Karthik Venuturimilli

Effect

Started May 19, 2023

Abstract or project description

Though humans spend an increasingly large amount of time in front of screens, little research has been conducted focusing on the effects of artificial light on circadian rhythm and sleep. It has been proposed that artificial light has a different effect on neurobiology than natural light and we see that this type of light especially affects the circadian clock. The central pacemaker in the brain, known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is located in the hypothalamus and controls various essential biological processes. It is thought that different wavelengths of light differentially impact SCN activity to drive changes in circadian rhythms. Alterations to circadian rhythms can have a profound impact on sleep and mood, thus understanding how artificial light impacts SCN function is critical for determining the psychological and biological consequences of artificial light exposure. This paper reviews the effects that artificial light has on the brain, and breaks down the biological and physiological processes that control sleep and mood.