Health Insights from Light Exposure

A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon an intriguing notion—red light therapy, while maybe sounding a bit odd, is believed to be quite beneficial, especially in relation to testosterone levels. My plan this week? To be cautious and steer clear of both the light and, well, my private areas.

Interestingly, a study from last year uncovered a “significant relationship between outdoor light pollution and Alzheimer’s disease prevalence.” It seems we’re inundated with the wrong kind of light at the wrong times, which can severely disrupt our mental and physical health.

Emulating Our Ancestors

So, what’s my philosophy regarding health? Essentially, I think we should aim to live as closely to how our ancestors did. Why? Because, in many ways, we haven’t evolved much since the days when we roamed as hunter-gatherers some 200,000 years ago. Yes, there have been updates, but our fundamental selves remain similar.

The real shift began about 10,000 to 12,000 years ago with the agricultural revolution in the Near East. Suddenly, farms, cities, commerce, and even taxes entered the picture. As agriculture grew, so did the rapid pace of change. Fast forward to the Industrial Revolution about 200 years back, and everything became frantic.

We now live in bustling communities of millions, working in factories, consuming mass-produced food, and wearing clothing made in the same factories—all while being constantly bombarded by 24/7 artificial light and electromagnetic radiation.

The Challenges of Modern Life

I won’t list all the changes, but it’s evident that our bodies struggle to handle the rapid transformations of the last century. This “modern” way of life is just a moment in the grand timeline of humanity, and our genes might never fully adapt. That’s why I argue for treating our bodies with the care they’d receive in the past.

That said, pursuing an ancestral lifestyle isn’t without pitfalls. Just look at the unfortunate tales surrounding certain “primitive” communities.

And let’s be clear: I’m not dismissing all the positives of modernity. Here I am, typing this piece on my sleek iPad in a heated living room. It’s definitely handy! That said, I sometimes reminisce about writing like Cicero, surrounded by grapes, reclining on some elaborate furnishing.

The Influence of Light

Changes over the last century have dramatically altered our relationship with light—both natural and artificial. Historically, we aligned our daily routines with the Earth’s natural rhythms, waking with the sun and sleeping at night. Sure, seasons changed, but they followed a familiar pattern. The advent of fire and candles wasn’t a game changer.

However, the rise of electric lighting has severely disrupted these natural cycles. Now, light is available at all hours, leading to a constant artificial environment.

The Health Impact

This has profoundly influenced our well-being. Our body’s circadian rhythms, which regulate essential functions like hormone secretion, are governed by light exposure. The blue light emitted from screens and LEDs particularly wreaks havoc on our bodies, with some researchers even dubbing it an endocrine disruptor. This isn’t just isolated—it mimics the effects of harsh chemicals found in many processed foods.

Research in the Environmental Research journal highlighted that exposure to blue light can elevate breast cancer rates among night workers and disrupt sleep in teenagers.

The Blue Light Dilemma

In previous discussions, I mentioned alarming studies suggesting chronic blue light exposure might trigger early puberty in rats. That’s concerning, especially since we’ve seen a decline in the age of puberty in developed nations, coinciding with increased screen time for children.

Large-scale studies hint that artificial light can have broader societal implications. For instance, a study linking nighttime light exposure to cognitive decline found a strong correlation between outdoor light pollution and Alzheimer’s prevalence, especially among those under 65.

How to Mitigate Exposure

So, what should you do? Generally, it’s a good idea to minimize artificial light and mimic the natural light cycle. Try to soak up some sunlight in the morning and gradually dim the lights as evening sets in. This signals to your body that it’s time to wind down. A cozy candlelit room is a nice touch too—far more relaxing than glaring overhead lights.

If you’re spending significant time in front of a screen, consider investing in blue light blocking glasses. There are stylish options out there. Alternatively, you can adjust the brightness settings on your devices or download apps designed to reduce blue light exposure. Windows also have a built-in “Night Light” feature that you can schedule.

Ultimately, sometimes the simplest solution is to turn off the screens completely. Imagine what a relief that must have been for our ancestors.