For the past century or so, we've been performing an open-ended experiment on ourselves, extending the day, shortening the night, and short-circuiting the human body's sensitive response to light. The consequences of our bright new world are more readily perceptible in less adaptable creatures living in the peripheral glow of our prosperity. But for humans, too, light pollution may take a biological toll.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Light Pollution
This month's National Geographic instructs about the dangers we have created by ridding ourselves of the night. The planet is pretty used to being swathed in darkness for about half the day, and our little discovery of electricity and the incandescent light bulb has weirded out a lot of the critters. And, of course, there are some great photos.
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When I was in massage school I had to do a presentation on the pineal gland. The pineal gland has,historically, been linked to higher consciousness (The Third Eye). Scientists believe it to be a precursor to the eye. It is light sensitive, and its function is to produce melatonin (which is one of the key components in serotonin production).
ReplyDeleteThe idea was that when the sun was setting, the limited light would tell the pineal gland to start making melatonin. It makes us drowsy and allows us to fall asleep easier. While we sleep it maintains the body's circadian rhythms.
Ever since, I've always thought there to be a direct correlation between artificial lighting and depression, mania, and sleep deficiency.
I am beginning to appreciate the fact that society must move forward. It would be nice to imagine that our technology in the future helps to compensate for these discrepancies. Perhaps lighting in homes could be set on timers that dim lights according to sunset. Something like that....