A large-scale study involving 87,000 participants found that while excessive night-time light exposure increases the risk of mental illness, increasing daytime light can reduce these risks. This groundbreaking study highlights the importance of balancing light exposure for mental health and suggests simple lifestyle adjustments for better health.
Exposure to artificial light at night increases the risk of developing mental illnesses such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.PTSD), with a tendency toward self-harm.
The world’s largest study of the effects of light exposure on mental health, involving nearly 87,000 people, found that increased exposure to light at night increases the risk of mental health conditions such as anxiety, bipolar disorder and PTSD. Not only that, but it has also been shown that the possibility of self-injury increases. harm. Importantly, the study also found that enhancing exposure to natural light during the day may serve as a non-drug approach to reducing the risk of psychosis.
Day and night light exposure: a balancing act
People exposed to high amounts of light at night had a 30 percent increased risk of depression, while those exposed to high amounts of light during the day had a 20 percent decreased risk of depression. A similar pattern of results was found for self-harm, psychosis, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD. These findings demonstrate that the simple practice of avoiding light at night and seeking brighter light during the day may be an effective non-pharmacological means of alleviating serious mental health problems. is showing.
The study, led by Associate Professor Sean Kane from the Monash School of Psychological Sciences and the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health in Melbourne, Australia, was published today in the journal Nature Mental Health.
“Our findings have potentially significant societal impact,” said Associate Professor Kane.
“If people understand that light exposure patterns have a huge impact on their mental health, they can take some simple steps to optimize their health. Let in bright light during the day. , it is important to get darkness at night.”
The study’s 86,772 participants, all from UK Biobank, were tested for light exposure, sleep, physical activity and mental health. Associate Professor Kane said the effects of night-time light exposure were independent of demographics, physical activity, season and employment.
“And our findings were consistent when considering shift work, sleep, urban versus rural living, and cardiometabolic health,” he said.
Challenging human biology with modern lighting
Modern, industrialized humanity has literally turned our biological systems upside down. According to Associate Professor Cain, our brains have evolved to function best in bright light during the day and little to no light at night.
“Humans today are challenging this biology, spending about 90% of their days under indoor electric lights that are too dim during the day and too bright at night compared to the natural light-dark cycle. It confuses our bodies and makes us feel sick,” he said.
Reference: “Day and night light exposure is associated with mental illness: an objective light study of over 85,000 people” Angus C. Burns, Daniel P. Windred, Martin K. Rutter, Patrick Olivier, Celine Vetter, Richa Saxena, Jacqueline M Lane, Andrew JK Phillips, Sean W. Kane, October 9, 2023; natural mental health.
DOI: 10.1038/s44220-023-00135-8
Source: scitechdaily.com
