Blue Light Does Not Interrupt Sleeping Patterns, Study Says

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A recent study revealed that blue light emitted from screens does not actually disrupt sleeping patterns. Previous studies have pointed out that blue light suppresses the body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates an individual’s sleep cycle. Reduced melatonin levels may lead to sleeping problems, like insomnia. Thus, phone developers introduced night mode to lessen melatonin suppression. With this feature, screens use warm yellow colors instead of blue light. However, researchers from Manchester University found that exposure to warm colors before going to sleep is what actually disrupts sleeping patterns. Hence, the night mode feature might be contributing to sleep interruptions more than regular brightness settings do. To come up with these findings, the researchers conducted an experiment on mice, wherein they exposed the animals to blue and yellow lights with varying brightness. Results showed that both colors were stimulating when the brightness was high. However, when both colors were dimmed, only the blue light produced restful effects. The findings prove to be aligned with the fact that warm, bright yellow light is associated with daylight, when most people are active, while dim blue light is associated with night time, when most people are usually asleep. Thus, the researchers believe that their findings hold true for other mammals, like humans, as well. Still, to confirm their findings, the researchers recommend further studies on the matter. According to the researchers, using light colors correctly may be significant in solving sleeping problems. They also said that there are available and scientifically proven ways to fix such problems, such as synchronizing body clocks with personal schedules, instead of relying on the night mode of devices.