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natural light

·April 15, 2025·2 min read

Natural Light Before Waking Boosts Morning Alertness

A new study highlights how controlled exposure to natural light before waking can improve morning alertness and reduce sleepiness. Researchers tested three lighting conditions using light-shielding curtains and sensors to determine the effects of early morning light on 19 participants.

This shows a woman standing in the sunnshine

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 7, 2022·5 min read

Brain Pathway That Helps to Explain Light’s Effect on Mood Discovered

Neuroimaging study reveals how light-sensitive signals reach the brain and how regions associated with mood process those signals. Some regions of the cerebral cortex associated with cognitive and mood processing show sensitivity to light intensity.

This shows a man sitting on a beach with his dog

Featured Neuroscience

·October 12, 2021·4 min read

Natural Light May Be Key to Improving Mood and Reducing Insomnia

More time spent outside in natural light was associated with improved mood, better sleep quality, and ease of waking.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 17, 2019·5 min read

Daily exposure to blue light may accelerate aging, even if it doesn’t reach your eyes

Fruit flies exposed to blue light had significantly reduced longevity than those exposed to natural light or kept in darkness. Exposure to blue light for 12 hours a day accelerated aging phenotypes, causing retinal damage, neurodegeneration, and impaired locomotion.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·September 27, 2018·4 min read

Postnatal Depression Could be Linked to Fewer Daylight Hours During Late Pregnancy

A new study reports women who are in their third trimester of pregnancy during months with less day light are at an increased risk of developing postnatal depression.