I Tried Helight's Red-Light Tool for Better Sleep and It Actually Worked

I would kill to be in bed at 9 p.m. and drift off to sleep within minutes. I remember the nights as a kid when I would beg my parents to let me stay up longer. What a fool I was. As an adult, my brain has developed this habit of processing my entire life as soon as my head hits the pillow. Which means, even on the rare occasions when I manage to get in bed early, my racing thoughts can keep me up for hours. If I wake up in the middle of the night, the vicious cycle starts all over again.

Throughout the years, I've tried just about everything to combat my insomnia. I've taken supplements, upgraded to luxury sheets, a blackout eye mask, dabbled in pre-bed rituals like eliminating screens at night, and even lathering on soothing body oils. Some of these things have helped marginally, but nothing clicked permanently. So when a friend recently recommended I try Helight's red-light sleep gadget, I was intrigued. Not entirely convinced that it could actually turn things around for me, but what did I have to lose?

Inspired by NASA research, Helight employs the same kind of red-light therapy that astronauts use in space to help regulate their sleep. After testing the device for a few weeks, it hasn't changed my life... But it's the only thing that's gotten me close to an average time to fall asleep. That's progress I'm willing to endorse, and I've been pleasantly surprised by how much I like it.

Helight Red Light Therapy Sleep Device

Pros

• Compact
• Multiple brightness settings
• Not app- or subscription-based

Cons

• Pricey

Helight's patented red-light technology is designed to emulate the soothing, melatonin-producing effects of a sunset. Melatonin is so much more than just a gummy that puts you to sleep. It's a naturally-occurring a hormone that tells your body it's time to sleep. The blue light your phone and TV emit is well-accepted to inhibit melatonin production in some way. Red light, on the other hand, signals to the body that it's time to wind down.

The Helight sleep device has three brightness settings, which all offer the same effects, but you might want to change based on the size of the room you're in and your preferred intensity. It takes three hours to charge and a single charge can last up to 28 cycles (each cycle is 28 minutes), depending on the intensity you choose.

According to the brand, the device must be used with all other lights turned off in order for the red light to be effective. Once activated, the wavelength can pass through your eyelids, so can keep your eyes open or closed during the experience. The light will start fading out at 14 minutes, mirroring the natural cycle of light at the end of the day to help kick off your circadian rhythms.

I'll admit it took me a solid week to acclimate to using this thing, especially since I'm used to wearing an eye mask at night. (Obviously, you need to skip one for the light to work.) I prefer to run the device on the lowest setting, since I find the higher ones to be too bright. My first night using it, I didn't fall asleep after the first 28 minute cycle. I thought that crimson glow was going to be off-putting, but true to the brand's promise, I found it quite calming. But it didn't put me to sleep.

After noticing similar results for about a week, I decided to take a slightly different approach: I started using my Helight at least a full hour before I hoped to nod off. I also moved the device to the bottom tier of my night stand, since I found the light placed at eye level to be somewhat glaring. (Note: I live in a white box studio apartment, so keeping the light at both a lower intensity and height was most comfortable for me.) While I try not to look at the clock when I'm in bed, as this can heighten my anxiety, I'd estimate some nights I fell asleep within an hour—without even turning my Helight on for a second cycle.

On particularly restless evenings, I liked to start by lying down with my eyes open. By focusing on the blood red light on my ceiling, I'd notice my mind start to simmer down, and my lids became heavier. Sometimes, I not only fell asleep in what I'd estimate was 60 minutes, but I also shockingly remained asleep until my alarm went off the next morning. For me, that's big.

There's definitely an adjustment period when using the Helight, and as with any other sleep aid (besides pills, really), you likely won't see results immediately. It wasn't until week two that I started to notice a difference. And while I wouldn't say it's completely revolutionized my routine (I still fall asleep much slower than the average person), I reach for my Helight when I'm feeling especially stressed and my mind is hyperactive.

I also love that the device is compact and isn't app- or subscription-based. Even if it's on the pricey side at $129, everything in the world requires a subscription now. Good for Helight.

Based on my experience, I'd say it's well worth a shot for anyone who struggles with sleep. If you're not as far gone as I am, I imagine it'll actually be exactly what you need. If you are as far gone as me, Helight also comes with a 60-night money back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free if you're still on the fence. I'm sticking with mine, because it's the only thing that's gotten me close to a consistent circadian rhythm.