Unable to fall asleep? This is one of the known causes...LED lighting

[Amity Island]

Our switch from the older warm natural lights to the blue led lights across our homes and streets can lead to the reduction of melatonin production by the body. Melatonin is the hormone that makes you really sleepy and sends you off to sleep. With reduced melatonin, you can never feel sleepy and are never able to sleep.

Increase in LED lighting ‘risks harming human and animal health’

Transition to blue light radiation across Europe increases suppression of sleep hormone melatonin, say scientists

www.theguardian.com

Blue light has a dark side - Harvard Health

Light at night is bad for your health, and exposure to blue light emitted by electronics and energy-efficient lightbulbs may be especially so....

www.health.harvard.edu

 

[mikeyB]

This is not news. It has been known for years that blue lights can affect sleep. That is why my Kindle, which I read in bed before sleeping, switches from day mode to evening mode, when the screen changes from white to a rich cream colour. My iPad pulls off the same trick. notifying me by the crescent moon symbol on the opening screen before logging in.

It's also been known to ornithologists that the life of birds in cities an towns can have their lives disrupted by LED street lights.

 

[Windy]

And you can buy LED lighting which isn't blue - I have them in my house in most of the rooms, and they're all more of a yellow/orange colour - I bought "warm white" ones, rather than the bluish ones. Loads cheaper to run than old incandescent bulbs or compact fluorescent.

 

[nonethewiser]

No matter what light was on have no problem sleeping, out in 5 mins max.

 

[42istheanswer]

Melatonin also does not really  keep you asleep, it helps you to get to sleep (if you are deficient). Part of working with your natural production is as you say, reducing light input (especially blue light) but also working out when your natural peak is. One reason teenagers often sleep later when allowed to is that their natural peak is about 1am, for most adults is about 10pm. But it may vary for some adults, particularly those with neurodiversity who are more likely to have difficulty producing enough.

@Amity Island Some people suggest various home recipes to try to naturally boost your body's production but they're not generally diabetes friendly (specific cherry juice and oats etc late at night).

Number one step for difficulty getting to sleep should always be to consider sleep hygiene - not eating too late so meal is well digested, reducing screentime/activity in the run up to going to bed, no or minimal (non-blue) light while trying to sleep, going to bed and getting up at the same time every day. (I'm not very good at any of this )

 

[mikeyB]

If they have known about it for years, why have they been installing these all over the streets and roads across the world?
It's affecting humans, animals and insects.

Simply because (1) they are cheaper to run and (2) they last much longer before needing replacement. It's money, without regard for anything else.

 

[Bronco Billy]

I would encourage everyone to read the articles for the full context behind the research if you find the subject interesting.