The Effects of Electronic Light on Sleep

Teddy Larkin
Freshman
Biology Major

Why is Light Important to Sleep?

Light entering your eyes is the most influential

mechanism that prevents sleep
The Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)
Regulates pineal gland, an endocrine gland
located posterior to the thalamus
The pineal gland secretes melatonin, the sleep
hormone

Why Electronic Light?

Computer monitors and TVs emit blue
wavelength light
Exposure to blue light has shown to limit the
production of melatonin more than white light
The absence of blue light causes melatonin
production to increase, inducing drowsiness

Research
Researchers from the Lighting Research Center at
RPI examined the effects of electronic light on
melatonin
Study participants played games and watched
movies on a tablet
Some wore goggles that affect bodily melatonin
production based on light from the screens
Researchers found that a two-hour exposure to
light from blue self-luminous electronic displays
can suppress melatonin by about 22 percent
Significantly more than white light studies!!

What Can YOU Do About This?

Plan Ahead- Manage your time
Pre-sleep routine dim the lights in the
house, turn off the TV and computer at least
15 minutes before you go to bed
Blue light blockers- Eyeglasses, eye covers and
light bulbs filter out blue wavelengths of light
that suppress melatonin
Do you wear YOUR sunglasses at night?

 Electronic lights can impede body's primitive

need for darkness and interfere with sleep even
more than white light
Limit the amount of time spent using these
devices prior to bedtime!!

Works Cited
http://www.trbimg.com/img4fd937ba/turbine/ct-sc-health-0613-bluelight.jpg-20120613/600
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/05/
tablet-light-sleep-melatonin-e-reader_n_1847889.html