How does Allay work?

Hi ,

Allay was created by a Harvard neuroscientist to help people who suffer from light sensitivity and headaches.

Our technology is grounded in peer-reviewed clinical research that demonstrates how narrow-band green light is uniquely soothing to the eyes and brain, even when you’re most sensitive to light.
 
These are some of the highlights from the published science:

Light Affects Migraines: A 2010 study identified a previously unknown pathway by which light intake increases migraine intensity, effectively pinpointing a key mechanism responsible for turning light into a worsening headache. [1]

Narrow-Band Green Light is Unique: White, blue, amber, and red lights all generate large electrical signals in the brain. A narrow band of green light, however, creates the smallest electrical signal, which seems to calm the cortex, and thus reduce intensity and duration of an attack. [2]

More Than Just Headache: Light had similar effects on the many physiological and emotional symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, nausea, irritability, and anxiety. [3]

In short, Dr. Burstein’s research shows that the smaller activation of the brain by this band of green light explains why it is soothing to someone with migraine: it’s like being on a calm lake rather than a rocky ocean with large waves. Pretty great, right?

We’ll catch you next time with a breakdown on how Allay’s patented narrow band of green light is different - even from other green bulbs.

Best,
Winnie
Head of Customer Care

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Sources and Clinical Data:
[1]​ Noseda R, Kainz V, Jakubowski M, Gooley JJ, Saper CB, Digre K, Burstein R. A neural mechanism for exacerbation of headache by light. Nat Neurosci. 2010 Feb;13(2):239-45. doi: 10.1038/nn.2475. Epub 2010 Jan 10. PMID: 20062053; PMCID: PMC2818758.
[2] Noseda R, Bernstein CA, Nir RR, Lee AJ, Fulton AB, Bertisch SM, Hovaguimian A, Cestari DM, Saavedra-Walker R, Borsook D, Doran BL, Buettner C, Burstein R. Migraine photophobia originating in cone-driven retinal pathways. Brain. 2016 Jul;139(Pt 7):1971-86. doi: 10.1093/brain/aww119. Epub 2016 May 17. PMID: 27190022; PMCID: PMC4939697.
[3] Noseda R, Lee AJ, Nir RR, Bernstein CA, Kainz VM, Bertisch SM, Buettner C, Borsook D, Burstein R. Neural mechanism for hypothalamic-mediated autonomic responses to light during migraine. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2017 Jul 11;114(28):E5683-E5692. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1708361114. Epub 2017 Jun 26. PMID: 28652355; PMCID: PMC5514773.