Before the invention of light bulbs, humans received most light exposure from the Sun, getting the full spectrum of visible light during the day, with more mild light exposure during the evening. With the rapid expansion of technology, humans now experience substantially more light exposure at all times of the day and well into the evening, primarily through the increased use of smartphones, tablets, computers, and TVs, which emit a large amount of blue light. In recent years, blue light exposure has supposedly been associated with poor sleep, eye strain, and macular degeneration. Andy and Aaron take a look at the evidence behind these claims and perform their own experiment with blue light.

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Resources:

Lux Light Level Chart

Exposure to Room Light Before Bedtime Suppresses Melatonin Onset and Shortens Melatonin Duration in Humans

Sensitivity of the Human Circadian Pacemaker to Nocturnal Light: Melatonin Phase Resetting and Suppression

Action Spectrum for Melatonin Regulation in Humans: Evidence for a Novel Circadian Photoreceptor

Melatonin Suppression and Sleepiness in Children Exposed to Blue-Enriched White LED Lighting at Night

Rat Study Showing the Damage of Blue Light at Extreme Levels

Harvard Health Blog on Blue Light and Macular Degeneration

RA Optics Blue Light Blocking Glasses

driftTV Blue Light Blocking TV Box