The Blue Light From Your Electronic Devices Can Be Beneficial, According To Science

Written by Chandrama Deshmukh  • 

In today’s world of virtual addiction, it is important to take note of the effects that the electronic devices and gadgets have on the functioning of our bodies. It is a known fact that all electronic gadgets emit a blue light, which is a colour in the ‘visible light spectrum’ that can be seen by the human eye. Not only do gadgets and devices like TVs, computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets emit this blue light, but even the sun is a source of the blue light, which makes the sky look blue. However, the difference that remains is that the blue light from the sun is a natural form of blue light, but that from our devices is an artificial one.

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Scientific studies have time and again proven how harmful this emitted blue light can be to our eyes. An excessive exposure of this wavelength of light can harm the light-sensitive retinal cells located in our eyes, which can lead to macular degeneration and eventually permanent vision loss (1). It may also lead to weight gain, sleep disorders, diabetes, and even depression (2).

The Pros And Cons Of Blue Light

However, recent studies by scientists at the Brain-Computer Interface Lab at the University of Granada have proved otherwise. Though the blue light might have a number of demerits to scare one off, it also has a fair amount of positive effects on the body. It not only boosts memory and attentiveness, but high energy visible light also helps in lifting up moods and cognitive functions. Additionally, SAD (read: seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression that is related to the changes in seasons) is, in fact, treated with light therapy using a significant amount of HEV blue light rays.

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Through experiments, the scientists found out that blue light exposure can also relax the brain and cause it to recover after any kind of acute psychological stress; for instance, like an argument with a partner or a close one. For the study, the researchers focussed on a group of 12 physically fit adults in the age group 18 to 37. They were put through acute psychological stress using the ‘Montreal Imaging Task Method’ (MIST). The chosen subjects were asked to solve mathematical questions involving calculations while also being exposed to stressful social circumstances.

Post the task, the subjects were taken for a session of relaxation in a chromatherapy room using coloured light in order to obtain their physiological or mental changes. Out of the 12 subjects, half of them were exposed to the blue light, while the other half was exposed to a white light. Their brain activity patterns and heart rates were then monitored and recorded by the scientists during the entire session. It was finally observed that the subjects exposed to the blue light were three times more relaxed than those exposed to the white light. This is not only applicable in the clinical environments, but also in our daily lives and educational environments.

The blue light helps regulate our circadian rhythm – the body’s sleep and active cycle, and exposure to it during the day helps in maintaining a healthy circadian rhythm (3). However, the same blue light also has adverse effects at night. Too much of it in the night can disrupt the cycle, eventually leading to fatigue and sleep disorders. Hence, reading a novel on a tablet, for instance, during bedtime can prove to be as harmful as working on laptops or desktop computers till the wee hours.

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Can We Minimize The Adverse Effects Of Blue Light?

It is possible to regulate the harmful effects of the blue light by simply changing your habits. By maximising the amount of natural bright light we get during the day, we can minimize the effects of the blue-hued light during the night, according to Mariana Figueiro, the Light and Health Program Director at Lighting Research Center, New York. This leads to a high metabolism during the day, which increases your resistance towards the negative bodily consequences of blue light.

Apart from a healthy sleeping cycle, one should also try to keep the lights dim and stay away from bright blue screens for at least 3 hours a day. The lights within the house can be replaced with longer wavelength lights that are dimmer. One can even use an eye mask while sleeping.

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Additionally, a walk outside in the morning can refresh the body and prove to be good for the eyes. Taking short breaks from continuous laptop or computer work can also prove to be beneficial. In fact, studies have proved that most offices are too enclosed and dim to let in the positive effects of the bright daylight.

Life without gadgets might seem unimaginable today; however, with the growing dependency, one also needs to be smart enough to know the pros and cons of the technology. Well, now you know that blue light won’t always make you lose your precious sight. In fact, with a little precaution, it can do wonders for your body and mind!

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