[BobbyP]

Maybe this has been addressed in the past, but has anyone heard about a study that has found that the new “green” LED lightbulbs are actually robbing our bodies of melatonin, and therefore causing more insomnia? Is this old news?? 🙁

[Martin Reed]

Are you referring to the color green, or the environmentally friendly green?

If it's the color:

A couple of years ago I wrote about research that found green light resets our internal body clocks, which can affect our sleep.

Here's the blog post: http://www.insomnialand.com/blog/green-light-may-be-influencing-your-insomnia/

Here's the original news report: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-05-13-sleep13_ST_N.htm

As for the environmentally friendly green – I would imagine LED lightbulbs affect sleep just as much as regular bulbs since they expose us to artificial light, thus affecting our body clocks. If this is the angle you meant, can you point me to the study – I'd be interesting in learning how the authors of the study found LED lightbulbs to me more damaging to sleep than regular lightbulbs or artificial light.

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If you are ready to stop struggling with insomnia you can enroll in the online insomnia coaching course right now! If you would prefer ongoing phone or video coaching calls as part of a powerful three month program that will help you reclaim your life from insomnia, consider applying for the Insomnia Mastery program.

The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.

[BobbyP]

Hi, Martin. I think this is the link to that article:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110912092554.htm

Thanks for looking into this!

[stillawake]

This is really interesting, I had no idea that LED lightbulbs did this, luckily I don't have any and can save myself the bother of trying them. I cannot use the low energy lightbulbs with the flourescent lights inside because I react badly to the flicker from the bulb. Before I realised that these low energy bulbs were actually flourescent lights, I had one in by bedroom and could not get to sleep at all. When the traditional bulbs no longer exist I think i will end up using candles!

[groggy]

Strangely, I can often sleep *better* when I leave a light on.

I think for me it's about tricking my brain – cos when I'm *meant* to sleep I can't…

But when something like a light being on signals “it's time to be awake” my brain starts “cheating” and sneaking in some sleep… which is better than no sleep at all…

I don't like having to resort to this trick, but as any true insomniac will know – if you are desperate, you will try any trick that works…

[Martin Reed]

I just wrote a post on the blog about red light – it could well become the darling of the light spectrum for insomniacs!

http://www.insomnialand.com/blog/the-lightbulb-that-could-end-up-curing-your-insomnia/

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If you are ready to stop struggling with insomnia you can enroll in the online insomnia coaching course right now! If you would prefer ongoing phone or video coaching calls as part of a powerful three month program that will help you reclaim your life from insomnia, consider applying for the Insomnia Mastery program.

The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.

[rusty rake]

I might try this. I work shifts so if its good enough for astronauts surely it is good enough for me!

[lily]

How about a lightbulb that we flick and it sets us right off to sleep? I think that would be a much better investment!

[Author]

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