Research Supports Customized Lighting Solutions to Reduce the Negative Impact of Light on Sleep

November 3, 2017

A study conducted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, shows that selectively reducing the amount of short-wavelength (blue) light emitted by a light reduced the alerting effects of typical indoor bedroom intensities before bed. The study was conducted with lighting technology provided by Rhode Island-based Lighting Science, makers of the GoodNight and Sleepy Baby pre-sleep consumer LEDs.

“Lighting solutions being used as tools to positively impact health — on both an individual and global scale — are the future. This much is clear,” says Fred Maxik, Chief Technology Officer and founder of Lighting Science. “The pursuit of scientific innovation inspires the design of our products and has for over a decade, so we are encouraged that the industry at large has begun to take notice, both for everyday consumers and for public infrastructure, like hospitals and schools, all the way to the International Space Station.”

According to the study, the C-LED light designed by Lighting Science Group had multiple benefits compared to typical fluorescent light, including attenuating the suppression of the darkness hormone melatonin, slowing reaction times, and reducing alertness as measured by brain activity patterns.

The C-LED specifically targeted reduction in only the narrow range of blue light that corresponds to the peak response melanopsin (~470-500nm), the photoreceptor that primarily mediates circadian responses to light, rather than a general reduction in all blue light. Such selective blocking is critical for visual function when designing light systems as the color distortion caused by completely filtering all short wavelengths may render the lighting impractical.

Steven Lockley, PhD, a researcher in the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, led the study along with Shadab Rahman, PhD and Melissa St. Hilaire, PhD, also researchers in the Division. “The study shows that designing lighting to selectively inhibit the right wavelengths can substantially reduce the circadian disruption caused by exposure to light before bed,” says Lockley.

This article was adapted from a blog post by Kate Kaminsky; https://blog.lsgc.com/new-research-supports-customized-lighting-reduce-negative-impact-light-sleep/

* Rahman SA, St Hilaire MA, Lockley SW. The effects of spectral tuning of evening ambient light on melatonin suppression, alertness and sleep. Physiology & Behavior, 2017; 177: 221-229.

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE is pleased to announce the appointment of Sterling Architectural Products Ltd. (Sterling Lights) as their new specification agent in Ontario. This partnership strengthens LEDVANCE’s presence in the region and reinforces their commitment to serving the professional lighting design and specification community with innovative, reliable lighting solutions. With decades of experience and a service-driven mindset,… Read More…

  • May 29, 2025 - Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka is pleased to announce that its Velia, Cirra, and Junction luminaires have each received a 2025 Red Dot Design Award for Product Design. It is the 11th consecutive year that Eureka products have been honored with this prestigious award, which is a testament to the company’s consistency and relentless drive to design exceptional luminaires.… Read More…


Design

  • What is Human Centric Lighting: Benefits & Applications

    What is Human Centric Lighting: Benefits & Applications

    Human centric lighting (HCL) is a kind of illuminated way based on human physical and psychological needs. Its core goal is to imitate the changes in natural light to support the body’s circadian rhythm, improve visual comfort, and enhance mood. The key element of human centric lighting contains dynamic ​color temperature adjustment, adjustable brightness, spectrum… Read More…

  • Mac’s II Agencies: Case Study – Tesoro, Vancouver, BC

    Mac’s II Agencies: Case Study – Tesoro, Vancouver, BC

    At the crest of False Creek, Tesoro stands as a contemporary interpretation of classic luxury, offering 92 exclusive waterfront homes in the heart of Vancouver. Developed by Concert Properties, this 17-story residential tower embraces a distinctly modern character, harmonizing sleek design with timeless sophistication. The vision for Tesoro extended beyond its architectural presence—it was about… Read More…


New Products

  • GVA Lighting: PIXEL GEN2 COLOR CHANGING

    GVA Lighting: PIXEL GEN2 COLOR CHANGING

    PIXEL GEN2 is the second generation of the direct-view PIXEL series, designed for dynamic color effects, low-resolution image displays, and media façades. Built on the award-winning COLOR-STREAM platform, it delivers 16X faster communication than DMX, ensuring ultra-smooth dimming and real-time responsiveness. With INFINITY technology, PIXEL GEN2 supports lighting circuits of up to 1,565 PIXELs, providing… Read More…

  • Cyclone Lighting Introduces New Taji Luminaire

    Cyclone Lighting Introduces New Taji Luminaire

    Cyclone Lighting is excited to announce the release of its new Taji luminaire. Taji’s captivating design features high-performance optics and enhances a variety of aesthetics. Taji’s distinctive, stylish silhouette and slender lines are a refreshing departure from the ubiquitous dome luminaire. The unique flared form maintains a slender, minimalist feel yet provides high-performance optics. The… Read More…