Do You Understand How Light is Impacting Your Health?

It would be an understatement to say that Thomas Edison changed the world when he invented the lightbulb in 1879. In reality, he transformed the very way that people live their lives. Rather than going to bed with the sunset and waking with the sunrise, artificial light has made it possible to extend the day for as many hours as we need. Unfortunately, health experts believe that this ability has also created extensive and damaging health effects on the human body.

As Charles Czeisler, chief of the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, explains, “The more research we do, the more evidence we have that excess artificial light at night can have a profound, deleterious effect on many aspects of human health. It’s growing public health concern.” Of course, artificial light now comes from more than just lightbulbs: televisions, computers, tablets, smartphones, and e-readers are all culprits.

The body is designed to respond to bright light. When the eyes register bright light, the brain stops producing melatonin, the hormone that supports sleep, and starts producing energizing cortisol instead. The more that humans are “darkness deprived,” the less their bodies are synchronized to healthy and constructive rhythms. This is why excess light at night can be connected to weight gain, diabetes, and metabolic diseases. Due to all of this, physicians and researchers are increasingly insisting that darkness at night is just as important to human wellness as a healthy diet and regular exercise.

If you have unresolved health problems that continue to impact your quality of life, you may need to adjust your nighttime habits in order to enjoy more time in true darkness. Unplug from technology, dim the lights, and see what benefits may come! You can also call (727) 525-0900 to make an appointment with Kavita Rao, M.D., St. Petersburg’s premier internist. Dr. Rao will carefully evaluate the different components of your health to determine which changes and interventions will help you regain your vitality.