Light treatment in depression: an antique treatment with new insights

The use of light for its antidepressant action dates back to the beginnings of civilization. As early as 4700 years ago, Wong Tai mentioned the fluctuation of diseases with seasons, Hippocrates wrote on the interrelation between seasonal climates and mood (melancholia and mania) [1], and Aretaeus of Cappadocia prescribed, in the second century AD, that "Lethargics be laid in the light, and exposed to the rays of the sun, for the disease is gloom". While being reported for millennia, bright light therapy (BLT) in depression was not officially recognized until 30 years ago for treating the Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which may affect both unipolar and bipolar disorders (BD) [2].

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