Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) was uncovered in the 1980s by Dr. Norman Rosenthal. A form of depression that occurs primarily in winter months, it was later found to result from a lack of morning sunlight. Soon, studies had confirmed light therapy was as effective as antidepressant medications, with fewer side-effects and quicker uptake. Northern Light Technologies was the first company to offer an ergonomic, 10 000 Lux bright light therapy solution: the SADelite desk lamp. Its durable construction, high-power and low-consumption, full-spectrum bulbs, paired with ergonomic design all became major reasons why our desk lamps are widely used in scientific research, recommended by experts in chronobiology, and featured by CNN, Forbes and the New York Times.
Our original SADelite desk lamp has become a best-selling light therapy solution, mostly owing to its focus on comfort and ergonomics. All our desk lamps have taken cues from its engineering and design to effectively treat SAD and other circadian disorders. Broadly speaking, in order to be effective, any light therapy desk lamp ought to…
Since SAD’s discovery, scientists have found many other disorders respond to bright light therapy: Advanced and Delayed Sleep Phase Disorders (ASPD & DSPD, respectively), Parkinson’s, chronic back pain, and post-partum depression. The treatable symptoms of these disorders are all thought to share biological underpinnings, and light therapy can help alleviate their symptoms.
The light spectrum our desk lamps deliver is tuned to target the specific retinal cells that reset your biological clock. Naturally, these cells (called intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells) regulate your body’s circadian rhythm in response to bright morning sunlight. Our lamps do this by mimicking morning sunlight, providing 10,000 Lux of warm, diffuse white light.
While bright light therapy is widely considered to be the treatment of choice for SAD and other circadian/chronobiological disorders, in the fraction of cases where it isn’t effective, it’s usually owing to a lack of treatment consistency. Studies have shown that among the primary factors affecting treatment outcomes is patients abandoning treatment early. Most often, that’s because they’ve chosen a treatment that doesn’t quite meet their lifestyle needs. That’s why we offer a wide array of products: desk lamps, floor lamps, wall-mounted, and portable units. That way, you’re sure to find one that suits your specific routine. If you’re the type of person to sit by a desk or coffee table, or breakfast nook in the morning, a desk lamp could be right for delivering 10,000 Lux of bright light therapy, without changing anything else about your routine.
SAD is far from the only reason our customers seek out light therapy products. While there are a variety of disorders and syndromes affected by circadian issues, lifestyle and scheduling changes can often wreak havoc on your body’s natural cycle.
Light therapy can also influence the levels of mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. So, if you’re looking for a way to get and stay energized, without putting your daily routine in a blender, it might be time to consider bright light therapy.
Natural sunlight, at midday, can be as bright as 130,000 Lux. And, for comparison, the average desk lamp will only put out about 5-10 Lux. Clinicians and researchers agree that 10,000 Lux is the standard for clinically effective light therapy to help regulate your circadian rhythm and reduce SAD symptoms.
Usually, the retinal cells that reset your biological clock depend on bright morning sunlight as the “zeitgeber” (timing cue) to do their jobs. That’s why our desk lamps are powered by highly efficient, broad-spectrum LEDs and fluorescent bulbs. They’re designed specifically to mimic natural sunlight—putting out bright white light comparable to what you’d get at sunrise—while blocking over 99% of harmful UV rays, using durable acrylic filtering technology.
Ideal for your home, office, study or breakfast nook, the Boxelite delivers 10,000 Lux at up to 14”. Its sleek, minimalist design ensures that it will fit easily into nearly any room.
Designed in collaboration with Dr. Michael Terman (Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons), the Boxelite leveraged his invaluable expertise as the head of the Society for Light, Rhythms and Circadian Health at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and the Clinical Chronobiology Program at New York State Psychiatric Institute. Together, we’ve designed a product that will combat your Winter Blues with efficiency akin to surgical precision.
For light therapy to be effective, your eyes must fall within the 10,000 Lux area; the Boxelite’s large front lighting surface lets you sit comfortably, while ensuring you’re still well lit. Smaller units have difficulty providing comparable levels of comfort, requiring up-close seating positions, directly in front of the unit.
Its sleek, modern design language lets the Luxor fit nearly any home or workplace decor. Plus, using the very latest in LED bulb technology, the Luxor provides the utmost in comfortable lighting: bright, even, glare- and flicker-free. Delivering 10,000 Lux of full-spectrum white light at 12”—clinician-recommended for getting rid of the Winter Blues—The Luxor’s simplicity keeps it ultra reliable. And, consuming only 30 W, it’s also extremely efficient.
Our very first production unit, the Northern Light Desk Lamp prioritizes ergonomic design, maximizing its ability to deliver 10,000 Lux of bright, diffuse light, up to 18” away. Its state-of-the-art LED tubes are flicker-, glare- and hum-free, for the utmost in lighting comfort. Plus its angle and height are fully adjustable, so you can enjoy 10,000 Lux with unmatched comfort, wherever you plug it in.
Drawing just 50 W, it remains a leader in efficiency, with a 30,000 hour lifespan. And, with its robust metal construction and 7 year unlimited warranty, the Northern Lights Desk Lamp II is sure to last a lifetime. For any task that requires bright lighting, all while chasing away your winter blues, the Northern Lights Desk Lamp II will brighten up any setting—home or office.
Like its larger cousin, the Mini-Luxor’s sleek, modern design fits neatly with most any home or workplace decor. But, with its minimal form factor and footprint, the Mini Luxor is ideal for cozy living spaces and smaller offices. It uses the latest in LED bulb technology to deliver the most comfortable lighting experience possible from an ultra-efficient package.Hum-, glare- and flicker-free, the Mini-Luxor outputs 10,000 Lux of full-spectrum white light at 10”. And, consuming only 30 W, it’s also extremely efficient—all while being every bit as durable as our larger models.
The Travelite is the utmost in efficiency, portability, and durability. If you’re looking for a way to reset your circadian rhythm while you travel—whether avoiding jetlag, or visiting climates with shorter/darker days—the TRAVelite II comes equipped with state-of the art LED bulbs to ensure you can get 10,000 Lux of hum- and glare-free, full-spectrum white light, wherever you happen to be. Meanwhile, its ultra-efficient LED bulbs draw only 20 W, and its versatile stand allows you to choose between vertical and horizontal positioning, to suit your specific ergonomic needs.
Psychiatrists recommend getting 10,000 Lux bright light therapy for at least 20 minutes (and ideally 30 minutes) each morning, to help reset your circadian rhythm and break down melatonin. But, it’s important to consider that the brighter your lamp, the less time you’ll need. If you prefer to sit a bit further away, you can still get effective treatment by extending your sessions. The best predictor of successful bright light therapy is consistency. Patients can benefit from light therapy after just 3 weeks of treatment, but these tend to wane if treatment stops too soon. That’s why our desk lamps are ergonomically designed to suit all sorts of different lifestyles.
Plus, the state-of-the-art LED bulbs we use in all our desk lamps ensure you can sit at a comfortable distance, wherever you decide to use them. The diffuse, flicker-free white light we’ve engineered our desk lamps to provide ensures minimum glare, to keep you comfy without sacrificing the brightness necessary for lasting, effective relief.
As with any of our products, we highly recommend checking with your healthcare professional to ensure that your treatment plan will meet your specific needs. Ensuring that your lamp delivers enough bright light to be effective, while minimizing any potential discomfort, should always be the top priority.
All our lamps are equipped with the best in diffuse UV filtration, to provide the greatest possible illumination without glare or discomfort. At 10,000 Lux, all you’ll need is 20-30 minutes for your daily session. However, if you find this uncomfortable, you may want to sit a bit further away from your lamp (until you’re comfortable), while extending your sessions by 5 minutes, or until you’re back to feeling the full effect of your light therapy product. If you extend your sessions beyond 30 minutes, we recommend taking a short 5 minute break every half-hour before resuming.
Certain medications, or disorders can lead to skin and eye conditions rendering the skin or eyes hypersensitive to light. In such cases, phototherapy is generally ill-advised. Additionally, bright light therapy can contribute to manic symptoms in individuals with bipolar mood disorders. If such a disorder might put you at risk, we highly recommend consulting a physician before using any light therapy device.
SAD has no one-size-fits-all solution; so, we’ve developed a wide range of desk lamps that empowers our customers to choose what they want to emphasize in their treatment and lighting experiences. For those who need something portable, we have the slim and sleek Boxelite. For those who would rather minimize the footprint of their lamp, while preserving a sleek design, we have the Luxor and Mini Luxor. Those looking for the brightest light available, along with maximum ergonomic flexibility would opt for the Desk Lamp II. And finally, those who want the ultimate compromise between ergonomics, size, and brightness can choose between the Boxelite OS and LiteUp models.
| Model | Price | 10,000 Lux Distance | Power | Dimensions | Weight |
| Boxelite | $240 | 14” | 72 W | 17” x 12 ¼” x 2 ½” | 8 lbs |
| Boxelite OS | $255 | 14” | 72 W | 17” x 12 ¼” x 2 ½” | 9 lbs |
| Luxor | $165 | 12” | 30 W | Sides 15”
Height 11 ¼” |
4 lbs |
| Mini Luxor | $144 | 10” | 20 W | Sides 11 ½”
Height 8 ½” |
3 lbs |
| Desk Lamp II | $255 | 18” | 50 W | Base 11” x 6” x 2”
Shade 17 ½” x 7” x 3” |
5 lbs |
| Travelite | $229 | 12” | 36 W | 13 ¼” x 7 ¾” x 2 ½” | |
| LiteUp | 260 | 14” | 72 W | Shade 12” x 14” x 2 ½”
Height 22” on stand |
9 lbs |
With seven year lifetime warranties, and 60 day money-back guarantees, you can rest easy knowing that our bulbs and filters are built to last. Our bulbs have industry-leading durability rated for between 20,000 and 30,000 hours, and the custom UV filters are ultra scratch resistant. But, in case of any problems, we stock parts to make sure spares are always available when accidents happen.
But, if the bulbs in your Northern Lights desk lamp are finally starting to dim, that’s usually a sign that they’re nearing the end of their lifecycle. Contact Us to get restocked, and consult our easy-to-follow instructions pages to install your new bulbs.
Studies have shown that bright light therapy can yield results in just one week, providing lasting relief for people suffering from SAD and other circadian disorders.
All our lamps are fitted with custom designed acrylic UV filters. They block 99% of harmful UV rays to ensure that you can sit safely in front of your lamp without any harm to your eyes or skin.
Recent research suggests that adolescents can also benefit from light therapy. Especially as they reach adolescence, kids’ circadian rhythms can fluctuate tremendously and, in the extreme, lead to delayed sleep phase disorder. So, ensuring a regular sleep schedule, along with bright light every morning—especially during winter months, when the sun rises late—can be an effective way to keep your teenagers on track during darker periods.
Our lamps are all fitted with electronics that automatically select from 110-270 V, and 50 or 60 Hz. So they work nearly everywhere. Just pick up any plug adapter for ANZ, the EU, UK, and Americas and you’re ready to go!
The two most important considerations when using a light therapy desk lamp are (1) keeping yourself at a comfortable distance, right around the 10,000 Lux range and (2) ideally, making sure your lamp illuminates you from above—mimicking the way sunlight naturally illuminates the lower retina.
