A key debate in our modern era is whether the blue wavelengths emitted from our lights and devices disrupt our sleep.
For the first 10,000 generations of human existence, we never had to worry about exposure to blue light in the evenings. Wood fires and candles contained virtually no blue, and nights were dark. But in the last ten years, we have entered the era of ubiquitous blue-rich LEDs in our computer and mobile device screens, and in the lights in our homes and workplaces.
Some sleep scientists claim that removing evening blue light is unnecessary because it doesn’t affect sleep onset. Other experts tell you to protect your health by avoiding blue-containing light after sunset. Who is correct? It turns out, like many debates, it is all a matter of definition of what you mean by “blue”, and what you mean by “disrupted sleep”.
This week, guest writer Dr Martin Moore-Ede M.D., Ph.D., author of Light Doctor, explores the different perspectives and research-led insights on the effects of blue light on our sleep, and what we can do to ensure a healthy sleep routine.
