Why early bright light exposure is key for melatonin production at night | Dr. Satchin Panda

Bright light exposure has a profound effect on regulating the circadian system in humans. Dr. Panda and colleagues discovered that melanopsin — a light-sensitive protein found in specialized cells of the eye — responds to blue light and synchronizes the body's day/night cycle. Melanopsin-containing cells detect blue light from the sun but also from electronic devices. In response to the amount of blue light, melanopsin signals the brain to produce or repress melatonin production, a hormone that induces sleep. Therefore, dimming lights and avoiding devices in the evening allows melatonin to rise naturally. Conversely, morning bright light exposure suppresses already-declining melatonin levels, improving alertness and resetting the circadian clock. In this clip, Dr. Satchin Panda explains how light exposure affects the circadian clock and how dimming lights and avoiding devices in the evening allows melatonin to rise naturally.

Original episode published on July 6, 2021
#lightexposure #CircadianRhythm #melatonin

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[davidivers]

I had the same idea of not wearing my sunglasses in the am unless I'm skiing, etc. and my sleep is better. Thanks!

[SonGoku_dk]

Sitting beside the window is gud idea but if the windows are not open then it will block near infrared and infrared which is vital and consists of 50% of sunlight spectrum...

[shelley_nw]

How do windows and all the uv filtering figure into all this? He says sit by windows but those now all heavily filter out uv purples and blues. We kinda understand overuse of sunglasses, but windows are confusing now. He seems to counter the ideas that you have to open windows or go outside. Then nearly everyone over 50 is being treated with to the same filtering from iol lenses. Are windows and iol's NOT a problem?

[tritone]

What if I take vitamin D in the AM, and also, turn the lights on in my apartment?

[iamrichlol]

Why is there 10-20 times less uv light inside of the car? Is it because of the glass in cars being somehow uv protective?

[SharpCats]

Notifications for this page are turned off for content for children came up when I tried to click get all notifications. Should have this changed you would get more views.😻🥰🤗

[lloydtorres]

Does steam sauna cause prostrate cancer?

[matthewyates]

Do you have to look towards the sun in the morning or can you just be outside for the light exposure to your eyes ?