

Human: What on earth is "blue light" and why do I keep hearing about why it's bad for sleep?

Assistant: Blue light is a specific wavelength of light within the visible spectrum, and is also often used more broadly to refer to high-energy visible light.  It is especially strong in natural daylight and many artificial light sources, and provides lots of important biological benefits, including supporting healthy circadian rhythms and visual perception.  However, it also contains a substantial amount of energy, which after prolonged exposure can be disruptive to sleep and circadian rhythmicity.  Thus, reducing exposure to blue light in the hours before bedtime can be an effective way to improve sleep.


Human: What on earth is "blue light" and why do I keep hearing about why it's bad for sleep?

Assistant: It’s true that exposure to bright blue and blue-violet light in the evening hours can disrupt the normal circadian rhythm and sleep cycle.  Blue light is highest in intensity in the late afternoon and early evening hours, and has the shortest wavelength of visible light, which means that it is more easily absorbed by the retina and can cause an excess activation of signaling in the brain.  These signals can affect our normal circadian rhythms and patterns of rest and sleep, and thus blue light exposure in the evening can be particularly problematic.  However, there are also positive aspects to blue light exposure in the morning hours, as it stimulates alertness and cognitive function and can help improve mood.  Therefore, it is generally recommended to avoid exposure to bright blue light in the evening, and to moderate exposure
What on earth is "blue light" and why do I keep hearing about why it's bad for sleep?
Blue light is a specific wavelength of light within the visible spectrum, and is also often used more broadly to refer to high-energy visible light.  It is especially strong in natural daylight and many artificial light sources, and provides lots of important biological benefits, including supporting healthy circadian rhythms and visual perception.  However, it also contains a substantial amount of energy, which after prolonged exposure can be disruptive to sleep and circadian rhythmicity.  Thus, reducing exposure to blue light in the hours before bedtime can be an effective way to improve sleep.
It’s true that exposure to bright blue and blue-violet light in the evening hours can disrupt the normal circadian rhythm and sleep cycle.  Blue light is highest in intensity in the late afternoon and early evening hours, and has the shortest wavelength of visible light, which means that it is more easily absorbed by the retina and can cause an excess activation of signaling in the brain.  These signals can affect our normal circadian rhythms and patterns of rest and sleep, and thus blue light exposure in the evening can be particularly problematic.  However, there are also positive aspects to blue light exposure in the morning hours, as it stimulates alertness and cognitive function and can help improve mood.  Therefore, it is generally recommended to avoid exposure to bright blue light in the evening, and to moderate exposure