Evaluating the Potential of Green Light Exposure on Nociception-A Mini Review

CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2023 May 22. doi: 10.2174/1871527322666230522105931. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

The capacity of animals to react to unpleasant stimuli that might endanger their integrity is known as nociception. Pharmacological treatments do not show satisfactory results in response to nociception. In the recent era, light therapy emerged as a potential non-pharmacological approach for treating various diseases, including seasonal affective disorders, migraine, pain, and others. Evaluating the potential of green light exposure on nociception involves studying its effects on different types of pain and pain-related conditions and determining the optimal exposure methods. This review provides the beneficial effects of green light on the reduction in the frequency of pain. The green light exposure on nociception changes the activity of pain-related genes and proteins in cells. This review could provide insights into the underlying mechanisms by which green light modulates pain. Overall, evaluating the potential of green light exposure on nociception requires a multidisciplinary approach and should consider the safety, efficacy, optimal dose, and duration of green light exposure and the type of pain. However, few studies have been reported so far; therefore, light therapy for treating migraines require more studies on animal models to provide precise results of light effects on nociception.

Keywords: Green light; Light therapy; Migraine; Nociception; Pain; White light.