According to Re-Time Pty Ltd., as much as 50% of the world’s population has trouble sleeping and getting enough rest. Sleeplessness can be caused by jet lag, work shift changes, seasonal affect disorder (SAD), and varieties of insomnia. Regardless of the cause, sleep difficulties range from an occasional bother for some of us, a seasonal problem for others, and for far too many year-in/year-out discomfort and difficulty.
The Australian company’s Re-Timer, sold in 40 different countries, is a potential solution for many who suffer through sleepless nights. Backed by eleven patents and five clinical trials, the inventors of Re-Timer have been working on using light to improve sleep since 1987. Re-Timer is a set of one-size fits all eyeglass frames with green-blue light sources for each eye. Four 0.1 watt LEDs, two per eye, project UV-free light through a diffuser. The device is designed to deliver light with specific timing to re-train or reprogram your body clock. According to Re-Time, the green-blue light resets circadian rhythms by suppressing melatonin, the natural hormone our bodies produce that causes us to feel sleepy. Melatonin release is triggered by dark conditions, and according to Re-Timer, visible blue-green light halts melatonin before it starts to work. The company provides online sleep and jet lag calculators that guide you when and how long to use Re-Timer; typical daily use is no more than 60 minutes. The Re-Timer works for up to four hours powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and comes with a USB charging cord, a USB 5 volt wall socket, and a travel case.
If you have chronic difficulty sleeping but want to avoid the use medication or over the counter melatonin, Re-Timer could offer a solution. Jet lag and job shift changes can disrupt sleep for days or even weeks, so Re-Timer can help you readjust to tie zones or schedule changes more quickly. According to the company, Re-Timer isn’t recommended for people under 13 years old or for people with photosensivity issues, unless cleared by their medical professionals.
