Many of the takes I see on Twitter about blue light are WRONG.
There are only a handful of people who take a balanced, nuanced approach to this subject rather than the black and white word vomit.
Let’s get something straight here..
Sunlight contains blue light and is the best source of it.
It’s essential for health and is responsible for the activation of many key circadian processes which is a major part of your well-being.
Not only does it signal to your brain that it’s time to wake up and strengthen your circadian rhythm set point.. it influences mood, cognition, reaction time, alertness, so forth.
I’ve included a visual representation of the visible light spectrum above.
This shows you every visible light wavelength, much of which sunlight naturally has.
Vibrating within the 380 to 500 nanometer range, blue light has the shortest wavelength and highest energy. About one-third of all visible light is considered blue light.
There’s no logical reason to demonize a natural source of blue light.
Clearing the confusion
Artificial light is a different story.
The confusion resides in the conflation between natural versus artificial blue light.
Most importantly, it depends on context.
Blue light from the sun is a powerful health tool in the morning and during the day, but artificial blue light after sunset is a great way to destroy your well-being over both the short and long run.
The visual representation offered above applies to both sunlight and artificial blue light exposed directly into the eyes. It penetrates the cornea + lens and if done chronically can damage the retina leading to macular degeneration.
There are exceptions to this with sunlight during sunrise and sunset because more of the light during that time falls into the infrared zone.
Blue light’s impact on the circadian rhythm
The most detrimental impact artificial blue light has on human health resides in its ability to throw your circadian rhythm out of whack.
If you’ve done any research on circadian biology, you know how important it is. It’s responsible for epigenetic expression, blood sugar control, mood, hormone production.. absolutely everything.
Using your phone past sunset isn’t the issue.
I believe the brightness of said screen does more damage.
And that applies to every piece of technology out there.
Using a pair of blue light blockers and reducing the brightness of all tech in addition to the environment has a powerful healing effect on mind, body and spirit.
Replace artificial blue light sources like LEDs with incandescent bulbs, well made red light therapy devices that produce near and infrared light, and candles.
I promise you’ll sleep like a baby.
Sunlight, on the other hand, amplifies good health because it adjusts your circadian rhythm appropriately. This is why I’m an advocate of morning sunlight exposure in combination with more exposure during the day.
This is the dichotomy of blue light.
If you’ve gained benefit from this, consider signing up for my coaching program which covers every single fundamental you’ll need for a lifetime.
Much love,
Zaid