Chronobiology international

How different light colors affect melatonin reduction and timing shifts

Circadian Biology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated

Abstract

The shorter wavelengths of light (470, 497, and 525 nm) induced 65% to 81% melatonin suppression.

  • Different wavelengths of light were examined for their effects on melatonin suppression and the timing of melatonin release in saliva.
  • Shorter wavelengths (blue and green) were associated with the highest levels of melatonin suppression compared to longer wavelengths.
  • Melatonin suppression was significantly greater on night 1 than in the no light control condition.
  • Shorter wavelengths also resulted in a delay of melatonin onset by 27 to 36 minutes on night 2.
  • Findings suggest that a specific light-sensitive mechanism may play a role in regulating circadian timing.

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