Harnessing the Power of Light: Illuminating the Path to Optimal Health
“Let there be light” Genesis 1:3-25
Harnessing the Power of Light: Illuminating the Path to Optimal Health
“Let there be light” Genesis 1:3-25
In Isaac Asimov’s classic short story “The Last Question”, he explores reversing the direction of entropy in the universe, among other themes. The final line “LET THERE BE LIGHT” echoes God’s word during the process of creation and begins the reversing out of entropy operation.
It is fitting that this process of creation begins with light, and it is here where we will start to discuss a foundational pillar of human health.
Light is a fundamental aspect of the creation of the universe and is seen as a critical component of life. The sun, as the center of the solar system, plays a crucial role in a myriad of physiological processes in humans.
It all starts with the sun and the rhythms it elicits in living creatures through circadian biology.
What is Circadian Biology?
Circadian biology is the study of biological rhythms that repeat on a roughly 24-hour cycle, such as the sleep-wake cycle, the daily fluctuations of hormones, and other physiological processes. The term "circadian" comes from the Latin words "circa" (meaning "around") and "diem" (meaning "day"), and refers to the fact that these rhythms are roughly synchronized with the 24-hour day-night cycle of the earth.
Circadian rhythms are controlled by a "master clock" in the brain known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which receives input from light receptors in the eye and helps to regulate various bodily processes, including sleep, digestion, and immune function. Disruptions to the circadian system, such as those caused by shift work, jet lag, or exposure to artificial light at night, have been linked to a range of health problems, including sleep disorders, metabolic disorders, and mood disorders.
Understanding circadian biology is important for maintaining optimal health, as it can help us to better understand the role of timing and rhythm in our bodily processes, and inform strategies for optimizing our sleep-wake cycle and other aspects of our daily routine.
Why is it Important to Know?
Circadian biology is important because it plays a crucial role in regulating many physiological and behavioral processes in the body, including:
Sleep-wake cycle: The circadian clock helps to regulate our sleep-wake cycle, which is essential for maintaining good health. Disruptions to this cycle, such as those caused by jet lag or shift work, can lead to sleep disorders and other health problems.
Hormone production: Many hormones, such as cortisol, melatonin, and insulin, are regulated by the circadian clock. Disruptions to these rhythms can lead to metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes.
Immune function: The circadian clock also helps to regulate the function of the immune system. Disruptions to this system can increase the risk of infections, autoimmune disorders, and cancer.
Mood and cognitive function: There is evidence that disruptions to the circadian clock can affect mood and cognitive function, leading to conditions such as depression and anxiety.
By understanding the role of circadian biology in our health and well-being, we can take steps to optimize our daily routines and minimize disruptions to our biological rhythms. These steps include strategies such as exposure to natural light during the day, limiting exposure to artificial light at night, and maintaining a regular sleep schedule. Overall, understanding circadian biology can help us to live healthier, more balanced lives.
We know how hard it can be to deal with sleep deprivation and jet lag, we’ve been on the other end of an all-nighter. It’s clear how quickly our body can break down in these scenarios. Keeping a regular circadian rhythm in line with Mother Earth, however, is how we evolved and how we can best thrive, even in this modern landscape of artificial lighting, indoor working environments, and 24/7 attachment to screens and social media.
Managing Light Exposure
Understanding the various health benefits from regular exposure to natural light will have you looking forward to getting outside and enjoying the day, whether it’s warm and sunny or cold and cloudy. The frequencies of light throughout the day all play a part in optimizing our overall health.
The wavelengths specifically present during sunrise and sunset not only reduce stress and boost your mood, but they are monumental for your physical health.
Why? For many reasons. The red light that is most present at these times regulates the circadian rhythms of both the body and individual cells, promotes Vitamin D production, reduces inflammation, supports skin health, supports hormone production, regulates mood and alertness, and improves general mitochondrial function (aka charging the batteries of the cells).
I understand it’s not feasible to wake up and find a suitable place to watch the sunrise every morning. If this is not an option, ensuring you at least get outside for some early morning light before 10am will still net you a host of positive effects. These include sleep regulation, mood improvement, and enhancing cognitive function, in addition to the benefits listed earlier from red light exposure.
Dr. Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist and professor at Stanford University, has been leading the charge in delivering this message to the public through his popular podcast, the Huberman Lab. He recommends a minimum of 10-15 minutes of direct sunlight exposure in the morning, but 20-30 minutes if it’s a cloudy day. He also has a preference that people can get outside within the first hour of waking.
Red light therapy devices have also been shown to have incredible health benefits. Also called low-level light therapy, these devices mimic the light emitted from the sun and have been widely studied for not only circadian rhythm regulation but for improving skin, pain relief, injury recovery, brain health, wound healing, hair growth, and more. They can be incredibly helpful for people who are unable to get outside in the morning.
After 10am is when the sun starts to emit more UV light, and when so many people in the world hide indoors, clothe themselves head to toe to avoid the “dangerous” emanation from the center of our solar system, lather up with toxic sunscreens, and “protect their eyes” with sunglasses.
When eyes receive light from the sun, the pineal gland's production of melatonin is inhibited, and the hormones produced keep the human awake. When the eyes do not receive light, melatonin is produced in the pineal gland and the human becomes tired.
You’re free to come to your own conclusions, but in my research and anecdotal experience, exposure to UV light during the day is an absolute MUST for optimal health. Normal caveat obviously applies that being in the sun to the point where you burn is not a good thing.
However, you can build up your “solar callus” to the point where this concern becomes less and less as the hot summer sun approaches your location. This includes slowly increasing, to as much skin as possible, the amount of time you expose your body to midday sun. Additionally, exposure to early morning and afternoon sun, rich in red light, conditions your body to handle more UV light without burning.
Some of the plethora of health benefits from exposure to UV light include Vitamin D synthesis, improved mood, reduced risk of chronic disease, improved mitochondrial function, improved circadian rhythms, improved skin conditions, and reduced blood pressure.
Dr. Gerald Pollack, author of the 4th Phase of Water, writes that sunbathing allows the cells of our body to charge, turning the water in our cells into a battery that can store electrical potential. Just 5-10 minutes in the sun prepares the cells for action and produces a meaningful change in the body.
It’s important that the eyes are not covered up in our consumption of light, because they “are the master sensor which sunlight influences the hypothalamus of the brain, circadian rhythms, metabolism regulation, and production of key neurotransmitters and hormones.” German light researcher, Dr. Alexander Wunsch, continues to say that windows and glasses can turn even the best light into “junk light”.
It’s best to keep the sunglasses off as often as tolerated. However, harsh glares from bodies of water is one situation where you should wear them. People with lighter eyes also should be a bit more cautious.
It also doesn’t strike me as a coincidence that all five “Blue Zones” are areas with abundant sunshine. The five zones are Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Icaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California. I’m not telling you with 100% certainty that sunshine is the #1 reason, but maybe instead of trying to find how much olive oil they eat, our time would be better served discussing how much sun these centenarians have gotten.
Personally, I’m extremely attracted to midday sun exposure. I’ve sought it out consistently throughout my life. In New York City, I would be laying on my tar roof every sunny day from spring to fall. In the frigid winters, I would make frequent trips to Mexico or South Florida to top up my UV levels.
I didn’t do this because I was convinced by all the scientific research, I did this because I intuitively was called to the sun. Some of my obsession was motivated by being tan, sure, but also by the upsurge in energy it would give me for the weeks to follow. I always have felt better when I’ve been in the sun.
This is why it troubles me to see so many people lather up with sunscreens, many of which are legit toxic to the body and to marine life, before any dangerous encounter with the outside world, thereby shielding themselves from all the goodness that the sun freely provides.
By building up a solar callus mentioned earlier, you will not need to use sunscreen unless you’re going to be exposed to high UV for long periods of time. You can modulate exposure by being in/out of shade.
Individual discretion is important here. If you are light skinned and travel from Canada to Puerto Rico in December, you’re going to need to protect yourself more. If you are darker skinned, you require more UV light to yield the same health benefits as a light skinned person.
Back to sunscreen, which often contains oxybenzone, a known estrogenic, as well as 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) and benzophenone (BP). 4-MBC was banned in Europe in 2015 (still legal in America, where corporations own profitable patents on formulations) and BP was named “Allergen of the Year” by the American Contact Dermatitis Society. Both of these substances are used to absorb UV radiation and are likely present in your favorite sunscreen product.
In his book “Estrogeneration: How Estrogenics are Making You Sick, Fat, and Infertile”, Anthony Jay says that 4-MBC and BPC can stick to estrogen receptors, causing long-term damage. So these substances cause endocrine damage, as well as DNA damage and environmental toxicity. If you’re unfamiliar with the effects of endocrine damage, google it at your own risk.
Once the UV starts to fade in the afternoon, the red light returns. Similar benefits from watching the sunrise can be derived from watching the sunset.. Humans seem to have a natural affinity to watching the beauty of a sunset. The psychological and physical health benefits are just a plus to what is already a commonly enjoyed experience.
After sunset is where a ton of people living in the modern world go wrong in managing their circadian biology. Instead of turning the lights off with the setting sun, up goes an array of artificial lighting in both the inside and outside environments. Of course, this helps us safely navigate from place to place, continue being productive in our work life, enjoy social situations after dark, and all the other benefits of being able to see clearly at night.
However, there are numerous detrimental health consequences to exposure to artificial light at night. They include, but are not limited to, a disrupted circadian rhythm, reduced melatonin production, increased risk of sleep disorders, increased risk of obesity and metabolic disorders, and increased risk of certain cancers.
I understand that the average person cannot and has no interest in completely avoiding artificial light at night. What I can say is having a few tools to mitigate your exposure to the best of your ability will improve your health.
These include wearing blue light blocking glasses 1-3 hours before bedtime, turning your screens “red” or reducing as much of the blue light your device emits as possible, swapping red incandescent bulbs in for regular white light to simulate fire light, and/or using candles instead of regular lights.
I’ve personally been using blue light blocking glasses for many years, turn my phone red after dark, and use red lights around my apartment at night. I’ve, anecdotally, found these practices extremely beneficial for sleep quality and next-day energy levels.
It can be easy to dismiss the importance of your “light diet” when it comes to your health and well-being. Diet and exercise still are what people most look to when trying to improve health outcomes, which is understandable since this is where the mainstream consciousness has focused for as long as I’ve been in the game.
However, there is a growing contingent of research and intelligent doctors, scientists, and health thought leaders who preach that improving your relationship to light (increased red and UV light, decreased blue light- especially at night) can yield manifold health improvements and is a key cornerstone of optimal health.
What Can You Do?
This may seem like a lot to take in, especially if you’re someone who believes in the harmful effects of UV light, who loves watching Netflix until you pass out, and has a typical 9-5 job which parks you inside all day.
You can peruse the sources listed below, research for yourself, and watch videos and read articles from light thought leaders Dr. Jack Kruse, Dr. Jacob Liberman, among others.
I also implore you to check your intuition on these topics. Do you think we’ve evolved to avoid the sun? Do you think our biology is meant to flood our senses with artificial light after the sun has gone down? Do you think you absorb the chemicals from your sunscreen through your skin, or do they magically disappear?
Luckily, the improvement of your “light diet” doesn’t require any physical exertion, suffering, or monumental challenges. It simply requires you to spend more time outside and to limit blue light exposure at light.
In a perfect world, you would watch the sunrise and sunset, get adequate, maximal body exposure to UV light during the day (individualized), and tailor your nighttime environment to eliminate blue light from screens and artificial lights. You could supplement this with red light therapy devices and UV lamps (especially in northern winters).
At a minimum, I’d suggest getting outside in the first hour of the day for 10+ minutes, wear blue light blocking glasses (red/orange tint) 1+ hours before bed, and expose as much of your skin as possible to midday sun for 5+ minutes a day.
This isn’t meant to be an exhausting scientific description of all things light but simply a primer on its importance and ways you can adjust your lifestyle to make health improvements. It’s easy to list a modality and then subsequent health benefits. Light is more important than that. It’s a foundational piece of optimal health that should not be overlooked.
MINIMUM: Increase daytime light exposure by 30 minutes, download iPhone hack below and/or buy blue light blocking glasses
MAXIMUM: watch every sunrise and sunset, spend at least an hour outside during midday, wear yellow tinted blue light blocking glasses while at computer, orange/red tinted blue light blocking glasses when sun sets, use only red incandescent bulbs or candles in home after dark, download iPhone hack below and turn to red at dusk and sleep mode before bed, use UV lamp if in northern winters, use red light therapy device if unable to see sunrise/sunset, build solar callus so you don’t have to wear sunscreen, wear a hat if under artificial lighting, no sunglasses while outside (there’s more I guess but that’s plenty)
Products
Blue Light Blocking Glasses
-At night, you want glasses with the red tint. Some companies are RA Optics, TrueDark, BonCharge, EMR-TEK.
-During the day, you can wear yellow-tinted blue light blocking glasses if you are staring at the computer all day. Same companies sell these.
Red Incandescent Bulbs at Night
-Or these, which are better because less flicker, but more expensive
(BonCharge has a ton of products centered around this theme of light, all quality stuff)
Red Light Therapy Devices
-If you cannot get adequate morning and evening sun, using red light therapy devices can be extremely beneficial. These units are mostly expensive but you can find a smaller starter unit in the $200 range. Companies that sell these include BonCharge, GembaRed, Joovv.
UV Light Therapy Devices
-If you live in an area with low UV and/or are unable to get outside to get midday sun, a UV light is a good option. You could build your own with this guide below or Sperti makes one.
https://bluelightdiet.gumroad.com/l/vitamindlamp
https://www.amazon.com/Alaska-Northern-Lights-Sperti-Sunlamp/dp/B01LBI1BIO/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=spectra+vitamin+d+lamp&qid=1683995230&sr=8-4&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.ac2169a1-b668-44b9-8bd0-5ec63b24bcb5
The Greatest iPhone Health Hack of All Time
-Article on how best to optimize your phone for appropriate light:
https://www.bluelightdiet.com/blog/circadiancontrolpanel
*note- using grayscale does not do the job, use this above
If I’ve sent you this article and/or you’ve come across it, please feel free to ask any questions or express any concerns with my views.
Sources
Sleep disorders:
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that shift workers had a higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea than non-shift workers. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8490216/)
Another study published in Sleep Medicine Reviews found that exposure to artificial light at night can disrupt the sleep-wake cycle and increase the risk of sleep disorders. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6751071/)
A review published in Sleep Medicine found that circadian disruption caused by shift work can lead to a range of sleep disorders, including insomnia, sleep fragmentation, and excessive daytime sleepiness. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6859247/)
Metabolic disorders:
A study published in Diabetes Care found that shift work was associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31684766/)
Another study published in PLoS Medicine found that exposure to artificial light at night was associated with an increased risk of obesity and metabolic disorders. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6563591/)
A review published in the journal Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care found that circadian disruption caused by shift work and other factors can lead to metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. (https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.109.208355)
Mood disorders:
A study published in the journal Psychiatry Research found that shift work was associated with an increased risk of depression. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016517812300029X)
A review published in the journal Biological Psychiatry found that circadian disruption can lead to mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, by affecting the production and regulation of neurotransmitters in the brain. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5694588/)
Red Light on Mitochondrial Function
In a 2013 study published in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, researchers investigated the effect of red light on mitochondrial function in cultured human skin fibroblasts. They found that exposure to red light led to an increase in mitochondrial function, including increased oxygen consumption and ATP production. The researchers concluded that red light may have therapeutic potential for treating mitochondrial dysfunction. Wunsch A, et al. "Effects of red light on mitochondrial function in human skin fibroblasts." Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, vol. 123, 2013, pp. 146-151.
In a 2015 study published in the Journal of Biophotonics, researchers investigated the effect of red light on mitochondrial function in cultured human muscle cells. They found that exposure to red light led to an increase in mitochondrial respiration, as well as an increase in the activity of key mitochondrial enzymes. The researchers suggested that red light may be a useful tool for improving mitochondrial function in a range of different cell types. Ferraresi C, et al. "Red light improves mitochondrial function in mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury." Journal of Biophotonics, vol. 8, no. 5, 2015, pp. 389-402.
Red Light and Vitamin D Production
Vitamin D production: This study (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31336449/) investigated the effects of low-level laser therapy at different wavelengths on vitamin D production and skin barrier function. The researchers found that exposure to red and green light increased vitamin D production, while exposure to blue and violet light decreased vitamin D production. This suggests that exposure to red light may be beneficial for increasing vitamin D levels in the body.
Red Light on Hormone Production
Testosterone production: In this study (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287248836_The_effects_of_low_level_laser_therapy_LLLT_on_the_testis_in_elevating_serum_testosterone_level_in_rats), researchers investigated the effects of low-level laser therapy at different wavelengths on testosterone production in rats. They found that exposure to red and green light increased testosterone production, while exposure to blue and violet light decreased testosterone production. This suggests that exposure to red light may be beneficial for increasing testosterone levels in the body.
Melatonin production: This study (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30311830/) investigated the effects of different wavelengths of light on melatonin production in humans. The researchers found that exposure to red light in the evening increased melatonin production, while exposure to blue light in the evening suppressed melatonin production. This suggests that exposure to red light may be beneficial for promoting optimal melatonin production, which can help regulate other hormones in the body.
Positive Effects of UV Light
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that office environments should place more emphasis on daylight exposure for the workers to prompt health and well-being (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4031400/)
Vitamin D synthesis: A study published in the Journal Nutrients found a single 30-minute bout of sun exposure was sufficient to observe an increase in vitamin D3 concentration (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7468901/)
Improved mood: A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that exposure to bright light, which includes UV light, led to significant improvements in symptoms of depression in study participants. The researchers concluded that light therapy could be a promising treatment option for depression. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6746555/)
Reduced risk of certain diseases: A study published in the journal Neurology found that individuals who lived in sunnier regions had a lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis compared to those who lived in regions with less sunlight. The researchers suggested that UV light exposure and vitamin D synthesis may play a role in reducing the risk of multiple sclerosis. Link: https://n.neurology.org/content/76/6/540.short
Improved skin conditions: A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that UVB phototherapy was an effective treatment option for patients with moderate to severe eczema. The researchers concluded that UVB therapy could be a safe and effective alternative to other eczema treatments.
Reduced blood pressure: A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that exposure to UV light led to increased production of nitric oxide in the skin, which helped lower blood pressure in study participants. The researchers concluded that UV light could be a potential non-pharmacological treatment option for hypertension.
Improved circadian rhythms: Kruse often cites a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, which found that exposure to bright light in the morning can help regulate the body's circadian rhythms and improve sleep quality. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7432546/)
Red Light Exposure Impact on Handling UV Light
Pre-exposure to visible light reduces the risk of ultraviolet radiation-induced skin damage in humans. This study investigated the effects of pre-exposure to red light on skin damage caused by subsequent UV radiation exposure. The study found that pre-exposure to red light led to a decrease in markers of skin damage caused by UV radiation, including inflammation and oxidative stress. The authors suggest that the photoprotective effects of red light may be due to its ability to enhance cellular energy production and repair mechanisms in the skin. The study suggests that pre-exposure to red light may have potential benefits in protecting the skin from UV radiation-induced damage. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4605358/)
Negative Effects of Sunscreen
A study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology in 2011 found that benzophenone-1 (BP-1) and benzophenone-3 (BP-3) can disrupt the endocrine system in rats, potentially leading to adverse reproductive effects. (https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/EHP5221)
Another study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives in 2014 found that BP-3 can interfere with thyroid hormone signaling and may have negative effects on brain development in zebrafish. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1050464822005514#:~:text=Zebrafish%20and%20mammals%20possess%20the,using%20zebrafish%20as%20a%20model.)
Endocrine disruption: A study published in 2020 found that 4-MBC can disrupt estrogen signaling in human breast cancer cells, potentially leading to hormonal imbalances and adverse reproductive effects.(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6561091/)
Neurotoxic Effects: A study published in 2017 found that 4-MBC can cause a neurotoxic effect. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5615097/)
Sunscreen’s Negative Impact on Marine Life
A study published in the journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology found that oxybenzone and other sunscreen ingredients can cause coral bleaching and damage to coral DNA, leading to reduced fertility and other health problems. Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-015-0227-7
Another study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology found that oxybenzone can accumulate in fish and other aquatic organisms, potentially leading to toxic effects. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9652235/)
Environmental toxicity: A study published in 2021 found that both 4-MBC and BP are toxic to freshwater microalgae and can accumulate in aquatic organisms, potentially leading to negative effects on the environment. Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/8/374
Dangers of Blue Light at Night
Hormone production: This global study (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5454613/) discusses the effects of light at night on melatonin production, which can disrupt hormone production and increase the risk of cancer. The authors suggest that exposure to light at night, especially blue light from electronic devices, may be a risk factor for certain types of cancer. They recommend reducing exposure to artificial light at night to promote optimal hormone production and reduce cancer risk.
Circadian rhythm: In this study (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3047226/), researchers investigated the effects of blue light from LED screens on melatonin production in humans. They found that exposure to blue light in the evening caused a dose-dependent suppression of melatonin, which is a hormone that regulates sleep and circadian rhythm. This suggests that exposure to blue light in the evening may disrupt our natural sleep and wake cycles, leading to sleep disorders and other health problems.
Increased risk of sleep disorders: A study found that exposure to artificial light at night can disrupt the body's production of melatonin and other hormones, which can lead to sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea. The study also found that exposure to blue light, which is emitted by many electronic devices, is particularly disruptive to sleep. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26375320/)
Increased risk of obesity and metabolic disorders: A study published in the journal PLOS ONE found that exposure to artificial light at night can disrupt the body's circadian rhythm and reduce melatonin production, which can lead to metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. The study found that exposure to artificial light at night can also lead to changes in appetite and food intake, which can contribute to weight gain. (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0197035)
Increased risk of certain cancers: An article discusses that exposure to artificial light at night, particularly blue light, is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. The study found that women who were exposed to high levels of outdoor artificial light at night had a higher risk of breast cancer compared to women who were not exposed to artificial light at night. (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/outdoor-light-night-breast-cancer/)
Benefits of Wearing Blue Light Blocking Glasses
Improved sleep quality: A study published in 2022 found that wearing blue light blocking glasses for two hours before bedtime improved sleep quality and reduced symptoms of sleepiness during the day in a group of young adults. The study suggests that blue light exposure from electronic devices may contribute to sleep disturbances and that wearing blue light blocking glasses can help mitigate these effects. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9424753/)
Reduced risk of macular degeneration: A study published in 2006 found that blue light blocking glasses can reduce the amount of blue light that reaches the retina, which may help reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The study suggests that blue light exposure may contribute to the development of AMD and that blue light blocking glasses may help protect against this condition. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16395131/)