Exposure to Backlit Displays Reduces Melatonin Production

alphadogg writes "Researchers have discovered that relatively little exposure to tablets and other electronics with backlit displays can keep people up at night by messing with their circadian rhythms. The study from the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute showed that a 2-hour exposure to electronic devices with such displays causes suppression of the melatonin hormone and could make it especially tough for teens to fall asleep. The study, funded by Sharp Laboratories of America, simulated usage of such devices among 13 people using special glasses/goggles and light meters"

Comments

Re:Explains a lot

[Anonymous Coward]

Now we know why geeks are so pale.

You're thinking of Melanin, not Melatonin.

Re:Explains a lot

[TemperedAlchemist]

That's melatonin not melanin. Melatonin regulated sleep.

Re:Pretty Obvious + Plug for Awesomeness

[ad1217]

I would also say that F.lux (or Redshift for Linux, which works about the same, but is less buggy) is extremely helpful, though I use it because the red tint does not hurt my eyes as much.

Re:Sample size too small?

[cyclopropene]

Surely 13 people is too few to draw meaningful conclusions?

Yes. Especially if not compared to people reading a book under a 60 watt incandescent light bulb.

Re:Pretty Obvious + Plug for Awesomeness

[Trogre]

This.

Not that I use f.lux, but the GPL'd Redshift on my laptop. When switching it on, it feels like my eyes breathe a sigh of relief - it really is much easier to read off a red-orange-tinted surface at night.

Now if only they'd port it to Android.