Blue light is a part of the visible light spectrum, naturally present in sunlight, and is essential for regulating our circadian rhythm, as you now know. However, artificial sources of blue light—such as LED screens, fluorescent lights, and modern lighting—can disrupt our sleep, hormones, and overall health when used inappropriately, particularly at night.
Blue light is a part of the visible light spectrum and is most prominent during daylight hours, particularly during the morning hours after sunrise. It starts to diminish naturally as the sun begins to set and the sky transitions to twilight.
Blue light is a component of the visible light spectrum with relatively short wavelengths (~450-495nm) and higher energy. Sunlight is a broad spectrum source, meaning it includes a wide range of wavelengths, with blue light being just one part of the spectrum. In contrast, blue light from typical LEDs is more narrowly focused around 450-470nm, often with a peak at about 450-455nm, resulting in higher intensity and potential circadian disruption when exposed at inappropriate times.
As blue light is not seen in nature at the times we are exposing ourselves to it through our phones, laptops, tablets, lights, TVs, and streetlights, our SCN is flooded with light information that is out of sync with nature. Staring at a bright screen at night is like telling your SCN it’s morning! Is it any wonder people struggle with sleeping when we are telling our body it is time to wake up, at night?
Blue light in nature is not harmful and provides many biological benefits such as regulating your circadian rhythm, providing a sense of wellbeing, contributing to visual acuity, and more. So why is it bad to be exposed to artificial light at night (ALAN)?
As blue light is not seen in nature at the times we are exposing ourselves to it through our phones, laptops, tablets, lights, TVs, and streetlights, our SCN is flooded with light information that is out of sync with nature. Staring at a bright screen at night is like telling your SCN it’s morning!
Is it any wonder people struggle with sleeping when we are telling our body it is time to wake up, at night? As well as sleep, there are other reasons for concern
