Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Exposure to Backlit Displays Reduces Melatonin Production

Posted by Unknown on from the hack-all-night dept.

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"

8 of 192 comments (clear)

  1. Sample size too small? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Surely 13 people is too few to draw meaningful conclusions?

    1. Re:Sample size too small? by cyclopropene · · Score: 5, Informative

      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.

      --
      Shouldn't you be doing something useful?
  2. N = 13? by schitso · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Should this even be considered relevant?

  3. I can attest... by suprcvic · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I've found that over the last year or so I've had trouble falling asleep and getting deep restful sleep. I started getting off the computer about an hour before I plan to go to bed, taking 3mg of Melatonin and reading a book. Now I'm getting the best sleep I've ever had. On that note, good night.

  4. Re:Explains a lot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Now we know why geeks are so pale.

    You're thinking of Melanin, not Melatonin.

  5. And this is different from TV how? by thesupraman · · Score: 5, Insightful

    In breaking news:

    "Researchers have discovered that relatively little exposure to television and other electronics with backlit displays can keep people up at night by messing with their circadian rhythms."

    "Researchers have discovered that relatively little exposure to home lighting can keep people up at night by messing with their circadian rhythms."

    And finally:

    "Researchers have discovered tha tspending too much time reading obvious 'scientific' reports can keep people up at night by messing with their circadian rhythms."

  6. Re:Explains a lot by TemperedAlchemist · · Score: 5, Informative

    That's melatonin not melanin. Melatonin regulated sleep.

  7. Pretty Obvious + Plug for Awesomeness by Wrath0fb0b · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I think all /.ers have known this since about age 15. I used to go into a phase where I'd be up every night later and later until I was going to sleep at 6AM and waking up at 2PM. Eventually I'd lose a day and "reset" to a normal time only to inch back later ...

    Anyway, here's a plug for the awesomesuace that is f.lux, which removes the blue hues from your monitor (since blue light is more associated with circadian rhythm than red) when it's supposed to be night. I am not associated with the makers of f.lux in any way except being a hopeless devotee and mentioning them to anyone within earshot that mentions difficult keeping a normal sleep cycle.