Artificial LED Lights from Digital Devices Reduce Sleep Quality

We undoubtedly love the conveniences digital devices bring into our lives, regardless of time or place. Who has not fallen asleep with a phone in hand, or enjoyed the idea of watching television while lying in bed? Research suggests that blue light emitted by electronic devices may be the main cause of rapidly increasing sleep disorders.

Volunteers aged 17-42 were told to wear glasses blocking short-wavelength light for 3 hours before sleep, continue their usual digital routines and maintain this pattern for 2 weeks. Even this small experiment showed an increase in the hormone telling people you should go to bed as its message, melatonin of up to %58. This was recorded as exceeding even increases achieved artificially.

The most important conclusion is that emitted blue light negatively affects sleep quality . Sleep is among the most important factors influencing the body's basic regulation.

The 22 volunteers reported sleeping more easily, falling asleep more readily and sleeping an average of 24 minutes longer after the experiment.

The most important known blue-light source is sunlight. However, blue light is most often encountered in LED (Light Emitting Diode) digital products. By triggering alertness and disturbing our body clock, blue light disrupts circadian rhythm, the system deciding when the body should sleep or wake. This artificial light activates the eye's ipRGC (intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell) cells and suppresses melatonin, causing insomnia or disturbed sleep.

Limiting blue-light exposure, using blue-light filters, wearing blue-light-blocking computer glasses and particularly glasses or lenses that reflect harmful rays are recommended.

Blue-light-blocking glasses can prevent light reaching photoreceptors, allowing us to continue necessary tasks without disrupting sleep patterns.

Recent data indicate that nearly %50 of people across the United States report that lack of sleep negatively affects their work.