Effect of Blue Light on the Brain: The world has changed significantly these days. People are avoiding going out. They lie in their rooms with the lights on all day and night. Let us explain how LEDs affect the brain.

Disadvantages of LED lights

How Blue Light Affects Biological Clock: Even though LED and other artificial lights are considered environmentally friendly, the blue light emitted from them can adversely affect sleep and increase the risk of diseases. According to a research paper published in Harvard Medical School, before the advent of artificial lights, the sun was the main source of light, and people used to remain in darkness to a large extent in the evening, the situation has changed. As soon as evening falls, there is light all around, and we consider it normal. 

But this light can come at a cost to our health. Nighttime light disrupts the body's biological clock, known as the circadian rhythm. This affects sleep, and research suggests it can also lead to problems like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. 

What is Blue Light?

Not every color of light has the same effect. Blue wavelengths are beneficial during the day, improving attention, reaction time, and mood. However, it is this blue light that proves most harmful at night. With the increasing use of screen-based electronic devices and energy-efficient lighting, exposure to blue light after sunset is steadily increasing.

Light and sleep

Each person's circadian rhythm is slightly different, but on average, it's about 24 hours and 15 minutes. Late-nighters have slightly longer biological clocks, while early-nighters have shorter ones. Dr. Charles Geisler of Harvard Medical School demonstrated in 1981 that natural daylight keeps the body's internal clock in sync with the environment.

Are night lights really harmful?

Some studies have suggested that exposure to light at night, such as working night shifts, may be linked to diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. However, it has not been conclusively proven that night light is a direct cause of these diseases, and further research is needed to determine the underlying causes. 

What is the problem with LEDs?

According to Vision Lighting , LED lights have a very rapid on-off flicker, which may not be visible to the eyes, but is felt by the brain. This can cause eye fatigue, headaches, irritability, and increased restlessness at night. On the other hand, blue light signals to the brain that it's daytime and suppresses the hormone melatonin. Research shows that exposure to blue light at night delays sleep onset. This is why the bright LED lights in modern homes are contributing to sleep problems.