Bright light boosts testosterone in men

A recent study has shown that an extra hour of bright light can increase the levels of pituitary hormone that enhances testosterone, the male sex hormone. Researchers found that men who were exposed to an hour of bright light before sunrise experienced an increase in the luteinizing hormone (LH), a hormone produced in the brain's pituitary gland. LH influences reproductive hormones in both men and women. Increase in the LH in men raises the testosterone levels, while it triggers ovulation in women. There are many possible beneficial effects of increased testosterone. It can improve the sexual libido and also has a muscle-building and strengthening effect. Studies have shown that it may help with depression. Light also impacts women's reproductive cycles. An earlier study has shown that when women with long and irregular menstrual cycles are exposed to bright light, their menstrual cycles regularised. Researchers from the University of California, USA, studied 11 healthy young men who were between the ages of 19 and 30 years, dividing them into two groups. In the first part of the study, both groups were woken up at 5:00 am and exposed to either a bright light of approximately 150 watts or a low-wattage red light. During the second part, the groups were switched, so that the men who were exposed to bright light in the first part were then exposed to low light, and vice versa. The men's LH levels were tested before and after exposure to the lights.

The researchers found that the men showed a 69-percent increase in LH levels after exposure to bright light. Researchers noted that sexual problems such as low libido are known to be a part of depression, as well as a side effect of antidepressant medications. It is theoretically possible, that light exposure, which increases LH secretion, would alleviate sexual dysfunction in patients with depression. The researchers suggested that studies like the current one should be repeated in people with depression.

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