Light Pollution Brings Disruption to Teen Sleep, May Lead to Mental Disorders, Too, Study Finds

Blocking light inside the room to help you achieve that "sleep mode" is among the very first things a sleep expert will tell anyone who is having problems with sleep. If you can relate to this, you may want to consider using "light-blocking curtains" in your windows.

On Wednesday, a new research was published in a journal indicating, that adolescents residing in places that have high "outdoor artificial light" levels at night don't get to have enough sleep and are more possible to experience mood disorders compared to teens living with low outdoor light levels.

The said study has long examined the link between indoor artificial light and a person's mental health. However, several other studies have studied the effect of outdoor artificial light, specifically among teens, making it the first research of its kind.

The study authors said, this research has "potentially long-term implications" for one's mental and physical condition.

Even though environmental exposure to light is just one of the many factors in a more complex network of impacts on behavior and sleep, the study's co-author, Kathleen Merikangas said, "It is likely to be essential target deterrence and interference in adolescent health."

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Poor Sleeping Habit in Teens

Health experts say, when a person's 24-hour body clock also known as "circadian rhythm" is interrupted by a change in patterns of sleep or a sleep disorder, it affects both the physical and mental health.

Essentially, science has associated poor sleep, high blood pressure, weak immune system, weight-gain, risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, some cancers and dementia, among others.

Additionally, sleep disruptions and circadian rhythms are associated with several mental conditions, as well, including bipolar disorder, mood changes, anxiety and paranoia.

Sleep hormone melatonin's secretion begins in darkness. A study recently found that the body would slow or even cease production of melatonin when exposed to light.

According to Pharmacology Department Chairman, Paolo Sassone-Corsi, from the University of California, circadian cycle controls" between ten and 15 percent of humans' genes.

Therefore, he continued, the disruption of such cycle can result not in a lot of, not just sleep but health problems, in general.

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Lack of Sleep in Young People

Even though preteens and teens require at least eight to nine hours of sleep, they are least possible to have adequate rest, partly because of today's technology attractions, specifically of mobile devices and social media, on top of their "late-to-bed habits."

Furthermore, over 90 percent of the American high school students are found to be "chronically sleep-deprived, with 20 percent having less than five hours of sleep at night. This was according to a poll which Sleep in America conducted.

Based on research the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted, sleep deprivation is setting young individuals up to be involved in a more dangerous behavior.

Such behavior includes texting or calling while driving, drinking and not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle, among others, than those who sleep between eight to nine hours every night.

Previously-conducted studies on sleep in teens found that less than eight hours each night was linked as well, to migraines, substance abuse, obesity, lack of exercise, depression and thoughts of suicide, to name a few.

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