health
March 13, 2026
Out of the blue? How the colour of light could be used to treat mental illness
A psychiatric unit in Norway has been testing its built-in lighting on conditions such as psychosis and depression
TL;DR
- A psychiatric ward in Trondheim is using dynamic lighting that removes blue wavelengths in the evening as a form of treatment.
- This intervention aims to regulate patients' circadian rhythms, which are often disrupted in mental illnesses.
- Patients in the circadian-adapted ward showed greater clinical improvement and reduced aggressive behavior.
- The lighting system is integrated into the ward's design, requiring no active participation from patients.
- Researchers are exploring the use of circadian lighting in care homes and for dementia patients.
- Future applications may involve personalized light therapy based on individual circadian rhythm patterns.
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