Anyone Using Lights for SAD, Rhythms, Testo, etc?

Hey Guys,

I don't think I have SAD, but I live in Hokkaido, Japan't northernmost island, an Area where during the summer the sun comes up at between 3:30 and 4:00 a.m. The sun wakes me during those times and even though in winter the sun comes up around 6:00, I figure it's best to be consistent , so I use the light at around 4:00 a.m. to keep me getting up at the same time year 'round.

The light I use resembles the M2 :

http://www.lighttherapy.com/light_therapy_products.html

It seems to work. I wake up between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m. without and alarm clock even when it's dark outside.

I'm reading that bright light boosts testosterone (via Luteinizing hormone secretion first). I have read this in the book Natural Hormal Enhancement and there are a few articles on the web that also claim this. 

Does anyone have experience with light for SAD, adjustment to time zones, vitamin D or anything else? Are there any precautions for using these lights?

Side note:

Asian countries don't belive in, or perhaps just don't like time zones - China as huge as it is, has only one! My suspicion is, that multiple time zones make central control too difficult.

Best Wishes,

Dave

 Sunlight does boost your body's ability to produce feel-good hormones like serotonin and the like. People who typically get SAD are those who don't get enough sunlight and/or have to work inside for most of the week and then just want to crash when they get home so they aren't really getting ANY natural light at all because they typically leave for work when it's still dark, or just coming daylight and then leave work at dusk. It happens during this time of year in particular because our days see shorter times with sunlight especially over here because we have the timezone thing and the daylight savings time thing. 

 Lance,

That makes a lot of sense and matches a lot of what I see people doing: Completely missing direct sunlight. Sunlight through tinted glass (e.g., office building glass, bus/ train/ car window glass) supposedly doesn't work, nor does glass through a window, unless it's really bright.

For a good dose of testo, you supposedly need around one hour, which is what I generally do. Not sure if the lights provide vitamin D?

I've read that bipolar folks need to follow their docs advice because the lights can even set off manic episodes. Powerful tools.

Best Wishes,

Dave

 Sunlight stimulates vitamin D production in your skin. It's been studied and noted that almost all Americans have a shortage of vitamin D nowadays because of a lack of enthusiasm to go outside.

That'd be okay if they were getting some good whoopie instead. But I have a feeling they're not. -Those limpies!

We have it worse here in Japan. The boys spend almost as much time in the mirrors as the girls, fixing their hair. Mid 30's impotence is also increasing.

The Rx? Lots of whoopie. For an hour in the Rising Sun ( - That's where I am, but wherever you may be! lol)

 LOL that's hilarious.