Do Strobe Lights Cause Seizures?

Do Strobe Lights Cause Seizures?

Photosensitive seizures are triggered by flashing or flickering lights. These seizures can also be triggered by certain patterns such as stripes. Photosensitive seizures can fall under several categories, including tonic-clonic, absence, myoclonic and focal seizures

focal seizures
A partial (focal) seizure happens when unusual electrical activity affects a small area of the brain. When the seizure does not affect awareness, it is known as a simple partial seizure. Simple partial seizures can be: Motor - affecting the muscles of the body. Sensory - affecting the senses.
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Why do strobe lights give you seizures?

Certain patterns of light — flashing bright lights at particular frequencies — synchronize cells within the visual cortex. If the neurons then fire through their networks at too high a level, they can recruit other neurons into a hyper-synchronous discharge. That's what happens in the brain during a seizure.

What kind of flashing lights cause seizures?

The frequency or speed of flashing light that is most likely to cause seizures varies from person to person. Generally, flashing lights most likely to trigger seizures are between the frequency of 5 to 30 flashes per second (Hertz).

James H. Sterling
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James H. Sterling

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.