Visible light
Visible light has been studied in 5 papers since 2018: none in people yet, 3 in animals, 2 reviews; 1 in the past year. The research so far is in animals.
5 papers study it7 findingsUpdated
See all 4 papers on visible light
At a glance
The findings reach worms or flies, none yet in people; independent labs found the same change in worms or flies. 3 independent labs in 3 countries.
None of its findings points the other way.
- 3 independent labs in 3 countries
- Funders: American Federation for Aging Research and others
- Model organisms3
What did studies of visible light find?
6Studies of visible light measured 6 outcomes; the most studied are lifespan (2 studies), sleep time (1) and evening anticipation index (1).
Lifespan
downin flies1downin worms1
2 studies
Lifespan
downin flies1downin worms1
Visible light shortens lifespan in flies (Effect depended on dietary protein content).
“visible light could be toxic to Drosophila survival, depending on the protein content in diet.”
Model organismsEffect depended on dietary protein contentboth sexess
Toxic Effect of Visible Light on Drosophila Life Span Depending on Diet Protein Content
The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences
Visible light shortens lifespan in worms.
“C. elegans lifespan is inversely correlated to the time worms were exposed to visible light.”
Model organismslow-intensity
Visible light reduces C. elegans longevity
Nature communications
Sleep time
no changein flies1
1 study
Sleep time
no changein flies1
Visible light showed no clear effect on sleep time in flies.
“while there is no effect of colored light on the waking time, daily active time, and sleep time.”
Model organisms
Biology open
Evening anticipation index
upin flies1
1 study
Evening anticipation index
upin flies1
Visible light increases evening anticipation index in flies under blue and green light.
“Significant increase in the evening anticipation index of flies under blue and green light alongside increased and decreased sleep depth during the day and night respectively suggests the light avoidance”
Model organismsunder blue and green light
Biology open
Locomotor activity
downin flies1
1 study
Locomotor activity
downin flies1
Visible light decreases locomotor activity in flies under the light phase of blue and green light as compared to their dark phase.
“significantly reduced activity levels under the light phase of blue and green light as compared to their dark phase is observed.”
Model organismsunder the light phase of blue and green light as compared to their dark phase
Biology open
ER unfolded protein response
upin worms1
1 study
ER unfolded protein response
upin worms1
Visible light induces ER unfolded protein response in worms.
“visible light creates photooxidative stress along with a general unfolded-protein response that decreases the lifespan.”
Model organisms
Visible light reduces C. elegans longevity
Nature communications
Oxidative stress and ROS signaling
upin worms1
1 study
Oxidative stress and ROS signaling
upin worms1
Visible light induces oxidative stress and ROS signaling in worms.
“visible light creates photooxidative stress along with a general unfolded-protein response that decreases the lifespan.”
Model organisms
Visible light reduces C. elegans longevity
Nature communications
Funding
1 grant since 2020National Eye Institute$2.3M