Physiological Impact Of Led Light

High-intensity LED lights have a spectrum that comes with a strong spike at the wavelength that most effectively suppresses melatonin at night time. Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, a small pinecone-shaped gland located near the center of the brain. Through melatonin release, the pineal gland maintains the internal clock regulating the natural rhythms of body function. Melatonin has several influences on physiological functions of human. This hormone promotes sleep, affects emotion, stimulates maturity and reproduction, and has an impact on the immune functions. Researches have discovered that the production and the secretion of melatonin are primarily affected by light - melatonin possesses a higher light sensitivity under the color lights with short wavelengths; on the other hand, melatonin has a lower light sensitivity under the color lights with long wavelengths. It is estimated that a phosphor-coated LED lamp is at least 5 times more potent in influencing circadian physiology than a high pressure sodium light based on melatonin suppression.