NatureBright SunTouch Plus Light and Ion Therapy Lamp

I Bought This Because Of Other People's Reviews - Sara Lane "Sara Lane on Dec 14, 2007 I Like

I have gotten down in the dumps around November every year. This year it got bad enough that I finally decided to buy a light box. What can I say, it works! I use it in the morning for 30 minutes while I check emails. If I have time I use it in the evening when I get home from work for another 30 minutes. The only cons I can think of is that the ionizer thing smells bad. Sort of a strong plastic smell. I have been using the light box for around a month. I feel very good. I am not down in the dumps at all. I highly recommend this if you have seasonal effective disorder like I do. I would have bought this years ago had I known it would actually work.

Helped Me With My Winter Blues - ladybowie on Jan 24, 2008 I Like

I moved from Virginia to Iowa in '06 and experienced SAD during my first winter here. It wasn't something that I recognized right away and by the time spring came, I was 30lbs heavier and suffering from moderate depression. After some extra warm weather exercise and a resolution to not let it happen to me again this year, I did some research on sunlight therapy and settled on this affordable NatureBright product.

I felt the difference within 2 days of using it! My mood brightened and I started to get my initiative back. Even though it is still cold and grey outside, I now go for walks, out to eat, on day trips and have started picking up forgotten projects around the house.

Per the instructions included with the lamp, I sit in front of it for 30 minutes in the morning and then sometimes another 30 minutes in the early afternoon. I have the Ion breeze on throughout the day.

In reference to the actual product, it has a timer which is wonderfully easy to operate and makes the 30 minute timing precise. There is an on/off switch for both the light and the ion air. The lighting area is about the size of a hardback book and has 4 long bulbs.

Overall, I feel that this is a great item to use to perk you up during those winter months inside!

Great Value! - Vonner2 on Jan 17, 2008 I Like

I researched a lot of these units and couldn't justify the expense, or how big and ugly they were. This unit is a great value, nice size, good appearance, quiet, has an automatic timer in 15 min increments then turns itself off. I almost didn't buy it because of the ion/ozone feature, but it has a separate on/off button so I just don't use it...though it does come in handy cleaning the air in my kitchen of cooking odors. Anyway, I love it. Winter in Wisconsin seems to last forever, and this winter I have my own little piece of sunshine!

It Wirks - A. Tieman "The Libra on May 8, 2008 I Like

I read a lot of reviews before purchasing this product and most addressed the unit's fragility, and the smell. As to the fragility: I've knocked the sunlamp off of the table onto a hardwood floor, and it still works.
The smell: I really don't like the smell, I'm very sensitive to smells, but you can shut that part off and just use the sunlamp.

The product description says that the ionic feature is good for allergies, and maybe once you get used to the smell it works. I can't handle it, so I'm not going to try again until I'm really stuffed up.

I've been using the sunlamp feature for about two weeks and I've noticed a marked increase in my energy (it has been very overcast lately, which usually makes me want to sleep all day), I've been sleeping more soundly and waking up refreshed as well. Nothing else has changed in my life, so I have to give credit to the lamp.

Another of my concerns was the practicality of staring at a lamp for fifteen minutes a day, in the morning, I set it up slightly behind my computer screen and barely notice it.

I have no regrets about the money I spent on this item, it was totally worth it.

I Wouldnt' Have Believed It If I Hadn't Tried It - Super Happy Gal on Feb 28, 2008 I Like

I'm a 34 year old woman. I've used this light faithfully for about a month. Until about day #12 I would have told you it was a hoax. But the light said it could take up to two weeks before you could see results. So I stuck with it and I will tell you that it really works. It's a subtle but big difference (i.e. it doesn't change your personality, just your energy and mood) in my mood and energy level. I will use this at the beginning of every winter, into spring. I get really tired with low energy in winter. My energy level has gradually increased until I am my regular, energetic self. I've told all my sisters to get one. I work as a nail technician and have told my clients to get one. Everyone is wondering if I get some kind of kickback from Naturebright. I tell them that I should be, but I'm not. I use my husband as the real critic and he swears it has made me a lot more energetic with a more even mood. So there you have it. Also, I looked at the Mayo-clinic websight and their research seems to support the light therapy. My dad is a psychologist and all the research he's read supports light therapy. Just make sure you get a 10,000 lux lamp. I really like this one, though because of the optional ion thing. Even though I have no feedback on that because I haven't used that yet. I wanted to try one thing at a time so I would know the difference. This is getting long. Anywho, I would definitely recommend this lamp for its effectiveness and reasonable price. See ya!

SAD Light -purchased To Change My Circadian Rhythm - Q on Jan 27, 2008 I Like

The SAD lamp/box has worked well with changing my circadian rhythm. The price point is good and I had it reviewed (and many other of these types of lamps) by an opthalmologist and he deemed it to be the safest at that price point. Even at that price point, he said that it is absolutely safe (for the retinas). The only displeasure I have with it is an unpleasant rubber or plastic smell. If the company could eliminate that, I would give it five stars instead of four.

Shouldn't Have Waited So Long - S. James on Dec 17, 2007 I Like

My doctor recommended light therapy for me 12 years ago, but I thought it was bunk. This season seemed worse for me and I bought one as a last ditch effort to avoid anti-depressant medications. I wish I bought it years ago! Don't know how or why, but it works! I've recommended it to other family members who suffer with SAD. Don't wait. Avoid the drugs.

It's A Help - Ermaho2 "Ermaho2" on Dec 11, 2007 I Like

Having suffered for years with seasonal mood disorder, this product has helped quite a bit. I've found I feel more alert and have less headaches.
The fact that it also emits negative ions to breathe for 30 minutes is a definite plus.

THIS REALLY HELPS - K.E.B. on Feb 24, 2009 I Like

I bought this (also after reading reviews) and all I can report is ......... this light ACTUALLY HELPS !!

I've been using it twice a day and my messed up body clock is resetting !! Somehow, I'd been waking at 1:30 AM CST and going to bed at about 6 p CST. This little miracle product is getting my sleep/wake schedule regulated back to normal. I'm also noticing an improvement in my energy levels.

So far, I've not had any problems with the ionizer that some reviewers have cited.

PROs:
1. Actually helps !
2. Cord is 6 feet so easy for positioning.
3. Instruction manual provides times and settings for use (more can be found via sun therapy books)
4. If ladies choose to apply makeup while using it, it provides a great light as well.
CONS:
Truthfully, have not found a single one.

I can't stay enough about how terrific this sun therapy light is !!

Great Gift Item - Rachel on Jan 17, 2008 I Like

I purchased one of these for each of my parents (in their 50s). We live in Michigan, and by February every year, they are both itching to jump on the next plane to Mexico just to see sunlight. So, I figured that the light therapy would be helpful to them.

They are skeptical enough that they said that it's not like actual sunlight, but that they do notice a difference when they have it flipped on next to their desks all day. My dad traveled last week and said that he wished he had packed his to take with him.

Light Box: Superb; Ionizer: FRAUD! - Quantum Mechanic on Sep 16, 2010 I Like

Buy this for the light, not the ionizer. The light is very pleasant and effective at helping my delayed sleep phase disorder. But the ionizer is a fraud based on faulty science. I will give the manufacturers the benefit of the doubt and say they are not knowingly trying to deceive us with fake science. I will just assume they are ignorant. Please read on if interested in the real science.

Before you roll your eyes and blow me off, know that I am a physical chemist and I write this review for no purpose other than to help inform people who dont have the time to look into the real science. I will explain first, why the light box works, and then why the ionizer is a fraud. Pardon the science jargon...

Why the light box can help mood and circadian rhythm (body's internal clock): Our bodies have evolved (or been designed) to wake when the sun comes up and sleep when it goes down. To do this our brain releases seratonin when we are exposed to sunlight (particularly green and blue wavelengths). Seratonin triggers our awake mode. Makes us feel energetic and happy. Using the light box in the morning helps train our brains to release seratonin in the AM when we want to wake up. I was able to help my delayed sleep phase disorder with this. This is a proven and known effect (it has been known for decades, even though the manufacturers mislead the consumer by saying it is a new discovery).

Now, why the ionizer is a fraud based on false science. That weird smell people complain about is ozone. A strong oxidant (read: POISON/TOXIN!!). Ions are not "odorless, tasteless, electron-sized particles found in refreshing environments like on beaches and around waterfalls". Anyone who has taken (and understood) a high school chemistry class could tell you that. Salt dissolves in water to form sodium and chlorine ions. Can you taste salt water? You bet! Strike one. Ions are massive compared to an electron. The only thing the same size as an electron is a positron (anti-particle of an electron). Strike two. Oceans and waterfalls smell the way they do because of water droplets in the air with dissolved minerals and organics. This is actually not good for you lungs. I live in San Diego and go to the beach weekly to surf. Breathing the moist air for too long can leave you congested. Strike three. Moving on to the next batter, I will explain the ozone. The ionizer creates an electric charge that breaks atmospheric oxygen (O2) into atomic oxygen (just an O atom) which quickly reacts with another O2 to form ozone (O3): O2 -> O + O, O + O2 -> O3. Ozone is bad for you! It forms free radicals when reacting with organic material, like our lungs. Thats why it was used as a disinfectant for a while, it kills living things like bacteria. It wont kill us in small amounts, but it will irritate you respiratory system and cause a whole slew of problems like asthma. They used to cancel school in Los Angeles during the 70's when the concentration of ozone would get too high to be safe (due to pollution). Now here we are thirty years later being tricked into willingly exposing ourselves to it. Strike one, two and three. Why the FDA doesnt step in, I dont know...

Stopped Working After 5 Days - ERSC in PGH on Nov 12, 2008 I Like

I used the NatureBright lamp for about 5 days but when I went to turn it on the sixth time, it would not power up. I checked my power source and it's definitely the lamp that's defective. I'm returning the item and am going to look into different brands of light therapy devices. The price of the NatureBright was the lowest on the market which is why I was so hopeful that it would be a good product. I can say that I definitely noticed some improvement in my energy levels and I was excited to see how the light therapy was going to work in the long term. I'd still recommend trying the NatureBright. The return policy on Amazon is great so you have nothing to lose.

Suntouch SAD Ion Lamp - Gisela R. Ashley "gi on Feb 22, 2008 I Like

Nice size...very very bright light which takes getting used to. Bought it for my husband since we live in the northeast and he has a tough time in the winter months...I researched lamps after taking a class on depression in my graduate program...this has all the necessary components (10,000 lux, Ion) and a superb price!

Easy To Use, Seems To Work - Dana Keller Cornie on Dec 31, 2007 I Like

With two young kids, sitting in front of this for 30 minutes is kind of hit and miss for me, but I will say, I have noticed a difference in my mood. This light has helped my mild depression and general blahs due to the dreary gray rainy Seattle winter. It has also helped my husband who was having a hard time when we switched to daylight savings. It's fairly sturdy too. I've dropped it a couple of times and it didn't break.

Caustic Ozone, Where Are The Ions? - JonTechie "JonTechie on Sep 17, 2011 I Like

I am writing as an electronics techie. I smelled something suspicious as soon as I turned on the ionizer in this product, and in five minutes I started coughing, quite sure this was ozone. So I borrowed an ion meter and and ozone meter to test it out. Ion output? Zero! Ozone output? 0.209 parts per million within 10-15 minutes. I checked the Web for ozone health standards ([...]). Devices that produce ozone, it says, can decrease lung function, aggravate asthma, and cause throat irritation and cough, chest pain and shortness of breath, inflammation of lung tissue, and higher susceptibility to lung infection. The risk of course depends on the amount of ozone. The Environmental Protection Agency states the risk level at 0.08 parts per million, the Food and Drug Administration states it at 0.05 parts per million, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health state it at 0.10 parts per million. NIOSH goes further by saying this level is "not to be exceeded at any time." So, what about 0.266 parts per million from the SunTouch Plus? I have to conclude that this product is defective and dangerous, and cannot be used to obtain an ion effect.

An additional observation, 11/2/11: The company has now put a so-called "Educational Kit" on its website, which deserves critical review, because of several inaccuracies and deceptions. One case in point: they reprint a graph on page 7 from the American Journal of Psychiatry, without crediting the authors or posting a reprint permission statement from the Journal. They imply that their device would produce results as good or better than Prozac -- a medical claim for a device without FDA approval! Looking at this article (Amer. J. Psychiatry 2006, volume 163, pages 805-812), one finds that the study used a substantially different light therapy device: "The active light treatment consisted of daily exposure to a white fluorescent light box (Uplift Technologies Inc. [Dartmouth,N.S.], Model Daylight 10000, fitted with an ultraviolet filter and rated at 10,000 lux at a distance of 14 in from screen to cornea) for 30 minutes as soon as possible after awakening, between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m." According Uplift's specifications, this device produces illumination at 4000 Kelvin color temperature (a slightly pinkish, white hue), and directs the light downward toward the eyes through a translucent diffusing filter. According to Nature Bright's specifications, their device produces 16,668 Kelvin color temperature (a cold blue hue), and the light is directed straightforward and upwards toward the eyes without a diffusion filter. The obvious result -- as I have experienced -- is intense visual glare. Certainly one cannot assume that the two devices would produce the same results, whether or not compared with Prozac.

Wonderful Product - G. Aho on Jan 2, 2008 I Like

I have had SAD or seasonal affective disorder for as long as I can remember but this year it seems to be substantially worse. I purchased this light box after hearing about it from friends and I must say it has worked wonderfully. I have more energy, less fatigue, and I feel like my old self. I do advise some caution as it can cause mania if used in excess.

The air Ionizer does smell a bit odd but it helps especially if you have allergies.

I highly recommend this product.

Not Bad For The Money. - D. Sutton "amazon ad on Jan 29, 2008 I Like

I was very excited to get this lamp to help with my slight Seasonal Affective Disorder. I leave the ion function running during the day and use the light to help wake up in the morning. I have it next to my bed but the light from the buttons need to be covered because they are very bright. The ions smell a little funny and it buzzes a little in this mode, but it's mostly fine. The light is great in the morning. It really helps me wake up and has replaced my morning coffee. I have not hit the snooze button since I bought this lamp. I live in Ohio and wake up at 6 when the sun is rising around 7:30. When I bought it the price was about $110.

Sun Touch Plus Light - Koorosh Vafadari "Ko on Dec 31, 2007 I Like

This is an excellent product. I moved to Michigan a few years ago and have been struggling with feeling down during winter. I had heard about the SAD light from friends, but now that I finally purchased one, I can truly see its positive effects. If you are like me and feel down during the winter because of the lack of Sun, I would highly recommend this product. It is well worth the money.

As for the seller, they had prompt delivery and the lamp was well packaged. I have not run into any problems with the light, so I cannot comment on after sale service, but I am very pleased overall.

My Favorite SAD Light, Stands Above The Rest - Kevin K. Fosler on Nov 9, 2009 I Like

I have used several different SAD lights in the past. I find this one to be one of the most effective, the most thoughtfully designed, the most convenient, and the most affordable (for a true SAD light, not an imitator).

Most effective:
As they say, the proof is in the pudding. This light simply works. I have Seasonal Affective Disorder and always get hit very hard with depression starting in early fall through the winter season here in Wisconsin. I used a friend's SunTouch Plus light last winter and it helped a lot, so this winter I got my own. I don't understand exactly how it works, but it definitely does. I also seem to get a positive effect from the ionizer function.

Most thoughtfully designed and most convenient:
This is a very compact unit. Unlike the big, bulky light boxes, I can easily carry it from one place to another in my home. When using my laptop I can easily position the unit on one side for a period of time and then easily move it to the other side so that both eyes get the same amount of light. The angle is just right for use at my computer desk, my dining room table, and on an end table in my living room. The timer is great, and can be set to 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes and it will turn off by itself. I don't have to be preoccupied looking at a clock or setting a separate timer.

The most affordable:
I have tried less expensive alternatives, but they tend to not be true SAD lights. This one is a true SAD light, not a cheap imitator. It is priced right though -- currently on Amazon it's around $125, which is about half of what other SAD lights and light boxes cost.

I highly recommend this SAD light. I have tried many others and this one is by far my favorite.

Pretty Good Light Therapy For The Price - L. C. Jones on Dec 26, 2008 I Like

This Christmas Season I am serioulsy thinking about getting the Philips GoLight because of the great reviews it's getting. Last year I received the SunTouch (made by Apollo at that time) Plus and used it a few times during the dark days of Winter in 2007. I did feel somewhat better on those days but I'm not one easily able to discipline myself to sit in one location within the recommended distance from this lamp. Also, I didn't find it easy to put this lamp in my front of me right after awakening and was nervous about using it later in the day because of the circadian rhymthm thing. So, in a sense, a quirky neurosis or 2 kept me from consistently using it last year.

This Winter in Alabama has been one the dreariest we've seen in a long time. I don't think the sun has peeped from behind the clouds in over 5 weeks! Since the days are naturally shorter this time of year, the overcast weather has quadrupled the normal, seasonal light deprivation effects. About a week ago, when all my friends were talking about how the lack of light affected their moods negatively, I made a committment to get out the SunTouch (which had been put aside and practically forgotten) and muster the discipline to sit in front of it for 15-30 minutes upon arising.

The first 2 days I used the device, I noticed I could tolerate Christmas music again and even found myself singing along to a couple of Christmas songs. I also have found myself sleeping more deeply at night without the need to get up several times during the night for trips to the fridge to eat homemade white chocolate Christmas Fudge, which can be very fattening. After over a week of using the SunTouch and experiencing the benefits I now find it well worth the committment and the small discipline needed to get the recommended 15 to 30 minutes of light therapy per day. This has been one of the least blue Christmases seasons I can remember in years. I attribute most of that to this device.

I still want to purchase a Philips GoLight because of the portability feature and the wider distance range for the device to be effective. Having to sit so close to the SunTouch I find to be somewhat limiting. However, for the price I now find the SunTouch is an effective product when used regularly. I give it 5 stars because it really works for me to spirit away the Winter Blues and its not as expensive as the Philips GoLight.

Works In Winter And Summer, Too! - ARIES47 on Aug 29, 2010 I Like

I purchased the NatureBright SunTouch Plus in the winter. After 4 days, I felt better. More energy, improved mood, less anxiety and it even alleviated my backpain, which I think was associated with the the endorphins kicking in.

I hadn't used it since April, and this summer had been unusually hot and humid, so I have not spent enough time outdoors in the sunshine.

I'd begun having trouble sleeping and feeling a bit "low", and decided to turn on my Lightbox in the morning while having breakfast.

It started to work for me this time on the FIRST DAY. I've been using it now for 2 weeks, and have been feeling great ever since. I'm sleeping better, even dreaming better. It's amazing.

I never knew that there was a Spring/summer type of SAD, but it makes sense, especially if you can not get outside during the warmer months, as was the case with me this year.

This lightbox is very helpful in alleviating the symptoms of not only depression, but anxiety and pain as well. The three can go together, so it only makes sense that if you get rid of one symptom, the others will also be removed.

I am going to use my lightbox year round. It only takes 15-30 minutes per day for me, and what better way to start the day and feel great?
Highly recommend this particular lightbox.

I also love the feature that the LightBox has for the Ions. It's a springlike smell, kind of sweet. Sometimes, I sleep with the Ions on at night. Especially with the Air Conditioners on in this heat, it's nice to still be able to "smell" the outside....it's a nice smell.

-------- UPDATE--------

It's now October. I've been using my lightbox since the summer, when I had the backpain. I'm more energized than ever, and even hiked twice in the last week, 3 hours each time. My energy levels are wonderful, I'm sleeping real well, and I wake up feeling GOOD.

This light works for so many different things, from pain to depression, and even anxiety. I would recommend if you have any of the above, use it all year round.

I don't know, but I like the ionizer smell. It is a sweet smell, just like the first days of spring, when you can catch a whiff of that "certain something" in the air? It is not a chemical smell, but a sweet, spring like smell. I love it:)

--------UPDATE--------
It's December of 2011. Have been using my Lightbox to keep the low mood from coming back, and I continue to get benefits. I use this twice daily in winter, 15 min in the a.m., 15 in the early evening. Twice weekly, I will do a 30 minute morning session, to make sure things stay on track. I've read that it's alright to use year round, for those who don't want to get off track (say during spring, summer, and then forget and get unmotivated to start using their box again.) I find using it every day and staying in the routine works well for me.

Surprisingly Effective - A. Webber on Oct 23, 2009 I Like

Seattle can be stunning, but after months of grey skies, spirits can sag and energy can be lacking. A friend bought me this light box for Christmas a couple of years ago and though curious, I had little hope that it would help. I decided to keep an open mind and try it anyway. I noticed an immediate improvement in alertness and energy levels. For years, my body struggled with those dark grey winter mornings. I felt sluggish, unmotivated and sad. The Suntouch brought me back into a proper cycle where morning actually feels like morning. It's almost become addictive; I wake in the morning anticipating my time in front of the light box. I confess, when it's not on I catch myself casting loving gazes in its general direction. I think it knows...

I'm a bit puzzled by the complaints relating to the smell of the ion generator; I love the smell it emits and have come to associate it with the entire pleasant experience. It can best be described as 'digital ocean'. I admit, more than once I've found myself sniffing the ion ports when I've needed a boost. There is something cheering in that smell; think of the energy you got from the trailing edge of a thunderstorm as a child. After experiencing the Suntouch, I would not even consider a light box without a negative ion generator. Actually, I can't think of a more perfect product--it's small, durable (I too have dropped mine with no ill effects), attractive and makes a noticeable and immediate improvement in quality of life. I was very skeptical in the beginning but have been completely won over.

It Works! - Alan Q. Crego II "Ch on Feb 25, 2008 I Like

I ordered this light out of desperation. I was very depressed. After three days of light therapy I felt a definite change and it got better from there. The only critisizm I have is that the angle the light sits at is not quite sharp enough for me. I have to shim the front to get the light at the right angle. Other than that I love it.

This Light Is Sadly Fantastic. - Jerry A on Jan 25, 2011 I Like

Let me say, I hate that I love this light. It is big, white, bright as all heck, and spending 30 minutes of your day in front of it might cure depression because getting away from it already makes you happier. Yet I can say, it does work.

This is no miracle cure, many people struggle from Seasonal Affected Disorder and the cures are as varied as the causes. Many people convince themselves they suffer from a psychological condition after experiencing something that would cause any normal person, normal depression: break ups, loss of job, realization that society is spiraling towards self destruction. This light will not fix any of these problems. However, if you live in a northern state, and struggle from time to time to push yourself out of the house. If you struggle to deal with people, and find yourself more likely to be angry over the little things that truly don't matter. If your house is your haven in the winter, and you fight the roads and traffic to finally get home and feel comfortable again, then this light may be for you.

It works well, and I'll admit it's a type of energy I haven't felt in awhile. I live in California, but I grew up in Michigan. Recently I traveled home to visit family, and within two days, I felt the sun withdrawal. It was hard to visit old friends, and muster the courage to go out of the house. I am the man that sleeps exactly 7 hours a night, swallows a truck load of coffee, and leaps at the day. Yet the lack of sunlight and my S.A.D disorder pulled me into the white abyss of a Michigan January. So I purchased this via Amazon Prime, selected 1 day shipping, and waited.

It arrived well packaged, decently constructed, and bigger than I assumed it would be. I plugged it in and went. The bright light is annoying, and for best absorption, you are supposed to allow it to enter your eyes, not skin. That means occasionally starring straight at it. 30 minutes feels like forever under this light, even with coffee. The first day I felt nothing, and the feeling did not kick in til the evening. It's a hard feeling to describe. It's like drinking a Red Bull, but with less hype energy. It feels like a more sustainable energy. I felt....good. And so far, every day for a week I have used this, it has given me the same thing.

This will not fix depression, as the root causes need to be addressed through therapy, religion, and self exploration. However, for the "Winter Blues" it will give you the energy you need to do something with your life. It's left me with a somewhat hollow feeling, as I realize having spent 21 years in Michigan, and just now finding this light at 23, I may have been missing out.

I implore you to try it. Save your receipt, take good care of the box. This product may simply not be good for you if you do not truly have S.A.D. But if you feel you might, try it. If you feel nothing in two days, send it back. The alternatives, prescription medicine or dealing with it, make this light far worth the attempt. Give it a try, let me know how it works.

So Far So Good - J. Whitney on Oct 22, 2008 I Like

I bought this for my wife and it arrived very quickly. It's working great. Suggestion: order this in the off season. They get more expensive in the darker, shorter days of the winter months. Then in summer, they are available at a discount.

Works Well - A. Every on Jan 24, 2009 I Like

I bought this in December to help with waking up and the relatively mild SAD I experience in the Northwest. It's bright, it turns on and off, the timer works, and it does everything it's supposed to do. I didn't really care about the ionizer, but I've found that it does make a nice fresh-air smell. I forgot to turn off the ionizer one day and when I came home from work my room smelled like I had had the windows open all day, which is a nice thing. I don't find it has a weird plastic-y smell like some people have mentioned. I would say for the price it's a generally good unit.

It Works! - B. Byers "Upsydaisie on Dec 30, 2008 I Like

I use the SunTouch Plus Ion Therapy Light on a daily basis during winter months and on days I just can't seem to stay awake. It has been very helpful for SAD and even low grade residual depression. Although I add a word of caution: I like to use the light on an extended basis as I am working on the computer. Those who may be prone to mood disorders may find that this light may keep you awake at night if you are not careful as to how much you use it. Light therapy truly is helpful, and this is a good product. It was covered and reimbursed by my health insurance for the full amount as my doctor wrote a prescription for it. Also. once the "new" smell of the ionizer wears away, the scent is like that of after a rain storm.

A Miracle! - J. Davies on Dec 4, 2009 I Like

I cannot believe how wonderful this product is. If I knew, I would have bought it years ago! I have suffered from SAD for years, since college, getting progressively worse each year. Last winter was the longest, grayest and coldest in memory in the Chicagoland area. We followed with a cool gray summer and long, cool gray fall. I was at my wits end. Amazon had a price on lamps that was reasonable compared to any lamps sold in years past. In just a few short days I feel amazing! I use the lamp for 30 minutes in the morning while checking emails, and again for 10 minutes in the late afternoon. It is dark here around 4:30pm with the worst yet to come. It has been gray 9 out of 10 days on average. I usually NEED a nap around 3pm and the length was increasing from 30 minutes to over an hour. I have not taken or felt the need to take a nap since using the lamp. Also, I would usually be crashing by 8pm, struggling to keep my eyes open until 10:30, not any longer. I wake up refreshed at 4:30am-my usual summer time-I am a morning person ; ) I have had more energy and enthusiasm and feel much more like myself. I am getting a lamp for my mother and recommending it to anyone who asks about my improved mood and energy level. I can't say enough positive things about this product and I never write reviews. I can only say try this lamp. Oh...I do not mind the negative ion therapy. It doesn't smell bad, as others wrote, kind of like the smell after a good rain. The unit is the perfect size to sit on a desk and seems quite sturdy. I terrific value for my mental well being!!!

Light And Ion Therapy - A Good Investment - GRACE on Nov 13, 2009 I Like

I was a bit of a skeptic when someone encouraged me to check out light therapy. Having struggled greatly over the past few winters, I decided there was little to lose. I chose this particular product because it had received many reviews, most of which were positive. Also, it was more affordable that other brands/models. I have been very pleased with the product. It is hard to quantify how the NatureBright lamp has helped me but having had doubts before trying it, I firmly believe it is helpful. The odor several had commented on is minimal at worst and is simply not an issue for me. The light "feeds" a craving for light/warmth from the sun that is absent this time of year. The product is a little bulky though not heavy and this is a trade off I can live with. Though I have only had it for a brief period, I look forward to using it daily and for me it has been a good investment.

Great Item! - Jimmy Durchslag on Mar 10, 2009 I Like

Perfect to keep energy up when in front of the computer all day. I ordered it to replace an old box style Ott light purchased many years ago. Replacement bulbs for that are no longer available and it had lost its brightness. I used to leave it on all day long. This light is VERY bright and I like the fact that you can use it for 30 to 60 minutes with the timer. I probably have it on for 30 minutes 3 to 4 times a day.

It is true that the negative ion generator smells a very little bit, but it is not unpleasant and I think adds to the mood elevation aspect. And, as many reviews state, can be turned on or off separately. Good deal; highly recommend.

Bye Bye Winter Blues! - J. Bowley "J B" on Jan 7, 2008 I Like

I have had winter SAD for a long time and if I knew the enormous difference this thing would have made I could have saved myself many seasons of suffering. Within a few days my mood has done a complete 180! I feel like "my old self" again! Thanks Naturebright your product has changed my life and I dont ever want to go without it again.

Light Therapy Makes Me Happy - Cheryl Schmidt "Cook on Jan 9, 2008 I Like

Got this for my daughter for the winters here in IL. After 2 days she said she had enough energy to take the dog for a walk! When she doesn't use it for a few days she claims she is tired, crabby, and short-tempered. She is happier, more energetic and even has the energy to exercise. Beats pills and therapists and costs alot less too!

Check Before You Buy - pj on Oct 6, 2011 I Like

Be careful before you buy!

I was looking forward to using my SunTouch, but that soon turned to disappointment when I tried to confirm the "no UV" claim after I received the light. NatureBright said, by e-mail, that ETL, the third-party tester of the light, confirmed the no UV claim. They wrote, "This product is ETL approved. The certificate number 3014746. No UV."

I contacted ETL directly to double-check their "no UV" approval standards, since UV that close to my face and eyes was a concern. They stated, "We do not currently show this product being listed." Does that that mean no testing for UV, lux, electrical or any other safety issues? ETL sent me the link to their online directory of listed products to check for myself -[...].

I also used a light meter to check the lux and I did not get anything near 10,000 lux at 30 inches, as claimed on their website. It was more like 800-900 lux, but I tested this at home with a hand-held light meter not in a lab.

Unfortunately, with the time it took to get the answers I missed the return window Amazon offers and now have an expensive novelty paperweight that I am afraid to plug in. Look before you leap.

Best For The Buck - Lonely and SAD on May 8, 2009 I Like

Like a lot of Oregonians, I suffered from SAD for years. (There is a reason that Oregon has the most suicides.) Just using this product for a few days made a marked improvement in my mood and energy level in the mornings.

After 2 weeks the effect kind of hit a plateau, but the good news is that, with continued use, the improvement again increased and today I am happier than I have been in many, many years

A Significant Change! - DocMo on Jan 7, 2009 I Like

I'll just be brief in saying that my wife has suffered from SAD for years. We bought this baby to last through the gloomy Michigan winters, and O' what a difference it has been. It's amazing. We went on vacation and she didn't have access to the treatments for a week, and it showed. We got back home and the first thing she started was her light treatments and bam! back to normal. I use this occasionally and do see a difference, but I don't suffer from SAD as significantly as my wife does. Good product, give it a shot.

Cancel That Carribean Cruise - Samuel Chell on Nov 11, 2011 I Like

These mood therapy lights caught my attention last Christmas when my daughter expressed an interest in one. For her, the Phillips GoLight Blue was the preferable, more practical choice because of its smaller, convenient traveling size. It also offers the eyes a more restful blue-ish glow, which may provide a more relaxing effect than the ultra-bright white rays of the NatureBright SunTouch with its extra large screen (a guaranteed "awakener"). But while the NatureBright, which overall is about the same size as my 15" TV set, may not be the most agreeable traveling companion (I'm having trouble finding enough space for it on my night-stand let alone my crowded desk), it does plop a radiant solar system right into the center of the user's domain, transforming a darkish, inhospitable space into a warm, summery one. Staring at its bright surface from 12" away may at first seem a tad threatening, but in little time the eyes become accustomed to its bold brilliance, and the mind, in turn, seduced into yielding to its vibrancy and promise of a luminous remains of the day.

It's curious that this particular therapy lamp, the #1 seller for better than a year, has come down in price by as much as 25% (the reason I sprung for it) while the Phillips GoLight Blue, which a year ago was only marginally more expensive, is now more than double the price of the NatureBright. At least, the purchaser can be fairly assured that the price for the NatureBright is about as low as it's going to go.

As for the "Plus" in the title, it refers to the "Negative Ionizer" that emits the same microscopic negative ions into the user's space as are found in the air following a thunderstorm. I can guarantee that you wouldn't know whether or not the Ionizer is activated in a blindfold test, but the power of suggestion or, in this case, an "on" light next to the Ionizer switch, should be adequate assurance of receiving the full treatment.

Operation is a no-brainer, with 3 separate button-switches: one for the light, one for the Negative Ionizer, one for the time limit of the session (15, 30, 45, 60-minute options).

The NatureBright may not be quite as good as a sunny South Seas cruise, but it's a lot cheaper, and if you take a Vitamin D tablet along with absorbing the device's rays for 30 minutes every day, it could be healthier and more refreshing for the longer term. I plan to set it on my piano during practice and to wear my transitional lenses, which darken in response to this type of light. (No need to bring sun lotion, however, since the device does not produce any potentially harmful UV rays).

REVIEW: 2 WEEKS LATER - Angabe on Oct 17, 2011 I Like

Ok. I initially ordered this for my husband who suffers from SAD. We all have been using it. For me, the first day i used it, I slept for 6 hrs straight- I usually wake up every two hours. I also use it daily while trolling the web in the morning and sometimes in the afternoon before my night class. Result: Increased sense of well being. I have an anxiety disorder, which it seems to balance me out. I put it in the living room near my kids. They seem to be more balanced and not fight as much. My husband seems less moody. I have even used it at night, and it seems like i seep better most of the time and wake up refreshed, not super groggy, cranky and anxious. I don't get the late morning drop off, sleepy feeling. Give it a shot; if it doesn't work for you, send it back- beats being a crab ass all winter.

Great Mood Brightener - S. DeBorger on Mar 30, 2011 I Like

I suffer from SAD, which starts in the fall and doesn't end until well into spring. I decided to give this lamp a try, and I am so happy that I did. After about 3 days of use - mornings and sometimes mornings and afternoons - I noticed that I was feeling a lot less down-in-the-dumps. It really does work and has helped me a lot. The directions say that if you use transitional glasses, you should remove them while being in front of the lamp. i called the manufacturer and was told that this is because when your glasses turn dark, the effectiveness of the light is diminished. My glasses do not turn as dark as they do when I go out into the sun, but I remove them and replace them with plain reading glasses whenever I can. I normally wear no-line bifocals and cannot use plain reading glasses when I am using the lamp while working at the computer

AMAZING! Even For Treatment-resistant Depression! - Lisa Hughes "cincyce on Dec 11, 2010 I Like

I have had SEVERE depression for years which is year-round, plus I become almost non-functional during the winter months due to the cummulative effect of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). I am a nurse, and always research everything, and have been considering buying one of these for a few years. Boy, do I wish I would have gotten this years ago! With this having two treatments in one, (the light plus the negative ionization therapy), I think that it probably works better than just the light alone. I am still blown away with how powerful it is, and how it literally changes the way my brain thinks! I feel like a truck has hit me every morning when I get up, and sometimes I just cannot muster the energy to pull myself out of bed! Well, on those days (and every day since I got it) I MAKE myself lie down in front of this light for 30 min. At the beginning of the treatment my brain is overwhelmed with everything that I have to do, and my body doesn't want to get up. Well, shockingly, by the time the half hour is over, my brain is thinking about everything I have to do, and coming up with a plan on how to tackle it with its new found energy! Seriously, I just lay there-I don't try to get myself motivated, or talk myself into anything, it just happens!! Of course no treatment works for 100% of the people, but I am on a very high dose of an antidepressant, and have tried numerous other medications with worsening of symptoms, so it is miraculous to me that this works so well! I highly recommend it!

Very Bright Light, But Has To Be Manually Turned On And Off. - Justin Ryan "FreshOa on May 31, 2010 I Like

I bought this lamp with the intention of using it to help change the phase of my sleep cycle. I was planning on putting the light on a timer, however, it has electronic controls and so when first plugged in it is off. So my initial plan was thwarted.

However, it is an excellent light to use for SAD, I now have it in the kitchen, where I spend most of my morning and get exposure from it then.

I don't use the ionizer, I didn't buy it for that, I don't really care, but it turns on and off...

Overall, if I were looking for a light that was relatively cost effective for treatment of SAD, this would be the light I pick. I've had no problems with it whatsoever.

Finally...SAD Relief! - Very pleased on Dec 19, 2009 I Like

I have been suffering from Seasonal Affected Disorder for as long as I can remember, even as a child. I live in Cleveland, Ohio, where depending on the winter, the cloudy days can last from November until March. It also gets dark early in the evening. This December is when my SAD started. Driving to work in the dark...driving home in the dark...and very little sun at the office because my boss insists on the blinds being closed ("Causes too much glare on the computer monitors") Meanwhile, I was sinking further and further into depression. Going to bed at 7:00, craving pecan pie...you know the drill. When this item arrived, I turned it on just to see what it was like, even though I didn't begin a session until the next morning. Sounds crazy, but just looking at the light made me feel better. I am oddly drawn to it, and actually look forward to waking up to use it. No, I am not dressing it up and calling it "Shirley" or anything. (thinking of the movie "Castaway" and Wilson the Soccer ball) As you can see, my sense of humor has returned which is another testament to the affects of this lamp. The ion smell is very faint and doesn't bother me at all. In fact, like another reviewer said, its kind of like the air after a rainstorm. I use it 30 min every morning while drinking my coffee. I can tell you I am waking up more energized, and staying up later at night. I am less sluggish during the day. I also feel happier. Has only been a few days, but I would highly recommend this to anyone who suffers from this affliction.

I Love It! - Jeff Peavy on Oct 7, 2008 I Like

I live in North Dakota where we have about a week of fall before it turns into winter. Our winters start in late October or early November and last until March and sometimes late April. This product has really helped my family through the winter blahs. It's dark when I go to work and dark when I come home (I only work 8 hour days) and this light with the ions has really helped my mood and motivation. The ions give a feeling and smell of the fresh air right after a thunderstorm. I would recommend it to anyone who has a tougher time getting up in the winter and especially for EVERYONE who lives in the far North where we don't get much sun in the winter months.

Sunlight - Timothy M. Streng on Dec 21, 2007 I Like

The lamp works well, it is helping my wife deal with SAD. This is an excellent buy.

Jury Still Out...No Side Effects Is Misleading - Shadow Raven on Mar 17, 2011 I Like

I've been using the lamp for about a week. I use it for delayed phase sleep disorder and major depression. It's a little too early to tell if it is working. It seems to be but it may be because I expect it to be working (placebo effect). The lamp itself seems to be of solid construction. It seems to work for others quite well. It seems like a great price for such a device.

Device aside, I believe that NatureBright is misleading people when it claims that it is side effect free. I've had some nausea, fatigue, and minor eye strain. These side effects are completely normal and expected with light therapy. NatureBright should be honest and disclose that some side effects are normal and generally go away in a few days.

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