In Canada, approximately 2% of people will experience bipolar disorder in their lifetime. People living with bipolar disorder may spend up to half their time with active symptoms, with symptoms of depression being the most common. These patients are at higher risk of dying by suicide and other physical health conditions. The treatment of bipolar disorder is complex and can include any combination of drug therapy, brain stimulation, psychotherapy, and treatments targeting circadian rhythm (the 24-hour internal clock in our brain that control cycles of alertness and sleepiness by responding to light changes in our environment). While treatment guidelines for bipolar disorder do exist, it can be difficult to keep them up to date with the large amount of research that is published every year.

Mania is a serious condition with symptoms including of mania include decreased sleep, increased energy, and changes in mood, thinking, and behaviour. Dark therapy, which involves placing patients in a dark room for 14 hours overnight, can effectively treat mania, but is not practical. Dark therapy is also unpleasant. However, similar effects on the brain can be created from blocking only blue light with glasses.