Oulu confirm its efficacy, offering relief to nine out of 10 subjects with a daily 8- to 12-minute dose for four weeks. And not everyone is as skeptical as me. Valkee has received angel investment from such smart people as Esther Dyson and ex-Nokia boss Anssi Vanjoki.

Proper clinical trials are running now, which further inspires confidence. And for those in northern climes, where the winter months can bring nights that last weeks not hours, this 185-euro light box could prove to be a life saver. Available now.

- http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/01/earbuds-beat-depression-by-shining-lights-into-your-brain/

I get a bit down in the winter, and I'm curious, but probably not $300 curious...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006WLGDJ8/?tag=pfamazon01-20

 

[Pattonias]

This looks rediculous.

There is nothing in your ear that can detect light as far as I know. If you want to save some money, rig up some LED's and allow the placebo effect to help you feel better for 3-4$.