Journal of experimental zoology. Part A, Ecological and integrative physiologyJun 6, 2018

How artificial light at night affects sleep: A review and future outlook

Circadian Biology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Mar 22, 2026

Abstract

Artificial light at night (ALAN) may significantly affect sleep patterns in nocturnal animals.

Natural light and darkness cycles regulate animal behavior and physiology.
ALAN is a form of pollution that disrupts these natural cycles.
The sleep-wake cycle is particularly vulnerable to disruption by ALAN.
There is emerging evidence indicating that ALAN could impact sleep in both humans and wildlife.
Several critical questions regarding the effects of ALAN on sleep remain unanswered.

Simplified

Natural cycles of light and darkness govern the timing of most aspects of animal behavior and physiology. Artificial light at night (ALAN)-a recent and pervasive form of pollution-can mask natural photoperiodic cues and interfere with biological rhythms. One such rhythm vulnerable to perturbation is the sleep-wake cycle. ALAN may greatly influence sleep in humans and wildlife, particularly in animals that sleep predominantly at night. There has been some recent evidence for impacts of ALAN on sleep, but critical questions remain. Some of these can be addressed by adopting approaches already entrenched in sleep research. In this paper, we review the current evidence for impacts of ALAN on sleep, highlight gaps in our understanding, and suggest opportunities for future research.

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How artificial light at night affects sleep: A review and future outlook

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