In today's world, our exposure to artificial light and EMFs has become a serious worry. Any source of light that is not sunlight or another natural source is considered artificial light. This includes the light emitted by lights, lightbulbs, and electronic equipment like laptops, tablets, and smartphones. EMFs, or electromagnetic fields, on the other hand, are a type of energy that is released by electrical power lines and electronic equipment. Native EMFs, which are produced naturally, as well as non-native EMFs (nnEMFs), which are produced artificially, are included.

We are exposed to higher amounts of artificial light and EMFs than ever before as we spend more time indoors and rely more heavily on technology. It’s important to understand the consequences of different types of radiation on our health and how to protect ourselves from them.

Differences between artificial light and natural sunlight

We need to understand the distinctions between artificial light and natural sunshine and how they affect our health as we spend more time indoors and rely more heavily on technology. One of the most noticeable distinctions is the light spectrum. At all times of day, natural light (the sun!) has a perfect balance of all the hues of the rainbow that is perfectly programmed for our bodies. Artificial light sources, on the other hand, such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), incandescent light, and LEDs, frequently emit a distinct spectrum of light, mainly blue light. This can throw off our bodies' normal cycles and harm our health.

Another distinction is the strength and duration of the light. Artificial light is typically much brighter than natural sunshine. As I mentioned before, this can strain our eyes, alter our sleep habits, and profoundly affect our immune system. Furthermore, non-native EMFs can harm human health, causing cancer and other ailments, as well as sleep difficulties.

Natural sunlight is the optimal form of light for growing anything, as it provides all the hues necessary for the survival of plants and animals. It is also readily available and free, making it a valuable resource for those looking to grow their own plants. While artificial light offers greater flexibility in terms of location and availability, it does not match the potency and benefits of natural light. As we consider the impact of light on our surroundings, it is important to acknowledge that natural light should always be the preferred choice for growing, as it supports the natural cycle of plants and animals and does not disrupt our own circadian rhythm and melatonin production

Health Concerns

Constant exposure to artificial light and EMFs has been related to a number of health issues. These consequences can vary from disturbances in our circadian biology and sleeping habits to more significant health concerns such as an increased risk of certain malignancies.

• Circadian rhythm disruption: One of the biggest concerns about artificial light and nnEMFs is their tendency to disturb our circadian rhythm (link to previous post). Constant exposure to artificial light and EMFs can throw off our internal body clock, making it harder to fall and remain asleep. This can result in a host of metabolic and health issues, not to mention chronic sleep problems and exhaustion.

• Melatonin production effects: Melatonin is a master circadian hormone that governs our sleep-wake cycle and is essential for our general health and well-being. Exposure to artificial light and EMFs reduces melatonin synthesis, resulting in sleeplessness, sadness, and other health problems.

• Increased risk of some cancers: Research has shown that exposure to artificial light and EMFs can raise our chance of developing certain cancers, such as breast and prostate cancer. This is assumed to be linked to melatonin suppression, which can interfere with our bodies' natural cancer-fighting processes.

• Effects on sleep: Constant exposure to artificial light and EMFs can alter our sleep cycles, resulting in persistent sleep problems and exhaustion. As sleep is vital for sustaining our mental and physical health, this can have a negative impact on our general health and well-being.

• Effects on eye health: Constant exposure to artificial light may also be harmful to our eyes. Dry eyes, eye strain, and an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration are all possibilities.

To safeguard our health and well-being, we must take precautions to limit our exposure to artificial light and EMFs.

Safeguarding from Artificial Light and EMFs

As our exposure to artificial light and non-native EMFs continues to grow, it is crucial for us to take measures to protect ourselves from the negative effects of these types of radiation. Here are some practical tips to help improve our health and reduce your exposure to non-native EMFs:

#1. Limit device usage

Minimize the use of electronic gadgets such as microwaves, computers, smartphones, and other sources of nnEMFs to reduce exposure to harmful radiation.

#2. Reduce exposure to electricity

Use filters to clean up the electrical signals in your home, reduce your use of electrical appliances and devices, and unplug them when not in use.

#3. Create an electronic-free sleeping environment

Sleep in a room without electrical devices like televisions and computers to reduce exposure to nnEMFs.

#4. Use wired connections

Opt for a wired internet connection instead of a wireless connection to minimize exposure to nnEMFs.

#5. Keep devices away from your body

When using electronic devices, keep them at a safe distance from your body to reduce exposure to harmful radiation.

#6. Use EMF-blocking equipment

Invest in EMF-blocking shields and equipment, such as EMF-blocking bed canopies, to reduce exposure to nnEMFs while sleeping.

#7. Choose devices that use less power

Select electronic devices that are low-powered, which emit less nnEMF radiation.

#8. Choose the healthiest light bulbs

Switch to light bulbs that produce less artificial light and fewer blue light emissions, which can impact sleep and circadian rhythms.

By taking these simple steps, you can improve your health and reduce your exposure to harmful nnEMFs. (see Resources for recommended products)

To Wrap it Up

Artificial light and nnEMFs are becoming a more common part of our daily, modern life. We need to understand the impact of artificial light and nnEMFs on our health and take precautions as we spend more time indoors and rely more heavily on technology. We have emphasized some of the key distinctions between artificial light and natural sunshine, such as light spectrum, intensity, and duration. We've also spoken about the harmful impacts of artificial light and nnEMFs on our health, as well as the many sources of these types of radiation.

We also went through some practical measures for protecting our bodies from the harmful impacts of artificial light and nnEMFs. Limiting our usage of electronic gadgets, employing physical internet connections rather than wireless ones, and keeping our devices away from our bodies while using them are all examples. We may also employ EMF-blocking glasses and shielding devices, and sleep in a room free of electronic devices (we get the most bang from our buck doing this one strategy alone!)

We must be aware of the sources of artificial light and nnEMFs in our surroundings and take precautions to reduce our exposure to them. We may protect ourselves against the bad effects of various types of radiation and enhance our general health and well-being by adopting basic measures.

References

The Impact of Artificial Light and Non-Native EMFs on Health