If you're like most people, you use your smartphone in the hours before bed. It seems completely safe and regular to just check in on friends one more time, play a round of Candy Crush, and look at the weather for tomorrow. However, the research is growing along with smartphone use, and it does not bode well for our health.
Although cell phone radiation is a prevalent issue that many people discuss, it is not the only one about which we should be concerned. Smartphone "blue light" has been connected to some very serious health problems.
“Blue light is part of the full light spectrum, which means we’re exposed to it by the sun every day. However, nighttime exposure to that light, which is emitted at high levels by smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other LED screens, may be damaging your vision. It also suppresses production of the hormone melatonin, which throws off your body’s natural sleep cues.” (source)
Night time smartphone use has been linked to the following 3 problems!
1. Eye Damage
“Blue light” exposure at night has been shown to cause damage to the retina and macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is the loss of central vision or the ability to see what is right in front of you.
Cataract development may also be linked to blue light exposure. One doctor has come across 35-year-olds with cloudy, cataract-affected eyes similar to 75-year-olds. The doctor believes smartphone use is the root of the problem, but more research needs to be done. (source)
2. Sleep Loss
As we mentioned above, “blue light” disrupts melatonin production. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the body’s sleeping cycle. Without a properly regulated sleep cycle, you cannot get enough of the sleep you need. Lack of sleep or skewed sleeping cycles are associated with a whole bunch of health issues
These include:
- Heart Disease and Other Cardiovascular Problems
- Slower Response Time
- Lack of Memory Recall
- Depression
- Aged Skin
- Weight Gain
3. Higher Risk of Cancer
Increased light at night and resulting sleep problems have been linked to a higher rate of cancer. This is especially true for breast and prostate cancer. Melatonin, suppressed by “blue light,” is also an antioxidant and has been shown to be essential in the body’s natural fight against cancer. (source)
Basically, melatonin helps the body fight cancer and “blue light” decreases this production. A one-time disruption would not be a serious issue, but there are some people who use their phones for hours at night before going to bed. They do this everyday of the year. Overtime, this begins to add up and create the problems listed above.