Somnologie - Schlafforschung und Schlafmedizin· 2019Q4· Review
Effects of light on human circadian rhythms, sleep and mood
- 663citations
- Q4SCImago
- 2019year
Short summary
Artificial light, especially at night, disrupts human circadian rhythms and sleep, potentially increasing the risk of sleep disorders, but light can also be used therapeutically to improve sleep and mood.
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Key points
- Artificial light availability has significantly altered the human light environment, especially at night.
- Nocturnal light exposure can disrupt circadian rhythms and sleep, increasing the risk of sleep disorders.
- Light can be effectively used as a non-invasive therapy to improve sleep, mood, and well-being.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Humans live in a 24-hour environment, in which light and darkness follow a diurnal pattern. Our circadian pacemaker, the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) in the hypothalamus, is entrained to the 24-hour solar day via a pathway from the retina and synchronises our internal biological rhythms. Rhythmic variations in ambient illumination impact behaviours such as rest during sleep and activity during wakefulness as well as their underlying biological processes. Rather recently, the availability of artificial light has substantially changed the light environment, especially during evening and night hours. This may increase the risk of developing circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders (CRSWD), which are often caused by a misalignment of endogenous circadian rhythms and external light-dark cycles. While the exact relationship between the availability of artificial light and CRSWD remains to be established, nocturnal light has been shown to alter circadian rhythms and sleep in humans. On the other hand, light can also be used as an effective and noninvasive therapeutic option with little to no side effects, to improve sleep,mood and general well-being. This article reviews our current state of knowledge regarding the effects of light on circadian rhythms, sleep, and mood.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Somnologie - Schlafforschung und Schlafmedizin, 2019 · DOI ↗
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Field: Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
Endocrine and Autonomic SystemsNeuroscience