About Apollo Health Inc.
Founded in 1987, Apollo Health, Inc. is the world’s leading researcher and manufacturer of products for treating circadian rhythm disorders that result in insomnia, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Depression and other mood & sleep disorders. Apollo has participated with the National Institute of Health and most leading US universities in researching and finding solutions to these problems. Because these disorders happen naturally, Apollo believes the quickest and most effective solutions are natural and drug-free.
Apollo’s light therapy and dawn simulation products are the de facto standard light medical devices for the treatment of mood and sleep disorders. No other manufacturer invests as much research, testing or technology into their products as Apollo.
All Apollo's products are proven effective, natural and drug-free.
Exclusive Light Therapy Technology
Since 1987, Apollo has worked with the National Institute of Health and several universities to determine the most effective light for treating Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Circadian Rhythm and related mood disorders. The culmination of this research combines specific wavelengths, intensity and timing to produce a much quicker and stronger response than standard 10,000 lux, full-spectrum light.
Few doubt the advantages of newer lighting technology over standard fluorescent lighting developed decades ago. Apollo has engineered the world’s first full-spectrum, 10,000-lux lightbox that produces 100% of the right kind of light. Most traditional light boxes don’t produce enough of this action spectrum to be really effective. Apollo's BRITEWAVE® Technology is engineered to bring the benefits of this new research to the 10,000-lux world. It has 50% more of this effective bandwidth (460-485 nm) than our previous best-selling light at the same treatment distance.
Patent-pending BLUEWAVE® is the result of ten years of research with medical universities and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Other companies may tout the benefits of this new research. Only Apollo has participated in this research and we are the only company to produce lights that are twice as effective at shifting circadian rhythms and suppressing melatonin when compared to 10,000 lux and white LEDs.
Company History
Apollo's history is inseperably intertwined with the development of light therapy research. Since 1987, Apollo has worked closely with most light therapy researchers. As a founding, corporate member of a number of circadian rhythm medical societies, Apollo has participated in nearly 100 medical conferences and has participated in several dozen studies on the effects of light therapy. Apollo has received more research grants, participated in more light therapy studies, and has worked with more researchers than all other companies combined. Apollo has also been instrumental in most light therapy applications and advancements, and Apollo technology is superior to standard, full-spectrum light boxes. The table below lists some of the significant advances in light therapy and Apollo's involvement.
1978 Apollo founder, Henry Savage markets proprietary phototherapy technology for treating skin disorders.
1982 The National Institute of Health (NIH) discovers winter depression and coins the term, ‘SAD’ for Seasonal Affective Disorder.
1984 The NIH determines that SAD is effectively treated with bright therapeutic light. 2,500-lux level of intensity is recommended for 2-3 hour treatment sessions each day.
1986 Apollo applies proprietary technology to SAD light boxes and teams up with NIH multi-site trials to determine efficacy of bright light for treating Seasonal Affective Disorder. Apollo introduces the briteLITE, which produces greater lux distance at half the weight of any other light therapy device.
1987 Seasonal Affective Disorder is determined to be a circadian rhythm disorder. Drs. Lewy and Sack publish “Circadian Phase-Shift Hypothesis,” explaining why people become depressed in the winter. Apollo adopts “Phase-Shift Hypothesis,” & notices a corresponding increase in response rates.
1989 Researchers recommend bright light as the ‘Treatment of choice’ for Seasonal Affective Disorder.
1989 Apollo conducts joint study with Dr. Roger Cole at UCSD and SCRIPPS Clinic: Treating Jet Lag with Bright Light. Light is shown to be the most effective regulator of the body clock (SCN). Light is the quickest method of adapting for jet lag.
1990 Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York publishes results showing increased response to 10,000 lux vs. 2,500 lux. Treatment times are reduced from 2 hours to 30 minutes. Up to 50% more patients respond to new treatment protocol. 10,000-lux established as standard for light therapy.
1990 Apollo introduces the briteLITE II, the first lightbox with advanced electronic ballasts. The briteLITE II is also the first lightbox to produce 10,000 lux over 12 ” (briteLITE II 10,000 lux distance = 16 ”).
1991 Dose Response Relationship is explored, setting off a decade-long study to determine which bandwidth of light is causing neurochemical reaction.
1992 Researchers report that light travels via the Retino-hypothalamic Tract, a neural pathway connecting the retina of the eye to the Suprachaismatic Nucleus (SCN) or body clock, located in the hypothalamus of the brain. Researchers believe that light triggers the SCN into suppressing the withdrawal hormone, melatonin in the pineal gland, while producing serotonin and other active hormones.
1993-1995 Researchers determine that the SCN is responsible for a myriad of body and hormonal rhythms. Among other things, the SCN controls heart rate and blood pressure, appetite, sleep, mood, menstrual cycles and energy levels.
1993 Apollo introduces the briteLITE III, the first lightbox to produce 10,000 lux at 20 ”, and later at 24 ”. The briteLITE III also is first with computer designed parabolic reflection, which eliminated weak spots commonly found with standard lightboxes. The resulting full treatment field of 10,000 lux significantly improves response rates as well as reducing number of days needed for a response.
1994 Dr. Charmane Eastman and colleagues at Rush Presbyterian in Chicago begins extensive study of shift work and light therapy. Light is found to effectively manage shift work problems. Dr. Eastman consults with NASA to regulate astronaut’s and crewmember’s sleep/wake cycles. Apollo’s products are used in Dr. Eastman’s shift studies as well as at NASA.
1995 “Consensus Report on Sleep” published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) The consensus report lists several circadian related sleep disorders, accounting for over 25% of all sleep problems. Circadian rhythm sleep disorders are most effectively treated with light therapy. Apollo’s briteLITE II and III are instrumental in AASM’s findings.
1996 Dr. Alexander Neumeister at the University of Vienna discovers that depression is circadian related, since depression sufferers feel worse in the morning as well as in the winter. Dr. Neumeister combines new treatment; sleep deprivation with light therapy for immediate relief from depression. Sleep deprivation’s response rates exceed those for medication. Sleep deprivation and medication found to be most effective treatment for depression.
1996 Dr. Barbara Parry, UCSD publishes several studies showing light to be effective at regulating irregular menstrual cycles, treating PMS and PMDD as well as prenatal and postpartum depression. Light is also used in studying perimenopausal depression and menopausal sleep disorders. Apollo briteLITE products were used in these studies.
1998 Dr. Daniel Kripke at UCSD demonstrates that light therapy is as effective as medication in treating non-seasonal, major depression. Light acts within 1 week as opposed to several weeks for SSRI’s. Light and medication create synergistic effect. Apollo products are used in many depression & light studies.
1998 Apollo develops the briteLITE IV, the only light box to produce an effective treatment field at greater than 28 ” while only weighing 7.5 lbs., allowing for more freedom and ease of use. Apollo also incorporates latest research suggesting that a specific bandwidth of light is responsible for melatonin suppression and circadian shifting. The briteLITE IV produces 2.5 times more BLUEWAVE® light than its predecessor, the briteLITE III. Response time and response rates improve significantly.
2001 Dr. George Brainard’s team at Thomas Jefferson Medical University publishes results showing that specific bandwidth is responsible for causing neurochemical reaction (shifting circadian rhythm & suppressing melatonin). Effective bandwidth is found to be 5 times more effective than all other light combined.
2001 Apollo joins TJMU in developing application method for producing specific wavelength. BLUEWAVE® technology is developed and NIH studies undertaken to determine the antidepressant effect of BLUEWAVE® light.
2002 The journal, The Lancet, shows that bright light significantly increased serotonin levels, while dark or cloudy days caused serotonin to plummet. Serotonin is thought to be a major factor in depression.
2003 Researchers at UCSD confirm Dr. Neumeister’s discovery (1996), using sleep deprivation and bright light to treat depression. Sleep deprivation (staying awake all night) is modified to ‘wake therapy,’ as patients are allowed to sleep until 2:00 am. Response rates and immediacy of response are the same as earlier studies. Wake therapy is reported in the journals of Science, Depression &Anxiety and other journals as one of the most promising treatments to be discovered for depression. Apollo’s briteLITE products were used in UCSD’s study.
2003-2004 Apollo & TJMU’s joint study using BLUEWAVE® LED technology demonstrate that this specific bandwidth of light is also responsible for antidepressant effect. For the first time in any light therapy study, no side effects were reported, and the drop-out rate is far lower than normal.
2002-2004 Apollo patents BLUEWAVE® technology and markets the goLITE®, the first effective, hand held LED device. Apollo also publishes the Circadian Rhythm Assessment Test, which accurately determines the severity and type of circadian rhythm disorders that cause SAD, sleep and depressive mood disorders. The test also creates a personalized treatment schedule to ensure optimal treatment and response time, while avoiding negative or non responses.
2004 Apollo’s BLUEWAVE® LED technology is demonstrated at NASA through a joint effort with TJMU and Harvard Medical University. BLUEWAVE® LED is also demonstrated at the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms (SRBR, the leading medical research body in biological rhythms). Researchers reach consensus on superiority of BLUEWAVE® LED technology and plan future research studies.
Research Partners
A partial list of research partners includes:
• National Institute of Health
• United States Department of Health and Human Services
• Universities • Stanford University
• Boston University
• Cornell University
• Harvard University
• Yale University
• University of California, San Diego
• Thomas Jefferson Medical University
• Rush Presbyterian Medical University
• University of Wisconsin
• University of Utah
Other Researchers/Partners:
• NASA
• Mayo Clinic
• Hilton Hotels
• Most major sleep labs
• Most Seasonal Affective Disorder Clinics
• Medical Journals Apollo’s research has been published in peer-reviewed medical journals, including:
• Science • Archives of General Psychiatry
• Sleep Journals
• Chronobiology International
• Journal of Biological Rhythms
• Journal of Affective Disorders
• Journal of Depression and Anxiety • Sleep
• Other medical journals and clinician magazines
Apollo’s products have also been featured on major broadcast programs, including CNN, the Discovery Channel, 20/20, Good Morning America, and NOVA.
Research Grants
Apollo continues to lead the future in developing health solutions for those who suffer from depressive mood and sleep disorders. Apollo is committed to working with its customers and research partners seeking answers that can benefit sufferers. Below are a small fraction of the research grants & contracts that Apollo has participated in.
Blue LED Light Panel for Treatment of Winter Depression
SBIR Grant - #1R43MH066453, 9/2002 – 3/2004
Dr. Brainard of Jefferson Medical University, Phil. PA
Narrow wavelength of blue effects Circadian Rhythms and Winter Depression.
Enhancing the Effectiveness of Light Therapy for Insomnia
STTR Contract - #3N43NS002393, 8/2000 – 8/2002
Dr. Scott Campbell of Cornell Medical University
Bright ambient light treats insomnia.
Luminaire for Sleep and Mood Disorders of Aging
STTR Grant - #5R42AG15246-03, 7/2000 – 5/2002
Dr. Daniel Kripke, UCSD, La Jolla
Improved ambient lighting improves the sleep and health of the aging population.
Extraocular Light Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder
STTR Grant - #1R41MH61043-01, 3/2000 – 3/2001
Dr. Dan Orin of Yale Medical University
Portable LED light worn behind the knee treats Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Clock Resetting with Extraocular Light: Dose Response
SBIR Grant - #1R41NS038433-01, 6/1999 – 12/2000
Dr. Scott Campbell of Cornell Medical University
Portable LED light worn behind the knee shifts Circadian Rhythms.
Alleviation of Jet Lag with Timed Light/Dark Exposure
SBIR Contract - #1N43NS092311, 9/1998 – 9/1999
Dr. Scott Campbell of Cornell Medical University
Portable light treats Jet Lag.
Enhancing the Effectiveness of Light Therapy for Insomnia
STTR Contract - #1N44NS002393, 7/1998 – 7/1999
Dr. Scott Campbell of Cornell Medical University
Bright ambient light treats insomnia.
Luminaire for Sleep and Mood Disorders of Aging
STTR Grant - #1R41AG15246, 7/1998 – 7/1999
Dr. Daniel Kripke, UCSD, La Jolla
Improved ambient lighting improves the sleep and health of the aging population.
Reproductive Medicine Phototherapy
SBIR Grant - #1R43HD28275-01A2, 9/2993 – 3/1994
Dr. Daniel Kripke, UCSD, La Jolla
Evening light regulates irregular menstrual cycles.