Last Updated on 3 years by Francis

Why is Red Light the Best Color For Sleep?

One of the reasons the red light is the best color for sleep is that it’s the most visible.

In your eyes it stands out like a sore thumb.

The second reason why red light is the best color for sleep is because it’s relaxing.

There are studies made on the red light or amber light which is more soothing as compared to white or blue light.

Table on Different Wavelengths	nm
White Light	390 to 700
Blue Light	450 to 495
Red Light	620 to 750
Amber Light	595

Blue Light Wavelength – The Worst Effects on Mood for Sleep

Blue light suppresses the melatonin levels which is not conducive to sleep.

The dangers of blue light treatments can be both short-lived and long term.

For example, as we have been told many times before, blue light can actually be dangerous, especially for those who are prone to seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.

Also, some studies have shown that blue light suppresses melatonin, which is a hormone that regulates our sleeping patterns and can also affect our mood.

So how does light therapy to help treat SAD?

First, it is important to understand that our melatonin production increases during the period of light exposure.

This means that if you suffer from SAD and sleeping, you should not use blue light therapy, but if you suffer from seasonal affective disorder, which is caused by a disruption in our natural melatonin production.

There are also some other symptoms that can be relieved with blue light therapy. It has been proven that it reduces asthma symptoms and may help people with chronic pain control, by relaxing their muscles.

However, please consult your doctor before beginning any treatment, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

White Light Has Bad Effects on Mood for Sleep

White light is a type of gentle stimulation that can be used for therapeutic effect in your bedroom.

It helps you relax, focus and minimize day-to-day stress and anxieties.

It also rejuvenates and energizes your mind and body and it is not meant to be used for sleeping instead its makes you wide awake when white light is turned on in your bedroom.

However, using white light therapy as a home remedy is not good for sleep since it suppresses melatonin production.

Red Light At Night – Could Depression Be Linked To It?

There have been recent studies in both humans and animals that show how these light at night changes the brain’s connections to certain emotional states.

The connection in red light at night between the amygdala, the largest organ in the brain, and depression are very clear.

The amygdala plays a very important role in emotion and memory and its dysfunctional state can lead to mood swings, irritability, and even panic attacks.

But does this change the actual state of the brain in these animals or does the amygdala remain in an emotional state that causes red light at night?

The research linking the amygdala to depression in humans is still ongoing, but we already have some preliminary evidence linking the amygdala to poor memory and poor decision making.

Another possible area of interest in the connection between red light at night and depression is the hippocampus, which is located in the brain’s center and is connected with memory, mood, fear and movement.

It also supplies the area associated with eye movement which is involved in facial expression and other emotions related to the eyes.

So there could be an emotional connection between light at night and depression and the inability to see in the dark.

While more evidence needs to be examined in both animals and humans more clearly, what we do know is that light at night affects the brains natural circadian rhythms that set the mood.

Are IPRGC Cells Most Sensitive to Blue wavelength Light?

For many years, researchers have been trying to answer the question of just how IPRG cells are so sensitive to blue wavelength light.

It has been speculated that since they are a form of photoreceptor, then the cells would be equally sensitive to all colors of light.

However, more recent studies have shown that in fact the cells only respond to the wavelength of blue light.

Why Does the Bright Blue Light in Our Computer And TV Affect Our Bodies Internal Clocks?

Does the bright blue light from your television or computer, cause our bodies to go haywire?

That’s a possibility, although it is most likely not the cause.

The real problem is that these lights don’t just stimulate us at random.

They have a specific effect on our brains.

For example, blue light can delay the onset of sleep, while red lights is better for sleeping moods.

But wait, isn’t the human eye responsible for our sleep/hormone balance? Not necessarily. If it did, then a bright light while we were sleeping could indeed mess with our bodies’ internal clocks.

Melatonin After Dark – How Excessive Light After Dark Hinders the Body’s Ability to Release Melatonin

Melatonin is produced by our bodies when we are sleeping and it is a hormone responsible for our bodies circadian rhythms and helps with our sleeping.

As our melatonin levels run low our sleep, mood and overall well being will suffer. One of the most common reasons our melatonin levels are reduced is due to our exposure to light after dark.

It has been studied that over sixty percent of adults over twenty years of age have a deficiency in melatonin, which makes them feel drowsy during the day and less energetic at night.

Lack of melatonin can affect the body’s ability to heal itself and stop disease.

Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland located in the center of the brain and it is responsible for the body’s natural circadian rhythms.

Our melatonin production declines during the time that we are sleeping and over a period of time this lack of melatonin can have serious health effects.

Overexposure to light and radiation after dark inhibits the body’s ability to release melatonin which leads to many health problems including insomnia, loss of weight, fatigue, depression, and poor memory and concentration.

Luckily melatonin can be produced by our body in small quantities and we can make sure we get enough melatonin by sleeping right at night, going to bed early and making sure to stay out of direct sunlight or fluorescent light.

Exposing our body to too much light before we go to bed or turn it on after we have gone to bed also depletes the melatonin levels in our body.

The best way to combat the problem of too much light after dark is to avoid overexposure to light and use low wattage bulbs instead of regular incandescent bulbs.

Also it is good to use light diffusers instead of ordinary lamps.

Can Red Light Therapy Decrease the Number of Headaches?

Red light therapy has been approved by both the state and federal government in different forms.

The next time you go into a doctor’s office asking about any type of therapy for your pain, ask them about the different ways in which they could reduce the number of headaches you are experiencing.

Red Light thereapy is a form of pain relief that are quick, convenient, and easy, but it does not address the root cause of the problem that is causing your headaches in the first place.

How Effective is Red Light Therapy For Sleep Disorders?

Patients who have undergone red light therapy have reported an improvement in their quality of sleep, reduced stress, and a reduction in their nightly discomfort.

The reason why patients feel a reduction in their stress levels after participating in this treatment is because it makes them more aware of their body and how it reacts to their thoughts and actions.

This awareness can help patients prevent situations that trigger their sleep disorders.

Total Darkness For Sleeping is Best For Sleeping