If you are like most people, you spend some time at night using your smartphone before bed. Just a final check-up on how friends are doing, a game of Candy Crush, and a quick look at tomorrow’s weather seems perfectly safe and normal. However, as smartphone use increases, so does the research, and it is not looking good for our bodies.
Cell phone radiation is a common problem that many people talk about, but it isn’t the only thing we should be worried about. The “blue light” that smartphones produce has been linked to some pretty serious health issues.
“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)
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)
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. To learn more about how smartphone use affects the body, take a look at this amazing infographic from Tech Insider.
