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Light Exposure and Mortality: What You Need to Know

Michael Hunter, MD
BeingWell
Published in
4 min readNov 7, 2024

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I sometimes wonder how the glow of my phone screen at night impacts my health.

A growing body of literature suggests that there may be a hidden danger in late-night scrolling.

A new PNAS study has unveiled a startling connection between nighttime light exposure and early mortality risk.

Could my modern, illuminated life be shortening my lifespan?

In this short essay, I’ll explore whether spending your days in dim light and your nights in bright light could be bad for your health, even shortening your life.

Circadian Rhythm

Our bodies operate on a 24-hour internal clock known as the circadian rhythm. This intricate system regulates everything from sleep-wake cycles and hormone release to metabolism and cell regeneration.

However, our modern lifestyle often throws this delicate balance off kilter.

Photo by DCL "650" on Unsplash

Exposure to artificial light at night, especially from screens and indoor lighting, can disrupt our circadian rhythms, leading to negative health consequences.

Negative Health…

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BeingWell
BeingWell

Published in BeingWell

A Medika Life Publication for the Medical Community

Michael Hunter, MD
Michael Hunter, MD

Written by Michael Hunter, MD

I have degrees from Harvard, Yale, and Penn. I am a radiation oncologist in the Seattle area. You may find me regularly posting at www.newcancerinfo.com