**Background** I finally got my [**HumanCharger**](https://humancharger.com/) device on Monday and have started my month-long “experiment.” – I’m putting experiment in quotes because it’s going to be hard to isolate the effect of the device from all other environmental variables.  _However_, I have had noticeably positive and sustained effects of bright-light therapy last year around the same time. Back then I used a big, bright light-box and, after about 10 days, my mood, sleep and ability to get out of bed significantly improved and stayed this way throughout a 2-month period from December to January. So, at least I believe to have a baseline to compare the HumanCharger against.  The light-box I used in the past administered 10,000 lux via the eyes for 15 minutes. According to the documentation, the HumanCharger also emits 10,000 lux at a 1cm range via the ear canal. I’ll assume that they’re relatively equal in their “dosage." **Experiment Design** - **Hypothesis:** I believe that… If I use the HumanCharger every day, then I will get out of bed easier and feel more alert - **Method:** Use HumanCharger within the first hour after waking up for 12 minutes each day for 1 month - **Prediction:** After 7-10 days, I will notice a change in my ability to wake up and level of alertness **Progress Week 1** - Monday, Experiment Start - Day 1 - 12 minutes in the morning.  - Tuesday - Day 2, no noticeable effect on my ability to wake up and get out of bed. Tired and sleepy. Hard to get out of bed. - 12 minutes within 1h of getting up - Wednesday - Day 3, no noticeable effect on my ability to wake up and get out of bed. Tired and sleepy. Hard to get out of bed. - 12 minutes within 1h of getting up - Thursday - Day 4, felt significantly worse to get out of bed. Felt depressed most of the day. I don’t think it has to do with the device, I’ve found that Thursdays tend to be my lowest days of the week.  - 12 minutes within 1h of getting up - Friday - Day 5, slightly better to get out of bed. Felt unusually up-beat throughout the day and evening. Higher levels of attention and drive. - 12 minutes within 1h of getting up - Saturday - Day 6, again, slightly easier to get out of bed. I do sense a small difference compared to Monday and Tuesday. So far, feeling unusually up-beat. Went for a run first thing in the morning.  - 12 minutes within 1h of getting up **Questions, Thoughts and Learnings** - There is a high chance I’m currently biased and excited about the device and “want it to work”. Likely because of the monetary investment and novelty. This was similar to last year’s experiment with the light-box where enthusiasm is a factor. I’ll have to wait until the novelty wears off to give better judgement. - I _am surprised_ about how I got out of bed today and yesterday. - Is there any health risk to “warming” and “lighting” up the flora of my ear canal? Could it increase (or decrease?) bacterial growth because of the warmth?