Light is any electromagnetic radiation that can create a visual sensation by directly stimulating the retinal photoreceptors of the visual system. In addition to enabling vision, these photoreceptors also connect to diverse brain locations through which light triggers biological effects that powerfully regulate human health, performance and well-being.
Exposure to light can improve alertness, influence thermoregulation, and alleviate seasonal and non-seasonal depression. Light is also the main synchronizer of the human biological clock. However, depending on the timing and intensity, light exposure can shift the phase of the circadian rhythm and can regulate the timing and quality of sleep. Light in the evening and at night can disrupt sleep and can cause acute suppression of the nocturnal release of the hormone melatonin. The term “integrative lighting” is used as the official term for lighting that is specifically intended to integrate visual and non-visual effects, producing physiological and psychological effects on humans that are reflected in scientific evidence.
This presentation will outline how to characterize light with respect to its integrative effects, how to identify the right light at the right time in the right place as a means of maintaining and promoting health, performance and well-being, and how to deliver that light in a practical and energy-efficient manner.