Electronic Health Reporter

People are constantly under the glare of artificial light these days, with lighting systems brightening the night and their eyes constantly on a screen. It’s impossible to avoid artificial light exposure, and unfortunately, sometimes it can be risky. Studies show that artificial light can have a negative effect on mental and physical health. 

The primary issue with artificial lighting is the color spectrum it uses because it includes a blue spectrum, brighter than natural light. Research suggests that the artificial light in digital devices’ screens emits blue light at peak emissions and can influence people’s natural sleeping and waking patterns. 

The dangers of artificial light: Artificial light impacts the circadian rhythm

The circadian rhythm works like an internal clock that regulates the body’s feelings of wakefulness and tiredness. Some outside factors like light can influence its functioning because the human body relies on light to regulate its metabolisms. The hypothalamus controls the circadian rhythm. When the night comes and the lights dim, the eyes signal to the hypothalamus to release melatonin and get the body ready for sleep. 

But if you’re exposed to too much light (you use digital devices at night or don’t switch off the lights in the bedroom), your sleeping patterns can get disturbed. Artificial light can cause several mental and physical issues like a negative effect on your memory and disruption to the melatonin cycles.

Artificial light can increase the risk of cancer

Specialists connected overexposure to artificial light to the diagnosis of breast and prostate cancer. As stated before, light interferes with melatonin production, which should be at peak during the night and lower during the day. The Barcelona Institute for Global Health studied how heavy artificial light exposure affects residents of large cities. It concluded that the residents in these areas have a doubled risk of suffering from prostate cancer and 1.5 times higher risk of having breast cancer. Studies also suggest that people who work night shifts are more likely to develop these types of cancer because their bodies are exposed to both natural and artificial light 24 hours a day.  

Artificial light can cause macular degeneration

Blue light can damage the eye’s retina. When blue light penetrates the macular pigment in the eye, it can lead to a breakdown in the retina. It makes the eyes more likely to develop cell degeneration that can cause issues like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Even if blue light can trigger macular degeneration in various ways, the most common one is retinal damage through a photochemical mechanism. 

Luckily, not all artificial light is bad. Without a doubt, LEDs like those from https://www.lepro.com/led-tube-light are the healthiest form of lighting for commercial and residential environments. 

Here is a list of health benefits of LED lighting. 

LEDs can help you align your circadian rhythm

If you limit your exposure to daylight and the temporal cues it provides to your hypothalamus, your body’s circadian rhythm can experience an imbalance. As stated earlier, artificial light with particular blue wavelengths can suppress melatonin production and heighten the state of alertness that keeps your body awake. Reduced levels of melatonin are associated with the inability to fall asleep and abnormal sleep patterns. 

The latest LED lighting technology mimics the stimuli sunlight provides to your body and promotes a healthy and regular circadian rhythm. When you don’t expose yourself to natural light sufficiently, staying in an environment with LED light can be an adequate substitute. Also, warm LED lighting includes a lower amount of blue light and therefore doesn’t suppress melatonin production. If you use LED bulbs with warm light, you can have a normal sleep cycle. 

LEDs can alleviate headaches

Headaches and migraines are different from one individual to another, but light sensitivity is one of the most common factors that cause these conditions. If you suffer from migraines and headaches, an issue like flickering lighting bulbs or a lack of proper lighting can worsen your symptoms. Lepro, a professional LED systems provider, states that replacing traditional artificial light systems with proper LED technology can create healthier environments and alleviate your headaches and migraines. Pair the LEDs with lighting controls to prevent light sensitivity and improve comfort levels.          

LEDs can lower anxiety and stress

The human body naturally thrives when exposed to sunlight. It means that you’re more predisposed to experience mood changes or mental health issues when the artificial lighting in your house or workplace doesn’t mimic natural sunlight. You can suffer from stress, anxiety, and even seasonal affective disorder. These conditions often require therapy and treatment to improve your symptoms. Supposing the lack of proper light causes anxiety and stress, you need treatment to regulate melatonin production and feel better. When your job or other commitments prevent you from spending time outdoors during the day, LEDs can mimic the same stimuli as the sun and offer help. 

LEDs contain no harmful toxins

Traditional artificial lighting systems contain various levels of mercury, known for its toxic effects. Even a tiny amount from a single bulb can trigger health issues to the eyes, lungs, skin, and human digestive and nervous systems. They’re also difficult to dispose of safely, especially because most people don’t know their light bulbs contain this harmful substance. LEDs don’t contain mercury vapors or other similar chemicals that can harm health and are a safer and healthier replacement in commercial and residential environments. Because LEDs don’t contain mercury, they also don’t produce UV radiation and are more secure for users. Because they’re made without using toxic materials, they’re easy to dispose of and are no danger to the environment. 

Let’s wrap it up

The information presented proves that LED lighting is a healthy artificial light variant for humans. If you still have doubts, get in touch with a reliable LED bulbs provider to find more about these products’ benefits.