Sleeping With Lights On May Disrupt Natural Sleep Patterns

ISLAMABAD: (News Desk) – Sleeping with the lights on may interfere with the body’s natural sleep cycle and affect overall health, according to sleep researchers. Experts say exposure to artificial light at night can disrupt the production of melatonin, a hormone that plays an important role in regulating sleep.

Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland, a small structure in the brain that responds to darkness. The hormone helps regulate the body’s internal clock and supports healthy sleep patterns. Exposure to light during sleeping hours can suppress melatonin production, potentially reducing sleep quality.

Poor sleep and prolonged disruption of the body’s biological clock have been associated with several health concerns, including obesity, diabetes, depression and cardiovascular problems. Some studies have also investigated possible links between nighttime light exposure and cancer risk. However, claims that sleeping with the lights on increases cancer risk by 25% require reliable scientific evidence and should not be presented as an established fact.

Artificial light may also contribute to interrupted sleep, which can affect heart rate and blood pressure. People who prefer some illumination at night are generally advised to use a dim light and avoid bright lighting in the bedroom.

Another claim concerns sleeping on the left side. However, medical evidence does not support the general assertion that this sleeping position is harmful to the heart or routinely causes digestive problems. In fact, sleeping on the left side may help some people experiencing acid reflux, particularly during the night.