Warning

Flashing lights can trigger seizures

Please be advised

Our site features videos with flashing and strobing content. Light therapy devices are strobe lights. Both videos and lights could trigger seizures in individuals with photosensitive epilepsy.

Photosensitive Epileptic Seizures

Photosensitive epilepsy is a condition where seizures are triggered by visual stimuli that form patterns in time or space, such as flashing or strobing lights. This type of epilepsy affects around 3% of people with epilepsy, amounting to about 65 million people worldwide. Those particularly susceptible include children and teenagers, especially as their brain is still developing, and individuals with a family history of epilepsy.

Triggers

Flashing or strobing lights are the most common triggers. Other visual stimuli include:

Rapidly alternating light and dark patterns.
Certain video games or TV shows with rapid scene changes.
Striped or checkerboard patterns.
Flickering screens, such as older CRT monitors or faulty LED lights.

Precautions

Screen Time Management: Limit exposure to screens that have flashing or rapidly changing images. This includes watching TV, playing video games, and using computers or mobile devices.
Environment Control: Avoid environments with strobe lights, such as nightclubs or concerts. Use apps or browser extensions that reduce flicker on screens.
Proper Lighting: Ensure good lighting in rooms to reduce contrast from screens. Use screens with a high refresh rate and adjust the brightness and contrast settings.
Health Monitoring: If you have a known photosensitivity, wear polarized sunglasses and consider blue-light filtering glasses to reduce glare and visual strain.
Emergency Plan: Have a plan in place in case of a seizure, including informing friends, family, or colleagues about your condition and how they can help.

Conclusion

Understanding and managing photosensitive epilepsy is crucial for those affected by it. With appropriate precautions, individuals can minimize the risk of seizures triggered by flashing or strobing lights. Staying informed and creating a supportive environment are key steps toward living well with this condition.

Legal Disclaimers

Strobe Lights

We use a stroboscopic light device that includes intense visual stimulation for the user when facing the device with eyes closed.

Some people (i.e., epileptics) are likely to experience seizures, involving loss of consciousness when exposed to certain strong light stimulations. These people may have no past medical history of known epileptic susceptibility nor have experienced previous epileptic seizures. If you of a member of your family have already exhibited symptoms related to epilepsy (with or without convulsions) in the presence of light stimulation, please consult your doctor before participating in a light therapy session.

People in proximity of a stroboscopic light are subject to the same risks as participants and the stroboscopic effects can be perceived through any reflective surface in the room and thus exacerbate the phenomenon for other people present.

Stop your session immediately and seek medical attention if you or someone nearby has any of the following symptoms:

dizziness
blurred vision
involuntary muscle contraction
orientation disorder (not knowing which way is up)
involuntary movement or convulsions
momentary loss of consciousness

The use of strobe lights is not recommended for epileptics, anyone with mental, neurological or ocular pathologies, children, and pregnant women.

If you have any doubts, we encourage you to seek medical advice before participating.

Safety Questionnaire

Have you ever personally suffered from epilepsy or seizures?
Do you have any family history of epilepsy or seizures?
Are you taking any prescribed medication, including those for anxiety or depression?
Do you have any psychological or psychiatric conditions?
Have you ever had any head or brain injuries, or had brain surgery?
Have you ever had a stroke?
Are you taking any photosensitive medication?
Are you pregnant?
Have you had laser treatment to your eyes or face within the last month?
Have you taken any recreational or psychoactive drugs in the last 24 hours?
Have you consumed any alcohol in the last 24 hours?

Not Medical Advice

The information, resources, and recommendations on this site are not meant to take the place of a diagnosis, physician, or psychiatrist. They are for educational purposes only. All use of the information presented is at your own discretion. Neither Inner Sea Journeys, Hanna Kutcher, or any of her associates will be held liable for any injury, damage, or loss (financial or otherwise) as a result of the information contained on this site or linked videos.

Waiver and Release of Liability

In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in the services and products provided by Inner Sea Journeys, including but not limited to stroboscopic light therapy, the participant acknowledges, appreciates, and agrees that:

Assumption of Risk: I understand that the use of the products provided by Inner Sea Journeys involves certain risks, including but not limited to, potential seizures, injury from improper use, or damage to personal property. I hereby assume all the risks of participating in any activities or using any products provided by Inner Sea Journeys.
Release of Liability: I, on behalf of myself, my heirs, assigns, personal representatives, and next of kin, hereby release, indemnify, and hold harmless Inner Sea Journeys, its officers, officials, agents, and employees, other participants, sponsors, and advertisers, from any and all claims, demands, losses, and liability arising out of or related to any injury, disability, death, or loss or damage to person or property, whether arising from the negligence of the releases or otherwise, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Indemnification: I agree to indemnify and hold Inner Sea Journeys harmless from any and all claims, actions, suits, procedures, costs, expenses, damages, and liabilities, including attorney’s fees, brought as a result of my involvement with Inner Sea Journeys and to reimburse them for any such expenses incurred.
Medical Treatment: I hereby consent to receive medical treatment that may be deemed advisable in the event of injury, accident, and/or illness during my participation or use of Inner Sea Journeys' products and services.
Severability: I further expressly agree that the foregoing waiver and assumption of risks agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the law of the State of Michigan and the State of Ohio and that if any portion thereof is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect.
Acknowledgment of Understanding: I have read this waiver of liability and fully understand its terms, and I understand that I am giving up substantial rights, including my right to sue. I acknowledge that I am agreeing freely and voluntarily, and intend by my agreement to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law.