Blocking Blue Wavelengths of Light at night

I always knew that looking at computer/TV and other screens right before bed hinders your ability to fall asleep at night. People say to read for a half-hour before going to sleep.
I don't want to/or have time to read :P

Recently, in a lecture by a sleep deprivation PhD, I was made aware that this state alertness was due to the repression of melatonin secretion in the presence of blue light. He also mentioned a pair of glasses from https://www.lowbluelights.com/index.asp? will filter out blue light.

This is fantastic! A way to increase melatonin secretion naturally. However, I looked at the prices on that website, and I was a little dissapointed. After some Googling, I found this website http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/LightDark.htm which pointed to this pair of tinted glasses http://www.uvex.us/products.aspx#/product=694&folder=98 (choose color SCT Orange).

I would like for confirmation that the glasses from UVEX would be (almost) equally effective as the ones from lowbluelights. I have know way of knowing even after acquiring a pair as I have no means of testing. I would, reluctantly, shell out the cash for the lowbluelights glasses if I need to. Can anyone confirm that the UVEX glasses would work?

(For those who didn't know about blue light, now you do (sort of) :). Also, read about waking up to bright blue LEDs if it is dark when you wake up)

Thanks.

Dunno but I just take Melatonin before I go to sleep each night. :P

Yeah, melatonin is really fairly cheap, and I'm sure that a single pill is far more effective than a pair of modified sunglasses. I'd say the glasses are more likely than not a swindle. You'd really be better off spending the money on melatonin pills...

Cheap? Where are you getting your Melatonin? I was actually surprised that it was kinda pricey. I use the time release variety, 5mg that I get at Walgreens. It was like $10 or something.

edit: WOW just checked Walgreens site for pricing and I see they are on sale for $4.99, that's awesome. :) I'm stocking up.
http://www.walgreens.com/store/catal...n=push-product

Also sorry to OP for threadjacking.

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Originally Posted by Mario92

Yeah, melatonin is really fairly cheap, and I'm sure that a single pill is far more effective than a pair of modified sunglasses. I'd say the glasses are more likely than not a swindle. You'd really be better off spending the money on melatonin pills...

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Well, he did also mention that taking a supplement is no where near as efficient as secreting your own hormones (he did not specify melatonin, but I'm assuming this is included). This guy seemed to know what he was talking about -- and backed everything up with data, so I believe him.
Also, I'm not that big into taking... well anything (I don't even take tylenol if I have a headache).

Basically, I'd rather have my body naturally produce melatonin.

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Originally Posted by Aquanina

Also sorry to OP for threadjacking.

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It's all good :cool:

Oh I have no doubt that doing things naturally is way more effective and healthier but there is no way I'm going to go to sleep with some glasses on my face. How do you people sleep with stuff like glasses and headphones on lol? I can't fathom it.

edit: er wait, are the glasses for daytime wear?

You are so right though about the blue light. I used to fall asleep with the TV on because I was afraid of the dark, but I always hated the light. I felt like I was constantly getting radiated on with some horrible light frequency that never allowed me restful sleep. It's interesting to see that there is some actual evidence behind this, so thanks for that. :)

Uhh. Blue lights are the only ones in my room...

:(


$5-$10 for 100 nights is not bad at all.

Thanks for the info on blue lights. I don't take supplements or hormones or have excessive blue light effects within 1 1/2 hours of going to sleep (is that a good timeframe? It's how I've always done it), but this gives me some insight into my excessive computer use. Thanks again, sorry I couldn't comment on the glasses!

I once commented on this blue LED light my stepbrother had, saying I thought it looked cool. It was a sort of Plastic art piece with very a very bright light illuminating it. He said "I don't know why, but I really don't like it. You can have it". After about a week or so of having it on at night, I developed awful eye blurring and strain and terrible headaches during the day. I also had trouble sleeping. I finally made the connection to this stupid light in my room and after doing research confirmed that was the problem. I read that pilots often cover up blue LEDs on their airplane panels with tape because they're so distracting they can't focus on anything else. Stay away from these lights and for the love of God don't keep them in your room!

Oh, and the reason the color blue decreases melatonin instantly in your body is because mammals have evolved mostly sleeping outside, and our body's response to the color blue from the sky in the morning wakes us up!

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Originally Posted by cky464

I read that pilots often cover up blue LEDs on their airplane panels with tape because they're so distracting they can't focus on anything else. Stay away from these lights and for the love of God don't keep them in your room!

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Wow! My computer's touchpad buttons for volume and power are blue lights, rather bright ones at that, which I often use before going to bed. I also have a stereo that, when turned off, has a dimly lit blue light that lights up my ceiling a little while I sleep. I'll see if it's having an effect on my sleeping. Thanks for the tip!

I normally use the computer almost right up to going to bed, and have for decades. I tried a few times recently not using any electronic device for an hour or two before bed and found it was *harder* to go to sleep. Reading on the computer is probably like reading for me, relaxing. (Reading a book also makes me sleepy.) Much, much more important for me in getting to sleep and getting back to sleep is diet (including what I eat at what time) and getting regular exercise and keeping a regular sleep schedule. I bought some melatonin (where I live it's quite expensive, $10 for 12 3mg tablets!!!) as a backup for times I really wanted to get back to sleep but couldn't, but I haven't needed it yet. Kind of like a reverse placebo -- I know it's handy so I don't stress about getting back to sleep :).

I use blue light filters on my phone and Ipad, they work great and I feel better when using my devices in bed. I got my filters at http://www.sleepshield.com

Please don't necropost. Necroposting is posting in few years old threads that haven't been active, especially if OP hasn't been active as well. In those cases it's better to create new thread.;

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