Blue Light - Is It Harmful or Helpful?
Blue light is one hot topic right now. However, how many people truly know what blue light is, what the effects of blue light are, and if it is harmful or helpful. The answer is, not as many as we should have aware of this issue.
Blue light is a specific component along the visible light spectrum. In general all waves of light have an energy part to them. Blue light has the highest energy outputs of visible light. It has slightly less output of energy than UV (ultraviolet rays), which is invisible light.
Blue light is actually everywhere. The most obvious or talked about source of blue light so happens to be our phones, computers, and other electronic devices. Studies show 60% of people spend at least 6 hours in front of a digital device.
Blue light can actually delay the release of a natural body produced hormone known as Melatonin. Melatonin is produced creating a tiredness in our body. It is also a supplement many take to aid in their sleep. Blue light also interferes with ones circadian rhythm as well as increasing alertness. The circadian rhythm is interfered with by pushing that natural internal clock and dialing it back to a later time than it. Let's think of that time you went to Las Vegas, with all of those amazing bright lights, flashy signs, etc. You stayed inside the casino all night and when you walked out the sun was shining, and you looked at your watch to see 7:00am. You had no idea where the time went. Well that blue light kept you alert, messed with your circadian rhythm, and decreased the production of your Melatonin. So as your family chiropractor in San Diego we see a lot of kids. Teenagers are already dealing with a shift in their circadian rhythm, but now throw in the blue light and their bodies will be all sorts of messed up.
Blue light has also been linked to macular degeneration as well as digital strain on the eyes.
This has become such a hot topic across the nation. Not only is it affecting our children, ourselves, our loved, pretty much everyone we know minus maybe grandma and grandpa who refuse to upgrade their flip phones and would rather read than watch the television. Unfortunately our eyes can not block the blue light, unlike their ability to block UV rays from reaching our retina.
As one of the best chiropractor in San Diego, we are not just focused on your low back pain, neck pain, sciatica, headaches, etc. But rather focused on your overall health and wellness. We want you to be the best version of yourself. We also look directly at the nervous system. As noted above, blue light stimulates and increases alertness. This increased alertness stimulates the autonomic nervous system, specifically the sympathetic system which is the gas pedal in our body. By this being stimulated or heightened for long periods of time is extremely detrimental to our health and being.
Every day is a change or improvement into this discussion. Right now there is some really awesome things happening to help protect us from these blue light emissions. Some very simple tips that can be done are get your glasses lenses blue light protected, there are also blue light protection glasses you buy seperately if you use contacts or do not need seeing glasses. However the absolute best is to avoid using devices that emit them, HA, yeah right. But all joking aside, reduce the amount of time you spend in front of a blue light emitting device as well as try to avoid using the devices right before bed so you can allow your body to naturally produce its Melatonin, avoid stimulating your sympathetic nervous system, and keep your circadian rhythm in check.
As always if you have any questions, please do not hesitate calling our San Diego chiropractic office or shooting us an email. We are always here to help you.