Colour Psychology: Effect of colours on your mood and health

Color Psychology: Effect of colors on your mood and health 

New Delhi: In 1966, Newton discovered that when white light went through a prism, it separated into all visible colours. He also discovered that all these colours have a specific wavelength and cannot be separated into any further colours. That's how colours came into being but the concept of colour psychology was yet to be formulated.

Have you ever wondered why the colour black is not the preferred colour for painting your room in, or why you should not wear certain colours for an interview or a formal event? There exists a phenomenon called “Colour Psychology” that explains the reasons for the above questions and claims that colours have an effect on our mood and health, and they are more important than we think of.  Also read Did you know? Internet therapy apps may reduce depression

Colour and their associations with mood

Different colours are associated with different types of behaviours or moods. While red is associated with energy, passion, love, aggression, and danger, the colour orange can bring about feelings of comfort, warmth, creativity, excitement and playfulness. Other associations are that of yellow with positivity, green with envy, blue with calmness, purple with royalty or spirituality, brown with earth or strength, and black with negativity like death, and unhappiness.

Effect of colour on drugs

According to a study published by National Centre of Biotechnology Information, USA, colours of a drug affect the perceived action of the drug and seem to influence its effectiveness. You will be surprised to know that there exists a relation between the colour of the drug and the central nervous system and the indications for which they are used. It was found that warm coloured placebo pills were reported to be more effective than cool-coloured placebo pills.

Colour Psychology and Therapy

Not only does colour have an effect on our mood, but is also believed to cure certain problems and diseases. Chromotherapy is a method of treatment that uses the visible spectrum (colours) of electromagnetic radiations to cure diseases, according to another study published by National Centre of Biotechnology Information, USA. Also read Researchers, including one of Indian origin, say caffeine therapy may help premature babies' brains

Chromotherapy is not a new concept and has been used for centuries. It is also referred to light therapy or colorology and is believed to cure illnesses through colours like:

Red colour is used to stimulate the mind, increase circulation or excite the patient.

Yellow is believed to stimulate the nerves and purify the body.

Orange is used to heal the lungs and stimulate energy levels of the body.

Blue relieves pain while Indigo alleviates skin problems.