Is
y
our iPad
c
ausing
your
Insomnia?
By Dave From Paleohacks
Creator of the Paleohacks Cookbook
Do you leave your computer, tablet or TV switched on in the bedroom, as you drift off to sleep each night? Millions of people do, without understanding the dramatic health consequences.
Yet, they all do something which causes harm in humans. The blue light they emit impairs restful sleep. How? Exposure to blue light prevents the release of melatonin, which is an essential hormone associated with sleep.
Unfortunately, blue light not only suppresses melatonin production and sleep. It’s considered “carcinogenic pollution” and a recent study on mice shows blue light correlating with higher cancer rates.
A lack of melatonin is linked to higher rates of breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers, while blocking blue rays with amber glasses is linked to lower cancer rates.
Not only is sleep impacted. It also negatively influences thermoregulation, blood pressure and glucose homeostasis.
Exposure significantly impacts your own mood.
Blue light exposure may be playing a role in the higher incidence of cataracts and macular degeneration seen today.
How Your Sleep is Compromised
Ordinarily, the pineal gland, a pea-size organ in the brain, begins to release melatonin a couple of hours before your regular bedtime. The hormone is no sleeping pill, but it does reduce alertness, making sleep more inviting.
Light,. especially that of the blue variety, can keep the pineal gland from releasing melatonin, thus warding off sleepiness and stopping you nodding off.
You don’t have to be staring directly at a television or computer screen: If enough blue light hits the eye, even after being reflected around the room, the gland can stop releasing melatonin.