Write your store's popup content
The principle behind red light
The history of red light and sleep is still young, but it is already supported by several scientific articles, clinical reviews, and NASA research on circadian rhythm regulation, as well as user testimonials from around the world. In fact, all of this points in the same direction: red light has a real and measurable effect on relaxation and sleep quality, given it's at a specific intensity.
The brief history of the scientific studies on red light and sleep
-
2002: Discovery of ipRGCs
Berson and Hattar published 2 complementary papers which describe the presence and the functioning of intrinsically photoreceptive retinal ganglion cells: ipRGCs which contain the photoreceptor pigment called melanopsin: thus explaining how light can influence the circadian rhythms.
-
2012: Red light therapy supporting melatonin
In 2012, a study was conducted to determine the effect of red light on sleep quality and endurance performance of elite basketball players. The study confirmed that exposure to red light improved sleep quality, serum melatonin level and endurance performance while offering a nonpharmacologic and noninvasive solution to prevent sleep disorders after training.
-
2017: Intensity is key
A study shows that as little at 10 lx of red light at a narrow bandwidth can induce potent NREM and REM sleep in mice, which share the same ipRGCs as humans.
-
2018: Red light to facilitate sleep onset
Discovery that exposure to red light at night has a nightcap effect.
-
2019: Red light's benefits upon waking
Discovery that exposure to red light at night has benefits by curbing the feeling of grogginess upon waking, a term coined by the author: sleep inertia.
-
2024: Red light induces sleep
The most recent study is from Strasbourg University, where it is demonstrated on mice, which share the same ipRGCs as humans, that red light induces sleep.
Inspired by NASA's research
Since the 1960's NASA has been pondering the question of how to help astronauts cope with the lack of the natural 24h day / nigh cycle they are devoid of while in space. The work of Dr. Charles Czeisler (Harvard Medical School/NASA) has shown that modulating light helps astronauts regulate their circadian rhythm.
Aboard the International Space Station, engineers implemented a modulating lighting system. Sleep specialists discovered that when these receptors (eyes) are exposed to a certain wavelength of blue light—the light of the sky, in fact—we feel more awake because the brain suppresses melatonin, a key hormone in regulating sleep. Conversely, light in the red spectrum allows melatonin to circulate naturally.
This inspired our team to further investigate the relationship between red light and sleep, ultimately leading to the development of Helight Sleep®.
Sources:
- NASA - LEDs Illuminate Bulbs for Better Sleep, Wake Cycles (2015)
- NASA - Light Research Aids Slumber (2019)
- Scientific American – Casting Light on Astronaut Insomnia (2012)
- Harvard Medicine - Blues Cues Researchers cast a little light on the subject of sleep (2012)
- SPACE.COM - Space Station to Get New Insomnia-Fighting Light Bulbs (2012)
- The development of lighting countermeasures for sleep disruption and circadian misalignment during spaceflight (2016)
